We’ve been lucky enough at Vemo Ed to be interviewing candidates recently. The level of preparation is wildly transparent. One of my favorite gigs working at colleges was to talk with students about interview prep.

This feedback is for general interview scenarios and not case studies, but we can get to that another time. To use a sports analogy, let’s start with the scouting report:

Establish the fit. Understand the product or service and competing products or services. I would coach students to physically write out 2-3 significant industry facts and questions and 2-3 significant product/service facts and questions.

Confirm mission alignment. Find the company’s mission statement and be prepared to state how you align with the company’s values. Prepare to discuss an experience in which you’ve demonstrated each of the values inherent with the mission.

Document skills. Review the job description for the required or desired knowledge or skills. Compare your qualifications to the requirements. LADIES LISTEN CLOSELY: YOU DON’T HAVE TO MEET ALL OF THEM TO APPLY.

Where you are able to meet the desired skills, prepare a statement of proof for each. Be prepared to speak in depth about these. What class or experience gave you these skills? How confident are you in them? Remind yourself of key terms with technical skills (like SQL, stats).

Now you need to prepare to talk about yourself. Put together your highlight reel. Start by practicing the 2 Minute Drill. This will prepare you to answer “tell us about yourself.”

This question often kicks off the interview and you want to show your preparation. The biggest mistake is talking too long or including irrelevant information.

If you’re new in the job market describe your educational path, a couple specific interests about which you’re passionate (and that are hopefully relevant to the position), and how you became interested in the company and industry. This last part is important.

You may be in school or lack deep experience. When asked to talk about your experience, emphasize campus or community involvement that shows commitment. If all else fails, read about the industry and prepare to talk about your passion for learning about and studying [xyz].

Write written responses to common interview questions. When we write things down we realize we don’t understand them as well as we thought. Scripting answers isn't to memorize what we want to say word-for-word, but to ensure we have the complete thought to of mind.

Common questions:
How did you become interested in this company or this field?
How did you select your course of study?
What have you gotten out of your experience with [insert internship, class, team, club]?
What do you hope to learn from this position?

Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
What would your teammates/colleagues/classmates tell us about working with you?
Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision or work with a difficult team?
Who would you provide as a reference?

Note, these are not my favorite questions, but they're everywhere. Being unprepared for these types of questions is a major setback in the interview process.

Next, be ready to ask your own questions. As an interviewer, this is probably my favorite part. That's a lie. My favorite part is when a candidate shows up with suggestions or plans for how to execute their function, but that's a tough bar.

My second favorite part is when a candidate asks great questions. This list is not exhaustive, and is representative only. Start with questions about the company.

What's the revenue model? (if that isn't obvious)
Acknowledge their competitors and ask what advantages and disadvantages this company has?
Ask about employee culture- how do teams communicate?
Ask what the company's biggest near term and long term challenges are.

Follow up with questions about the role.
Is this a new role? If so, what's created the need? If not, what kind of person has been really successful in this role?
What does rock star performance look like? How will success be measured?

What can you start studying, learning, doing today to make you even more prepared to excel in the role?
How does this role fit into the big picture? What's the impact on the company when you succeed?

Ask questions about the interviewer. Flatter never fails . Sad, but true. Make sure it's clear you've researched them and done your homework.

- Make sure you understand their background and ask how their previous experience has been helpful working at this company and in this role.
- How will your role interact with the interviewer?
- What's the interviewer's favorite part about working at the company?

If you're meeting with multiple interviewers it's okay to ask them some of the same questions, but questions should be specific to each person if possible.
Most importantly, be sure you're not asking questions that are answered on the company's website.

Post interview: respect the process. Show gratitude and desire for the opportunity. Send an individual email thank you to each interviewer immediately following the interviews.

In non-covid times, I would also urge you to send a paper note. It won't get there in time to influence immediate decisions, but if you're selected to move forward, it will be great to bolster your case in later rounds of interviews (or if you join the team).

Keep the note formal in style (no exclamation points or emojis). This may sound obvious, but, 2020. Show warmth and connection by mentioning something the interviewer shared with you or taught you. Most importantly, reaffirm your interest and thank them for their time.

Coaches, professors and mentors: formal notecards are a great graduation or birthday gift to job seekers. Bonus if you include some stamps.

And lastly, I’ve got a bunch more questions and tips documented from my years working at colleges and interviewing for my own hiring purposes. Happy to share, just reach out!