The document provides tips and advice for practicing interview skills. It recommends practicing answering behavioral interview questions to feel more comfortable. The key tips are to use the STAR method to structure answers, research the organization beforehand so answers can be tailored, and focus on how the employer would benefit from hiring the candidate. Sending a thank you note after the interview is also emphasized.

1. Interview Practice
Karen Chontofalsky, Nerdy Girl Career Coach
Interviewing is a practicable skill. The more you practice answering behavioral interview
questions (or questions appropriate to the interview type ­ more on that in future post) ­ the
more comfortable you’ll be. I've attached a link to a best interview preparation tool I’ve found
from careerealism.com (no affiliation ­ I just think that this list is great and have chosen not to
reinvent the wheel).
http://www.careerealism.com/wp­content/resources/the­best­interview­preparation­tool­ever.pdf
You don’t have to script yourself and memorize a pat answer. Most of us are poor actors and if
you sound too “rehearsed” you’ll come off a little boring. Prepare to the point of being
comfortable in answering these questions, but still actively thinking as you speak. Tips for your
practice:
1. Learn and use the STAR method.​ This method will help you answer questions in an
organized, succinct fashion. ​http://lmgtfy.com/?q=STAR+method
2. There's no perfect answer.​ These questions determine fit, motivation, and aim to predict
future behaviors. Give the interviewer the best information you have to help them clarify these
points about you (fit, motivation, your patterns of behavior).
3. Research the organization beforehand.​ Review their website, printed materials, and try to
speak with an employee of the company before your interview (reach out to your network to see
if you can get introduced to a person who works there). This information will help you
understand the employer's needs, the culture, and the daily operations of the organization. ­
which will prepare you to answer questions in a more ​targeted ​way.
4. Think about what is in it for your employer.​ This is a marketing assignment ­ always keep
in mind what the value is for ​them ​and let that be your guide.
Important 3 steps for the end of the interview:
1. Thank them.
2. Get their card.
3. Promptly send a thank you note.
Side note ­ In the prep guide I’ve linked to, I have a preference regarding the first question in the "Ask for feedback" section
(underscoring this is a point of preference, and I am not saying that the article is wrong). I prefer not to ask an employer to pick out
my negative points right before the end of my interview. Your time may be better spent getting the information from them about who
they ARE looking for ­ so you can refer that information in your follow­up thank you letter or future interview rounds. However, if
there is an elephant in the room (like a person on the hiring committee that you’ve had a bad work experience with, or someone who
seems to have a strong objection to you as a candidate) ­ you may choose to ask for that feedback so that you can get it in the open
and address it.