I spoke for the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) Career Day on May 7.

I was asked to present the content of my Acing the Interview talk in a 45-minute session. I often teach this content as an interactive two-hour workshop, so I distilled the content down to the most important points. It’s the ultimate cheat sheet.

Top 10 Tips for Acing the Interview

Tip 1: Get Comfortable Selling Yourself and Your Value

Welcome to Sales 101

• If you don’t tell your story, nobody else will
• We are taught from a young age not to brag or call attention to ourselves

Tip 2: Understand the Different Types of Interviews

There are several different kinds of interviews

• Initial screening interview or “check the box”
• HR interview – screening out OR selling you on the company
• Interview with hiring manager
• Interview with colleague / collaborator
• Panel interview
• Video interview
• Presentation interview
• Executive interview

Tip 3: Understand the Different Types of Conversations

Adjust your responses to the way the questions are asked

• Short questions = short answers
• Longer questions = longer answers with stories to back up your points 

Tip 4: Have the Right Mindset

It’s all about fit – on BOTH sides

• You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you
• Feel confident about your best skills
• Understand the value that you will bring to the organization
• Be interested, but not attached to the outcome
• Remember that your only goal for that conversation is to get to the next step

Tip 5: Prepare Responses for the Expected Questions

PRACTICE your answers to these questions

• Can you tell me a little about yourself?
• Can you tell me about your last position?
• Why did you leave your last position? (Why are you looking for a new position?)
• What are you looking for in your next position?
• What do you feel is your biggest strength?
• What do you feel is your biggest weakness?
• Can you give me an example of something you are particularly proud of?
• There are a lot of qualified candidates, why should we pick you?

Tip 6: Know Your Stories and Metrics

Behavioral questions are easier to answer if you have practiced these stories

• A success story from your most recent position
• A story where something was going wrong and you turned it around
• A story about your biggest professional achievement (can be from any time in your career)
• A story illustrating your biggest strength
• A story illustrating your biggest weakness

Tip 7: Avoid the Thin Ice

Saying less is always best

• Don’t badmouth a former boss or employer
• Practice uncomfortable answers, e.g., you were fired, you quit, your boss didn’t like you, etc.
• Don’t overshare personal information (kids, health issues, going through a divorce, elder care)

Tip 8: Be Thrilled When Interviews Become Conversations

The best interviews go off topic

• If you didn’t talk too much about your background, that can be a good thing
• If you connected on some topic separate from the job/company, that can be a good thing

Tip 9: Have Questions for Them

Always have a few questions prepared in advance

• Can you share what the interview process is like for this position?
• What are the key skills required for this position?
• What are your biggest priorities?
• What does a day in the life of this position look like? How would I be spending my time?
• What are your immediate challenges?
• What is the company’s near-term strategy and vision?
• What are the company’s strategies for growth?
• Do you have any doubts about my ability or qualifications to do this job well 

Tip 10: Make a Great Impression

Be Professional and Confident

• Dress professionally and comfortably
• Don’t fidget, play with your hair, or ramble on and on
• Breathe! Relax, slow down your speech, and enjoy the conversation