Chapter 07Work & Career

How do I prepare for a job interview?

Research the company's last 6 months (products, news, financials). Re-read the job description and prepare a STAR story (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each requirement. Prepare 4 sharp questions of your own. Practice answers out loud — not in your head. Sleep 8 hours and arrive 10 minutes early.

Follow-up questions

What's the STAR method?

A structure for behavioural answers: describe the Situation, the Task you owned, the Action you took, and the measurable Result. Keep each story under 2 minutes.

What questions should I ask them?

What does success look like in 90 days? What's the biggest challenge facing the team? How do decisions get made here? Why is this role open?

How do I answer 'what's your weakness?'

Pick a real one you're actively working on, with a concrete example of how. Avoid disguised brags like 'I work too hard' — interviewers see through them instantly.

What if they ask salary expectations?

Say your target range based on research; ask what range the role is budgeted for.

Tell me about yourself?

60–90 seconds: present role, relevant past, why this next step.

What is the STAR method?

Situation, Task, Action, Result — a way to answer behavioural questions with a concrete story and a measurable outcome.

Salary question — how to handle?

Deflect until you have an offer. If pushed, give a researched range with the top at your target.

Thank-you email?

Yes — within 24 hours, 3–5 sentences, referencing one specific thing from the conversation.

People also search

  • common interview questions
  • behavioural interview examples
  • what to wear interview
  • star method examples
  • behavioral interview
  • questions to ask interviewer
  • thank you email after interview
  • salary negotiation tips