Preparing For a Last-Minute Interview? 4 Steps to Maximize Your Time

By Rachelle Enns on July 21st, 2021

In this guide, Mock Questions shows you how to optimize your time when you have a short runway to prepare for a last-minute interview. We give you 4 steps to maximize your time. We also provide a sample schedule you can follow to stay on track. You don't have a lot of time, so let's get to it!

CONGRATS! YOU'VE BOOKED A LAST-MINUTE INTERVIEW. NOW WHAT?

When preparing for a job interview, we suggest spending at least 3 hours learning about the hiring company and researching the opportunity. In addition to this, it's essential to spend a few hours practicing your interview answers and tailoring them to the hiring company.

All in all, a well-prepared candidate will often spend up to a dozen hours preparing for one job interview. This commitment will vary depending on the job title, the industry, and how well prepared you are for a career change.

Some recruiters and hiring managers will invite you for a job interview at the last minute. In these instances, you won't always have a dozen hours of preparation time to give. If this is the case for you, here are some steps to get you on the right track!

Begin preparing for your interview by getting to know the hiring company. Your research should go far deeper than the home page of the company's website.

First, review the company's entire website and immerse yourself in the following:

• Values, mission, and stand-out phrases related to purpose/culture.
• Company history, including executive team bios.
• Products and services offered.
• Recent news mentions, industry releases, and other PR-related info.

Next, review the company on LinkedIn and any other social media platform to get an idea of its online persona. Spend your time on the platform that the hiring company prioritizes. For instance, if the company tweets every day, and their last Instagram post was two months ago, spend your time on their Twitter profile. Observe how they engage with the public on social and familiarize yourself with the company's tone.

Last, look for your interviewers' profiles on LinkedIn. When you have some context on the background of the decision-makers, it can help you feel more at ease in your interview. You can tailor some of your interview answers to speak to their experiences and interests when appropriate. Warning - don't be creepy about it! You can mention that you went to the same college, but not that you both have dogs named Rex. 

Beyond a list of to-do's and responsibilities, a job description will tell you a lot about the hiring company's needs. When you comb through the job description, take the time to read between the lines and uncover any problems that you should be ready to solve when hired.

A hiring company will give preference to the candidate who portrays themselves as a problem solver. What challenges is the company facing, and how will you soothe these once they hire you?

Here is a sample from an Account Manager job posting. Underlined are sentences and phrases spotlighting the company's needs and challenges:

It's clear, after analyzing this job posting, that the hiring company is growing quickly. They need to find an agile problem solver who loves processes and understands the psychology behind effective selling. The company wants an entrepreneurial-minded person who understands the unique challenges of a fast-growth startup environment.

Now that you have identified the company's primary pain points and specific challenges, you know where to focus your interview prep time. It's most likely that your interview will center around how you can meet these particular challenges.

Now that you understand the company's mission and values and you have identified their most significant challenges, it's time to highlight what makes you the best person for the job.

Consider how your background, experiences, accomplishments, training, and education make you the best match.

You should know your resume pretty well; however, it's still an essential step to review your work history before attending an interview. Rather than simply reading your document aloud, spend your time reading your resume from the hiring company's perspective.

If you have limited time to prepare for your job interview, try tackling some questions that you are nearly guaranteed to be asked by the interviewer.

These questions are common and will act as an excellent foundation for preparedness.

General interview questions to prepare for:

1. What do you know about our company?
2. Tell me about yourself.
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. Talk about your related experience and education.
5. Why should we hire you?
6. What are your compensation requirements?
7. What is your greatest strength?
8. What is your biggest weakness?
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
10. Why are you leaving your current position?/Why did you leave your most recent position?

Behavioral interview questions to prepare for:

1. Talk about a time when you faced conflict in the workplace.
2. Describe a time when you exceeded expectations.
3. Tell me about a time when you succeeded under pressure.
4. Walk me through a time when you had to prioritize multiple tasks.
5. Give me an example of a time you were persuasive in the workplace.
6. Talk about a recent goal you have set for yourself.
7. Describe a time when you received constructive criticism.
8. Tell me about your proudest professional accomplishment.
9. Walk me through a time when you had to react to a situation quickly.
10. Give me an example of a time when you failed at something.

We recommend responding to behavioral and situational interview questions using the STAR answer method. If you want to learn more, check out Mock Questions' guide on mastering the STAR interview approach.

LAST-MINUTE INTERVIEW PREP: SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Use this sample schedule to optimize the limited time that you have. Set a timer for each task and concentrate on completing one step at a time.

Company Research: 1 hour

Position Description Review: 30 minutes

Resume Review: 30 minutes

Practice Questions: 2 hours

Total: 4 hours

CONCLUSION

When you book a last-minute interview, it's easy to feel flustered and forget the necessary steps in your preparation process. Here are some additional ways to set yourself up for a successful interview:

• Has the interviewing company employed anyone in your network? If so, send this person a quick note or give them a call. Ask if they have pointers to help you succeed in your interview. This person can outline what to expect, giving you a helpful advantage.
• Choose your interview outfit ahead of time. Make sure it's clean and wrinkle-free. Evidence of self-care goes a long way in a job interview, regardless of whether the meeting is virtual or in-person.
• Being late and flustered is never a good look! If your meeting is in-person, be sure you have the correct address and have mapped out your commute. Give yourself additional time for unexpected hiccups.
• Give yourself the necessary time to rest. A weary mind will not perform well under pressure. Nothing can replace some solid zzz's the night before a job interview.

There you have it! If you don't have 12 hours to dedicate to your job interview prep, be sure to break down your time wisely. You've got this!

If you need more ideas for common interview questions, check out Mock Questions' Common Interview Q&A set with 30 common interview questions and 200+ sample answers.