Beyond the Basics: Leveling Up Your Job Interview Prep 

So, you’ve landed an interview! You’ve already done the standard job interview prep: examined the job description and navigated the company’s website. But it’s not enough to be qualified in today’s competitive job market. For careers in the consumer packaged goods industry, this fact can’t be more assertive. You must go the extra mile in your job interview prep to set yourself apart and demonstrate that you’re the ideal candidate. Here’s how to elevate your interview preparation:

Effective job interview prep is crucial. Incorporating various strategies into your job interview prep will not only boost your confidence but also your chances of success. Remember, job interview prep isn’t just about rehearsing answers; it’s about showcasing your fit for the role.

1. Deep Dive into Company Culture 

As you engage in your job interview prep, consider how your experiences align with the organization’s mission. This alignment can be a significant talking point during your interview.

Moreover, familiarize yourself with recent news about the company. Understanding recent initiatives or challenges faced by the organization can provide you with insightful talking points during your interview. This indicates your genuine interest and proactive approach.

Effective job interview prep involves understanding the nuances of each company and preparing accordingly.

• Explore their social media: Don’t just look at the company website. Check out their LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. What kind of content do they share? What’s their tone? This will give you a feel for their brand personality. 
• Research employee reviews: Be mindful that reviews can be subjective, but look for patterns and recurring themes. 
• Identify company values: Most companies explicitly state their core values. Understand these and think about how your values align. Be ready to give examples of how you’ve embodied similar values in your past roles. 
• Analyze the competition and bring ideas to improve the company’s competitive advantage over its competitors.
• (Learn more about the Consumer Goods industry in Bentonville, AR, here).

2. Network Your Way to Knowledge 

• Connect with current/former employees: LinkedIn is your friend. Search for people who work or have worked at the company, especially in the department you’re interviewing for. A brief, polite message asking for more information can yield invaluable insights. 
• Attend industry events: If the company is involved in industry events, try to attend. This is a great way to network and learn more about the company’s place in the broader landscape. 
• Leverage your own network: Let your contacts know about your upcoming interview. They might have connections or knowledge that can help. 

Understanding the company’s ethos can also help you prepare your own narrative in a way that mirrors their values. For instance, if a company prioritizes innovation, be prepared to discuss how you’ve contributed to innovative projects in previous roles.

In the networking phase of your job interview prep, establish meaningful connections that can enhance your insights into the company.

3. Master the STAR Method 

Networking is a crucial step in the job interview prep process. Networking with current or former employees can provide you with a great deal of knowledge and will better prepare you for the job interview. This can provide not only background on the company culture but also insight into the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, which you can reference during your interview.

• Structure your stories: The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a powerful tool for answering behavioral interview questions. Prepare specific examples of how you’ve handled challenges, achieved goals, and demonstrated key skills.  Here some great tips by The Muse. 
• Quantify your results: Whenever possible, use numbers to illustrate your impact. Instead of saying “I increased sales,” say “I gained shelf space with 10 new skus.” 
• Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your STAR stories out loud. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview. 

4. Go to the Store and Prepare Thoughtful Questions 

• Part of the job interview prep is to check out the company’s products at Walmart and other retailers. 
• Look at how they are positioned. Who are their competitors? 
• Go beyond the basics: Don’t ask about salary and benefits (save those for later).  
• Ask questions about the company’s strategic goals, challenges, and opportunities. This demonstrates that you’re thinking long-term and show genuine interest in the role and the company’s future. 
• Prepare questions specific to the role and what you saw in the store. Notifying the interview team that you visited the store shows that you’ve done your research. Recruiters in consumer packaged goods value this initiative.

5. Showcase Your Personality 

During job interview prep, focus on how to effectively articulate your experiences using the STAR method, as this will resonate well with interviewers.

In addition to practicing the STAR method, consider engaging a friend or mentor to conduct mock interviews with you. This can help you receive constructive feedback on your responses and overall presentation style, making you more confident and prepared when it comes time for the actual interview.

• Be authentic: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Let your personality shine through. 
• Show enthusiasm: Express genuine excitement about the opportunity. 
• Be professional, but approachable: Aim for a balance between professionalism and warmth. 

Visualize your successes while practicing. This mental exercise can increase your confidence and help you articulate your experiences more clearly, transforming nervous energy into positive enthusiasm during the interview.

You’ll significantly increase your chances of landing that job by going beyond the standard preparation and demonstrating genuine interest, a strong understanding of the company, and a clear articulation of your skills and experience.  

Showcasing your personality during your job interview prep can make you a memorable candidate, so be sure to let your true self shine through.

6. Ask thoughtful questions.

Your job interview prep should also include preparing thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the company’s vision.

Research the competitive landscape as well. Understanding who their main competitors are and how they differentiate themselves can provide context for your questions about the company’s market position and strategy.

Consider preparing a question about how the company has adapted to recent market changes. This shows that you are forward-thinking and aware of broader industry dynamics.

Integrating specific details about the company into your discussions during the interview can be a key aspect of effective job interview prep.

Additionally, demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position by referencing something specific about the company or industry that excites you. This could be a recent innovation, community involvement, or a new product launch that aligns with your values and interests.

At the end of the day, preparation is key. The more comprehensive your preparation, the more likely you are to create a lasting impression. Follow-up with a thank you email, reiterating your interest in the position and touching on a specific point discussed in the interview.