You know that interview preparation is critical for landing the offer. By now you have probably searched for every interview resource you can find. Since there is a ton of content online, it’s important to quickly identify the best and start preparing. This way you can spend more time getting in the zone and less time searching. In this blog post we will share our top picks for best  job interview prep resources on the web. 

Best resources for navigating the entire interview process

The thought of interviewing can cause anxiety. Therefore you should familiarize yourself with the overall process in advance. This will help set your expectations for the big day.

1. One way to get a handle on the interview process is by watching an interview preparation course. The Job Interview Masterclass by NG Career Strategy is our top pick for a one-and-done prep course. In this workshop, you will learn everything you need to know – from preparation, to the various interview stages, to understanding the hiring manager mindset. Having this knowledge will increase your confidence and decrease anxiety.
2. Another great way to get the lay of a land is by working with an Interview Coach. Some people work best when guided by an expert. If this is you, then working with a coach could be worth the investment. Find an interview coach who has experience on the hiring and/or recruiting side. This will give you an added advantage.

Best resource for reducing interview nerves and increasing confidence

Interviews are uncomfortable and awkward for most job candidates. Having a strategy to manage your mental game will be key. Mental preparation will also be important as you approach your interview. One of our favorite ways to do this is by striking a power pose. According to social psychologist Amy Cuddy, studies have shown that power posing can have major influence on your interview results. Simply “power posing” in a mirror before interviewing, can increase one’s confidence in the job interview. Power poses also have influence on interviewers when selecting candidates. We recommend Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk on power posing. Then give it a try!

Best resources for answering the most common interview questions

Preparing strong answers will be critical for advancing through the interview process. Plan for the standard questions companies use as well as curve ball questions.

1. For a fully comprehensive list check out this list of 120 standard interview questions.
2. Here are 7 interview questions you’ll want to prepare in the event your interviewer reads Entrepreneur.
3. Prep for these 5 curveball questions so you aren’t caught off guard.
4. To get a sense of how to decode what the company is really asking check out this guide.

Best resources for asking smart questions in the interview

While you may be focused on answering questions, it’s also critical to prepare questions of your own. Questioning your interviewer is important for several reasons. First, your questions tell the interviewer that you are interested in the role. Second, strategic questions will help you identify any potential employer red flags. Just as the hiring manager is trying to determine your fit for the company / role – so too will you want to determine if the company / role is a fit for you. Finally, asking smart questions can redeem you if your interview takes a turn for the worst. Smart questions will reveal your industry knowledge/skills. This may reinstate the interviewer’s confidence in you. Bottom line: you need to ask smart questions if you want to land the job. Here are some of the resources you’ll want to use when composing your questions:

1. Here are some examples of smart interview questions courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
2. Download this list of the 20 Best Questions to Ask the Interviewer courtesy of NG Career Strategy Job Search Accelerator.

Best resource for interviewing with top-tier companies (that are difficult to break into)

Interview questions and scenarios have evolved with the growth of the startup culture, stiffer competition and a hunger for top talent. Candidates wishing to work at the “best places to work” should bring their A-game.

1. For the insider scoop on what to expect at top-tier companies like Google, P&G and McKinsey, check out Glassdoor’s guide to interviewing at the top 25 most difficult companies to interview with. While the list is from 2013, you can click into “interviews” to figure out what to expect. For companies like Facebook and Google, you can expect to be asked your opinion on their products.  For example: What is the difference between Facebook and Google Ads? What’s your favorite web browser and why?

Best resources for preparing for behavioral interview interviews

Behavioral interviews are a very specific type of interview that require use of a specific answer formula. Fortunately, the behavioral interview answer formula just so happens to be an awesome formula for answering most questions that come your way. A simple google search for “behavioral interview questions” will deliver back tons of results. However, there’s an even better resource available for keeping your answers organized by skill type.

1. The Behavioral Interview Prep – Master Strategy Worksheet (and accompanying instructional tutorial) is one of the best resources we’ve seen to date. Created by NG Career Strategy this tool is designed to with a comprehensive list of over 100 of the top behavioral interview questions that span 11 behavioral categories from leadership to failure  to problem solving and more. The real value of this worksheet is that you can transfer and build upon your stories from one job to the next – a true career-long resource. The worksheet is only available to Job Search Accelerator members but the low price for membership is totally worth the splurge for this download alone. Take advantage of a Job Search Accelerator discount here!

Best resources for preparing for a panel interview

The dreaded panel interview is enough to put anyone over the edge but not if you have the right preparation strategy.

1. Career Sidekick provides some great tips for getting through interview with the proper etiquette.
2. Since you will need to prepare a mix of questions for everyone on the panel, you’ll want to be organized. This Panel Interview Prep – Question Strategy Sheet is just the guide to help you do this. Implementing this strategy will help you to stay organized and focus your questions accordingly on the day of your panel interview.

Best resources for sending interview follow-up notes

Once your interview is complete, you’ll need to send follow-up thank-you notes. The follow-up is one more opportunity to create a good impression with your interviewers.

1. To keep it simple, we recommend these copy/paste interview thank you templates. The templates come with easy to follow instructions for how to write this critical note as well as actual useable copy for professionals in need of best practices and quick inspiration.
2. If you’re feeling a bit unsure who to follow up with, and how, the Post-Interview Follow-Up Guide is a quick read that covers the entire closing process.

Best resource for managing the post-interview waiting game

One of the top questions we receive from candidates is that of post-interview follow up. What happens when you don’t hear back for weeks? Should you contact the recruiter (again)? The hiring manager? HR? This might possibly be the worst part of the entire interview – waiting and wondering (and assuming you didn’t make the cut). Here’s our top pick for figuring out exactly how to maneuver the post-interview waiting game.

Have other recommendations?

We are always on the hunt for the best of the best job interview resources. If you’ve found a valuable resource that we might have missed, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment below with your top picks.