Working Backwards From the Job Description

When you’re preparing for an interview…work backwards.

Take a bullet from the job description. Write out 1-2 questions you think they’d ask based on the bullet. Create an answer for that question, memorize it and role play to ensure you’ll ace it. 

Here’s a live example.

This is the bullet from a real job description for an Account Executive:

"Run tight POCs based on business criteria"

Here is the question you’d get asked in an interview:

“The majority of deals we close convert from POCs, walk me through how you’ve converted a deal from a POC in the past”

Here’s a short summary of the beginning portion of the answer:

“Of course. I’ve had an 80% close rate with POCs in the past. The key to each one of these deals was setting clear business success metrics at the beginning with the Economic Buyer, Decision Maker, and Champion. We also included X and Y departments. We had our C-level stakeholder meet with their C-level stakeholder. Here’s the 2-minute summary of how it closed…”

Summary:

Step 1: Take the bullets from the JD
Step 2: Think of how they'd ask question 
Step 3: Write out the answers
Step 4: Memorize them, practice role-playin