The Interview Preparation Notes template is a structured reference to help you confidently recall key talking points during your interview. By organizing your experiences effectively, this tool enhances preparation, reinforces key messages, and ensures clear communication of your skills and qualifications. A well-prepared notes sheet allows you to navigate behavioral questions with clarity and professionalism, whether in a virtual or in-person setting.
Interview Preparation Notes
[Employer Name]
About Me
- Past: What is your background and why are you interested in field/industry? What motivated you?
- Present: What are you doing now and what are your current interests?
- Future: What are your short and long term career goals?
Key Skill Sets
- Research
- Brown & Company – market research, financial valuations, & 10-year product strategy
- McKinsey – Gene therapy local regulation & market research over 10 years
- Data Analysis
- Consulting Associates – Pharma sales analysis (300k+ rows of data)
- ENTER Health – SWOT analysis & data modeling
- Skill Set 3
- Story 1
- Story 2
Core Values
- Ambition
- Teamwork
- Core value #3
Employer Questions
- “What are the immediate priorities for someone in this position over the next 3-6 months?”
- Question 2
- Question 3
About Me
- An elevator pitch lasting no more than 2 minutes long
- Authentically weave in a personal “why” behind your interest in the role.
Key Skill Sets
- Identify the top 3-5 required skillsets from a job description.
- Include a combination of technical and soft skills.
Story Topics
- List 2-3 story topics from your resume / CV that best illustrate each skill.
- Provide enough detail to jog your memory, but keep this as concise as possible. Do not write any storytelling scripts.
Core Values
- Consider 3 values that resonate with your identity as a professional and relate to the job you are applying for.
- Refer to these values if asked questions on motivation, values, and/or why you are interested in the employer or job.
Employer Questions
- Research the company, its culture, and the role. Craft 3-5 personalized questions for each interview.
- Refer to our “Interview Preparation: Interviewee Questions” resource for further guidance.
Using the Interview Preparation Notes
- When asked an interview question, identify the key skill the employer is assessing:
- Example: The employer may ask: “Tell me about a time when you had to explain a technical concept to someone without a technical background. How did you approach it? What was the outcome?”
- In this case, the key skillset being evaluated is communication.
- If this question is asking you about yourself, use the “About Me” guidance
- Example: The employer may ask: “Tell me about a time when you had to explain a technical concept to someone without a technical background. How did you approach it? What was the outcome?”
- Identify a relevant experience from your interview notes that aligns with this skill.
- Answer the question by describing this relevant experience. Structure your response using the START storytelling framework:
- Access the Interview Preparation: START Method resource for more information.
- Ensure your response fully addresses the interview question and the skill assessed.
- Be clear and concise, emphasizing how your skills and experience align with the role.
- Explicitly connect the takeaway to how you can apply this skill in the workplace of your future employer.
- Identify and refer to your “core values” in your preparation notes to respond to any questions relating to your motivations, passion, or values.
- Be prepared to ask the employer 3-5 personalized questions at the end of the interview.
- Develop these questions ahead of time and include them on your interview preparation notes.
