The document provides an extensive guide for interview preparation, including researching the company and role, preparing answers to common interview questions, questions to ask during the interview, tips for the interview day such as dress and arrival time, and following up after the interview with a thank you email template. The guide stresses thorough preparation, making a personal connection to the company and role, having specific examples to highlight experiences and skills, and following up to leave a strong final impression.

1. Interview Guide

2. Table of contents
Interview prep
Prepare your pitch
Interview questions
Questions to ask
Interview day
Follow up
Follow up template

3. Interview prep
Do research and take notes
View the company's website
Product: what is the 30-60 second elevator pitch?
Careers: Look at the details of the role you are interviewing for.
What is it like to work there?
About us: when was the company founded? By who?
Research the company on Crunchbase
Funding, employee size, founded date, news, and competitors.
Dive deep into this stuff!
Research the company on LinkedIn
Interviewers: what the backgrounds of the people you are
interviewing with? Do you have anything in common with them
(past employers, college, activities)? Do you have common
connections?
Connections: are you connected with anyone that works there? If
so, speak with them to learn more about the company and role.
Employees in your desired role: what are the backgrounds of the
current employees that are in the role that you are interviewing
for?
Pro tip: send LinkedIn connection requests to the people you
will be interviewing with. In the body of the request write "I am
very excited about the opportunity and I look forward to
speaking with you."

4. Prepare your pitch
Set yourself apart
Pitch the company
What is the company’s value prop?
What is it they are uniquely bringing to the market that no other
company brings?
Who are their competitors? How does the company you are
interviewing for stand out?
Pitch yourself
Be prepared to talk to all the information you have included on
the resume that you submitted for the given job and be
prepared to explain each bullet point with an example -- tell a
story. Remember: Stories sell, information tells! (so don't just list
off what you did, paint a vivid picture!)
Be prepared to talk in specific terms about your interest in the
job and the employer. Be able to answer "Why are you
interviewing for this position?” with a well thought out, articulate
response.
How have your past successes and experiences prepared you to
bring value to the company and success in the role?
Why are you the best fit for the role?

5. Interview questions
Write down and practice your answers to the common
interview questions below
“What’s your biggest weakness?”
Think of a genuine issue you have as well as ways you have
managed to work with/around it (“I’m not naturally a very
organized thinker, but I’ve become very organized on paper and
in my personal space as a result”).
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Be honest about what your greater aspirations are (ex. going
back to school, starting your own business); ambition is a very
desirable trait in an employee.
“Why do you want this job?”
You can answer the question by using it as a way of highlighting
your skills (“I shine in fast-paced, high-pressure situations and
would love to have the opportunity to cultivate my talents here”).
“Why did you leave your last job?”
Don't act bitter or lay blame, as this will make you look
ungracious and hard to work with and try to put a positive spin
on things.
Pro-Tip: Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something.
While you definitely want to seem knowledgeable, don't lie to
make it seem like you know something you don't. You probably
won't fool your interviewer, and admitting to not knowing
something is much more impressive than lying during your
interview.
Common questions you'll be asked

6. Questions to ask
Interviewer specific
"Why did you leave [past employer] to join [company]? How do
you like it here?"
"When you look at the above-average performers and average
or under-performing people on your team, what are the
characteristics of the above-average?"
"What would you say have been the biggest surprises for you
after joining the company?"
Company specific
"What new markets are the company planning to explore in the
next couple of years?” or “What professional growth
opportunities are tailored for this role?” Both show that you
want to be on the same page as the people you’ll be working
for."
"What is the company's growth trajectory? Do you plan to have
another round of funding? If so, what do you plan to using the
funding for? What's the exit strategy?"
Pro tip: talking and listening should be split around 50/50. Don’t
talk 80% of the time, it’s a turn off and doesn’t show that you’re a
good active listener. Also, ask questions to bond with the
interviewer and project your enthusiasm. Inquire about his/her
position and background.
Prepare 5+ questions

7. Interview day
The basics
It's better to overdress than underdress. We always
recommend that you wear a suit.
Get a good nights rest and show up to the office 15
minutes early. (General life tip: 5 minutes early is on
time, "on time" is late).
Bring positive energy and smile.
Be honest. The company will likely do backdoor
reference checking.
Sell yourself
Explain why you are the perfect fit for the job. #own-it!
The more you prepare and research the better off you'll
be.
Be articulate. Keep answers short and simple, and back
up points with examples.
The close
Ask each interviewer if they have any hesitations moving
forward with you. Reiterate your excitement about the
opportunity. Ask them about next steps.
Some tips

8. Follow up
Follow ups are extremely important
Collect business cards from everyone you speak to.
Send follow up emails within 24 hours and send hand
written cards too! Even if you don't move on, the hand
written cards make an impact and you never know you'll
come across again later in your life and career.

9. Follow up template
Hi [First name],
Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to
meet me and discuss the [position] currently available at
[company name].
I enjoyed learning about the [product / service].
Obviously, to sell [product/service] to prospective customers,
one has to be good at prospecting, connecting with leads and
demonstrating that he or she understands their situation to gain
the trust needed to move forward.
I believe that I can bring these strengths to your organization;
-First, you recall my [your background].
-Second, my success [XYZ] gave me a more comprehensive
understanding of real business issues. I feel this will allow me to
map [company’s product] to customer needs very professionally
and efficiently.
-Finally, I have the drive to learn the solution offering, the
[market] and [company name] culture as the means to ensure
my success as part of your team.
If you have any feedback or questions that were left unanswered
from our meeting, please let me know.
Again, thank you so much for your time and the opportunity. I
look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Kind regards,
[Your name]

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