Looking for a new job in growth can be very stressful. When you send countless applications and don't hear back, it can be very demoralizing. But keep going, and you will eventually get what you've been waiting for—an interview. A chance to talk about your experience in more detail, present yourself in the best way possible, and learn more about the company.
Over the last 6+ years, we’ve had a fair amount of interviews—both as candidates interviewing for a job and as hiring managers talking with potential new hires. In this post, we want to share some tips we picked up along the way, as well as advice we like to give people when they're interviewing.
In this post, we aim to help you prepare for that important interview with practical advice and best practices. Here's some general advice to start: be prepared, show that you've done your research, and organize your talking points. This preparation goes a long way in presenting yourself to a potential employer. In today's market, you're going to have a lot of competition, especially if you're applying for a remote position that hires globally. That's why a little extra effort can exponentially increase your chances of standing out.
Research the Company and the Position
You should research the company and the industry they're in—especially if it's a new industry for you. You don't need to become an expert just yet, but you should understand what the company does, what the industry is like, and what you would be doing in that position.
Look for job descriptions for similar roles in the industry, and see what skills and expertise companies usually look for. When you know this, you can emphasize those skills in the interview (assuming you have them—don't lie).
Also, getting to know the company better will help you decide if this company/position is interesting to you. After your research, you should be able to answer the “Why do you want to work here?” question with confidence.
Be Open and Engaging
Many candidates approach interviews as an interrogation: the interviewer asks questions, and they respond. This is the wrong approach. An interview is a conversation between two potential colleagues. Try to engage outside of work-related questions—ask the interviewer how they're doing, and what projects they're working on. Look for common ground and ask questions when you want to know more. Let the conversation flow naturally.
Remember, you're trying to learn more about the company, too. This is your chance to get the information you need to decide whether you want to work there. Showing genuine curiosity and engagement can be a positive sign to the interviewer.
Give Clear Answers
When responding, give clear, succinct answers. Answer as directly as possible while ensuring your point is understood. Don't try to hide a lack of knowledge with a long, vague response—it’s usually obvious. If you don’t know how to answer a question, it’s better to say so. If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification. If something is unclear, ask follow-up questions.
Use Examples
When answering questions about specific situations or problems, use actual examples you’ve encountered. This helps the interviewer better understand your experience and shows that you're familiar with similar challenges. Prepare a few examples beforehand so you’re not caught off guard. Think of questions like:
- What problem occurred and why?
- How did you approach it?
- How was it solved?
- What were the key takeaways?
Research Commonly Asked Questions
A simple Google search will give you a list of the most commonly asked interview questions. We recommend preparing answers to at least a few of them. Here are some you can typically expect (or variations of them):
- Tell us a bit about yourself.
- What attracted you to this position and company?
- Describe a situation that went wrong at your last job. What happened, and how was it resolved?
- What are your career interests? Are there specific areas you'd like to develop in?
Experience-Specific Questions
For instance, if you’re in growth marketing, be prepared to answer questions like:
- What kinds of campaigns have you run?
- What kinds of clients did you work with?
- What channels do you have the most experience with?
If you're in product, you might be asked about:
- Features you've worked on and shipped.
We have a more exhaustive list of growth interview questions here.
Final Thoughts
To sum up these tips: be yourself, answer questions about yourself and your experience truthfully, be open, smile, try to relax, and think of the interview as a conversation. Both sides are there to learn more about each other and see if it would be a good match.