t’s June, and that means graduation time! It’s job search season. It may be just a summer job, a first job after college, or a new step in your career. Whatever it is, interviewing is a critical step to get you there.
Sometimes you are being interviewed without realizing it. There are companies that ask the security guard and the receptionist their impression of you. This happened to my son years ago during a BBQ. The good news is, he landed his first babysitting job!
Obviously, a goal of the interview is to land the job. Another goal should be to figure out if that job is right for you. Remember that in any interview there are only 3 real questions that they(and you) are trying to figure out:
1. Can you do the job? Do you have the skills, knowledge, and experience?
2. Do you want to do the job? Do you have the interest, passion, and motivation?
3. Do you fit? Are you someone who matches the culture of the company? Do I want to work with you?
How to Answer Each Question
Can you do the job? This is where you prove it. Don’t just list responsibilities—share results. Use specific examples that show impact. Think: what have I done that demonstrates I can succeed in this role?
Do you want to do the job? This is about intention. Show that you’ve done your homework and connect your interests to their needs. Be specific about why this role, this company, and this moment make sense for you.
Do you fit? Fit is about how you work with others. Share stories that demonstrate your approach to collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Be authentic, people can tell when you’re trying too hard to match what you think they want.
Why These Three Questions Matter (To Them—and To You)
Hiring managers are trying to reduce risk. They want to know if you can deliver, if you will stay engaged, and if you will be someone they enjoy working with.
But this is not a one-way evaluation. You should be using these same three questions to assess them. Will you succeed here? Will you enjoy the work? Will this environment bring out your best?
Here are a few questions you can ask to make this determination for yourself:
To assess if you can do the job
→ “What does success look like in the first 90 days?”
→ “What do you think is the most important skills or character trait that will lead to success in this role?”
To assess if you want the job
→ “What excites people most about working here?”
→ “What is one thing you would change about the company or culture?”
To assess fit
→ “How would you describe the team culture and how people collaborate?”
→ “What type of personality is happiest here?”
The quality of your questions reflects the quality of your thinking.
The Hidden Interview Moments
From the moment you walk in or log on, you are being evaluated. How you treat people, how present you are, and how you engage all contribute to the impression you leave. Those informal moments often carry as much weight as your formal answers.
Get Interview Ready
If you are like most people, interviews can be anxiety producing. To calm your nerves, prepare.
- Identify two to three stories that demonstrate your skills.
- Research the company beyond their website.
- Clarify in your own mind, why you want this specific role.
- Prepare thoughtful questions.
And most importantly, practice out loud so you can show up confident and natural.
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I want you to enjoy the interview because you are prepared and can be yourself. Practice interviewing, use online resources, and reading a book about interviewing won’t hurt either. You can check out my book, Nail the Interview, Land the Job: A Step-by-Step Guide for What to Do Before, During, and After the Interview.
Interviewing well doesn’t just open doors, it helps you walk through the right ones. And when you can clearly answer those three questions, for them and for yourself, you don’t just get the job, you get the right job.