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How to Prepare for a Job Interview
- lee-ann86
- Jul 4
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Stepping into a job interview can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re new to the workforce or haven't been in a job interview for years. The good news is that with the right preparation, you can walk in confident and ready to impress.
At Prairie Skills Employment Services, we specialize in helping people prepare for a job interview, write resumes, develop their careers, and find jobs, so we know what works! Keep reading to gain expert advice, tips, and resources to guide you on how to prepare for a job interview so you can "Ace that interview".
Why it's Important to Prepare for a Job Interview
Why put so much effort into preparing for a job interview? Even for an entry-level position, employers notice when a candidate is prepared and enthusiastic. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience or a degree, by taking time to get ready, you’ll calm your nerves and stay on topic, leaving a strong first impression – all of which are critical to getting the job!
Before the Interview: Prepare Yourself
The real work starts before you ever enter the interview room. Here are some key steps to take in advance to set yourself up for success:
Know Your Strengths and Story: Think about what makes you a great candidate. What skills or qualities do you have that fit the job? You might not have job experience yet, but you probably have transferable skills – for example, being punctual, friendly, or able to solve problems. Maybe you’ve led a project in school, helped family on a farm, did your own home renos or handled money at a volunteer event. These experiences are part of your story. Be ready to explain who you are and why you’d be a good fit for the role. This self-reflection will help you answer questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “What are your strengths?” with confidence.
Research the Company and Role: Spend some time learning about the employer. Check their website and their social media profiles or ask someone who works there. Understand what the job involves. Being able to mention a couple of facts about the company or to explain why you want that specific job shows the interviewer you’re genuinely interested. It can be as simple as, “I know your restaurant prides itself on fast, friendly service, and my previous co-workers always commented on how speedy I was with my tables”
Practice Common Interview Questions: One of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to practice answering questions. Client advisors at Prairie Skills Employment Services can do mock interviews with you to help you prepare – or even practice in front of a mirror.
Have Your Materials Ready: Don’t scramble at the last minute. The night before, print out a few copies of your resume to bring with you or make sure it's ready as a PDF to attach to an online chat if doing a virtual interview. Also prepare a small list of references in case you’re asked.
Taking these steps before the big day will boost your confidence and help calm your nerves. You’ll walk into the interview knowing you’ve done your homework, which means you can focus on making a great impression instead of worrying about the basics.
Interview Day: Making a Good First Impression
The day of the interview has arrived, and now it’s time to shine. From the moment you step in (or even onto the video screen, if it’s a virtual interview), you want to show that you’re professional, punctual, and polite. Here are some day-of tips to help you make a strong first impression:
Dress Appropriately: Aim to look neat and professional. You don’t need expensive clothes – just clean, well-fitted, and appropriate for the job. For many entry-level jobs, business-casual attire is a safe bet. This could mean a collared shirt or blouse, and nice pants or a skirt (avoid torn jeans or graphic tees). If you’re applying in a trade or a place with a uniform, you can wear something simple and presentable like a plain shirt and clean pants. The goal is to show respect for the opportunity. No hats, slogan tees, ripped jeans. Also, remember to shower and wear deodorant.
Prep for Virtual Interviews: When doing a virtual interview be mindful of your background. Make sure it's not too busy or cluttered and do not use creative filters on your camera. Also, make sure you can not be disturbed so inform people you are doing an interview and not to bother you. Being in a dedicated closed room is ideal.
Arrive Early: Plan to get to the interview site about 10–15 minutes early. This gives you a cushion in case of traffic or other delays, and it shows the employer that you’re punctual and reliable. If the interview is virtual, “arrive early” by logging in a few minutes before the start time, so you’re ready when the interviewer joins and can sort out any computer/online glitches.
Bring What You Need: Copies of your resume, your reference list, and any other documents you were asked to bring (Examples of work, portfolio, certificates, etc.). It’s also smart to carry a pen and a small notepad in case you need to jot down something. Bringing a water bottle is ok. Make sure all items you bring are in a neat and professional looking backpack or bag with little else in it. You don't want to be riffling around for a pen or pulling out personal items. It shows that you’re organized and prepared.
Silence Your Phone: Nothing spoils an interview faster than a phone ringing or buzzing constantly. Turn off or silence your phone as you arrive (and double-check it’s on silent, not just vibrate, which can still buzz loudly.
Stay Calm and Positive: It’s normal to feel a few butterflies in your stomach – that means you care! Remind yourself that the employer liked your application enough to invite you – they want to get to know you better. Walk in with a confident posture, and smile when greeting people. A friendly demeanor can go a long way in making a positive first impression.
By following these day-of tips, you’ll start the interview off on the right foot. You’ll come across as responsible, respectful, and prepared – qualities every employer appreciates in a new hire.
During the Interview: Put Your Best Foot Forward
Now it’s show time – the interview itself. This is your chance to let the interviewer see your personality and learn about what you have to offer. It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous, but try to channel that energy into enthusiasm. During the interview, focus on listening carefully and responding thoughtfully. Here are some tips for when you’re face-to-face (or on a video call) with your interviewer:
Start with a Polite Greeting: First impressions happen fast, so make yours count. Offer a firm but friendly handshake (if in person), and smile. Remember to maintain eye contact as you greet – it shows respect and helps build a connection. If virtual, make a point to look at each attendee.
Be Yourself – and Be Confident: Let your positive attitude shine. Speak clearly and be honest in your answers. It’s okay if you need a moment to think about a question – say something like, “That’s a great question, let me think for a second.” Interviewers appreciate thoughtfulness. If you don’t have direct experience to talk about, it’s fine to mention life experiences or skills you’ve gained elsewhere (school, family life, volunteering, hobbies) and how they make you a good fit. Show enthusiasm for the role and the company – employers often hire the candidate who seems most eager and genuinely interested.
Listen and Answer Carefully: Pay close attention to each question the interviewer asks. If you’re not sure you understood, it’s perfectly okay to ask for clarification (“Do you mean…?”). Keep your answers focused and positive and don't rush. You can even say, “I’m sorry, I lost my train of thought. Could you please repeat the question?” Interviewers are human too and they understand nerves. You're not on a timer so it's ok to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts.
Watch Your Body Language: How you sit and act can be just as important as what you say. Try to sit up straight and face the interviewer to show you’re engaged. Make eye contact and nod occasionally to show you’re listening. Avoid crossing your arms (which can look defensive) or fidgeting with things like your hair, a pen, or your clothing.
Ask Questions and Show Interest: Usually at the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. Always have one or two questions ready. This is another chance to show that you’re truly interested in the job. You might ask about what a typical day looks like for the role, or inquire, “What qualities make someone successful in this position?” Avoid jumping straight into questions about pay or time off in the first interview – those can come later. By asking thoughtful questions, you show that you’ve done your research and are picturing yourself in the role.
What matters most is showing that you’re respectful, eager to learn, and a good fit for their team. By the end of the interview, you want the interviewer thinking, “This person might not have a ton of experience, but they’ve got a great attitude and potential.”
Common Interview Questions and How to Use the STAR Method
Scared of the unknown and what they may ask you? Knowing some of the most common interview questions can help you when wondering how to prepare for a job interview and feel more confident. Start by doing some self-reflection on your work history and what stands out to you about what you like, dislike, or are good at. It may be helpful to ask a friend, family member or co-worker to describe you. It may also be useful to research the company and find out what they do, who they serve, and what values they have. Here are some of the most common interview questions:
Tell me about yourself? Prepare a statement in advance that talks about who you are as a person, describing your work ethic, skills, any work or education accomplishments, and what has led you to applying for this job i.e. career change, relocated, wanting to grown professionally.
What made you want to apply for this position? Don't just say the practical facts like need to make money. Instead research the company and find something about them that interests you. Or talk about what draws you to that particular role or what stage you are at in life and how this job fits with your goals.
Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses. Even when talking about weaknesses, try and give examples of how you managed that weakness and how you have improved or are working on improving.
Why did you leave your last position? You don't have to give details. If you were fired or let go say something like "The manager and I weren't seeing eye-to-eye on certain matters and it was decided it was best for me to look elsewhere" or "I wasn't the right fit for the type of work they were asking me to do" or "The organization was moving in a different direction, and it presented a natural opportunity to part ways so I could find something more aligned with my values.
Tell me about a challenge or conflict you overcame at work? Describe an experience where you had to use problem solving skills to fix an issue or interpersonal skills on how you handled a conflict with a co-worker. Never bad-mouth, the point is to show how you dealt with these things positively and the positive outcome.
Why should we hire you? Don't be shy, this is your time to highlight all of your good and relevant skills for the job or to show how enthusiastic you are about this opportunity. Even if you don't have all the qualifications they are looking for, address that by saying "I may not have a diploma in business admin but with my 10 years of admin experience and passion for customer service I see myself as a good fit for this role"
Can you explain this employment gap? Whether it was traveling, raising children, or an illness, tell the truth but also describe the skills you gained during this time eg. time management, multi-tasking, resilience.
What Motivates you? Try and keep the answer work-related talking about projects or programs that excited you or aspects of the job that you like. Maybe it's working with people, learning new skills, helping the community, or simply making things and seeing the finished product.
If you'd like to go over more common interivew questions, contact an advisor at Prairie Skills Employment services and we'd be happy to help you prepare for a job intereview.
Using the STAR method when answering questions is also really helpful. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. In simple terms, it's anwering a question by giving an example (situation), what was asked of you, your role (task), what you did about it (action), and the outcome or lesson learned (result). Here's an example:
Tell me about a time you solved a problem at work.
Answer (STAR):
Situation: At my last job in retail, we were frequently running out of a popular item.
Task: I wanted to help reduce customer frustration and missed sales opportunities.
Action: I started tracking sales patterns and presented the data to my manager suggesting we adjust our ordering schedule.
Result: My manager was happy I took initiative to fix the issue and implemented the change. Out of stock notifications dropped by over 50% in the next month.
After the Interview: Follow Up
Congratulations, you made it through the interview! Now what? The steps you take after an interview can leave a final positive impression and even give you an edge over other candidates. Here’s how to handle the post-interview phase:
Send a Thank-You Note: It’s highly recommended to send a brief thank-you message to your interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Email is usually best (since it’s fast). Thank them for their time and express your continued enthusiasm for the opportunity. For example: “Thank you for meeting with me today. I enjoyed learning more about the team and I’m very excited about the possibility of working with you at XYZ Company.” This follow-up shows professionalism, good manners, and genuine interest.
Prepare for Next Steps: Have your references ready in case the employer asks for them after the interview. Be sure those reference people know you had an interview and might be contacted, so they can be prepared to speak on your behalf.
Stay Patient (and Keep Job Searching): Waiting to hear back can be the hardest part. Give the employer the time they indicated for a decision (if they said “we’ll let you know by next week,” then wait until next week). If you don’t hear anything by the expected time, it’s okay to send a polite follow-up email to check in. Something like: “I’m following up to see if there’s any update on the hiring decision. I’m still very interested in the position at your company.” Until you get an offer, continue applying to other jobs as well. It’s smart to keep your options open.
Get feedback: If you don't get the job, it's helpful to contact the employer and ask why. Say something like "Thank you again for the opportunity, I was wondering if you could tell me why you chose to go with someone else and if you had any feedback for me on how I could possibly improve in my next interview?"
Employers will appreciate your courtesy and enthusiasm, and you’ll be better prepared for whatever comes next – whether it’s a job offer (yay!) or another interview opportunity.
Contact Prairie Skills Employment Services if you would like more help preparing for an interview or to get some practice with a mock interview
Your success is our priority – and we’re only an email or a phone call away. Let PrairieSkills help you gain confidence, ace your interviews, and land that job. We’re excited to be a part of your journey to career success – reach out today!
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