Interview Preparation: Step One - Analyse the JD
How much time do you spend reading the job description (JD) when applying for jobs and preparing for interviews? How often do you refer to the JD throughout the interview process?
As a recruiter, I always encourage candidates to carefully re-read the JD and think of specific, concrete examples that showcase their skills for the role.
When we receive a job opening as recruiters, our first step is to analyze the JD. During the job intake meeting, which is the initial discussion between hiring managers and recruiters, we verify and align all the information related to the position, particularly the Role, Responsibilities, and Requirements (R&R&R). We discuss the role's level, any flexibility around that, the scope, main responsibilities, and top challenges, as well as the must-have and nice-to-have competencies.
Here's the thing: when we ask about the requirements for the role, hiring managers often list all the competencies they can think of, including technical skills, experiences, knowledge, and soft skills. Most of the time, both parties understand that the ideal, perfect candidate doesn't exist. Consequently, we have to make trade-offs. We list the competencies in the JD and assign priorities or weight scores to them. Some are bottom lines (must-haves), while others are nice-to-haves.
So the truth is, you don't need to meet all the qualifications listed in the JD to apply for the job! It's also okay to apply for a position that seems too junior or senior compared to your experience, as companies may have the flexibility on the level based on your background. I have seen many cases where the JD states "at least 5 years of experience...", but we ultimately hired candidates with 10+ years of experience. Years of experience are just a rough reference; leveling depends on your competencies.
What Should You Do With JDs?
Read them thoroughly, ensuring the company and position align with your interests and career aspirations, and evaluate whether you're qualified for the role.
JDs can vary in format and focus, but most provide information about the company's business, culture, mission, hiring team's function, position scope, impact, responsibilities, and role requirements. JDs may also include benefits, salary ranges (where mandatory to disclose), and accommodations if needed.
Skill-Based Interview Preparation
Don't stop there! Analyze the requirements and connect those competencies to your experiences. Here's an example of skill-based interview preparation (Sample JD link)
Step 1 - Thoroughly read the "Requirements" section and list all possible competencies. You can also use ChatGPT to help identify the top 10 or 15 competencies but double-check whether the given competencies align with the JD.
Step 2 - Categorize the competencies under "Tool/Software/Certifications", "Experience", "Knowledge", and "Soft Skills" so it's easier to see the full picture.
Step 3 - Rate your experience and prepare specific examples according to each competency. Design your own rating system to help you objectively assess yourself. Again it's okay not to meet all the qualifications.
Step 4 - Use Google or AI technology to generate potential interview questions based on the competencies. Practice with these questions and remember to share specific, concrete examples that demonstrate your skills. For example:
[To assess account management] Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a key account and the strategies you used to grow the relationship?
[To assess communication skills] Describe a time when you had to communicate complex information to a diverse group of stakeholders. How did you ensure your message was clear and well-received?
[To assess adaptability] Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change or unexpected challenge at work. How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
Note: you don't have to follow the exact steps, but you get the idea.:)
This is just the beginning of the interview preparation process. After this, dive into industry trends, the company's business status, new breakthroughs, challenges, and company culture. Read recent relevant news, follow their social media accounts, and check team members' LinkedIn profiles. Prepare questions for the interviewers… This could be very time-consuming. That's why I somewhat disagree with the approach of applying for as many jobs as possible, hoping that the more you apply, the more interviews you’ll get. Instead, I believe in choosing the right battles and preparing well. Your time is limited, use it wisely.
