“I’m not very fond of using ChatGPT to prepare for interviews of any kind, especially not for something as personal as a job interview. However, I’m aware that it can help many people, so I’ll give you some recommendations based on my experience, both conducting interviews and participating in selection processes.”
First of all, it’s important to understand that ChatGPT merely spits out words; you have to interpret what it says using common sense, your experience, and the position you’re aiming for.
So, if you’re wondering how to prepare before going to a job interview, here are the steps:
Step 1: Generate interview questions
Enter the job description into ChatGPT and ask it to suggest possible interview questions. This will help you anticipate what you might be asked and prepare your answers in advance.
Example: “What are some common interview questions for a software developer position?”
Step 2: Practice answers
Use ChatGPT to practice your answers to common interview questions, both technical and behavioral. You can ask ChatGPT to evaluate your answers and provide feedback to improve them.
Example: “Here’s my answer to ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ What do you think, and how can I improve it?”
Step 3: Interview simulation
Conduct full interview simulations with ChatGPT acting as the interviewer. This will allow you to practice in a safe environment and receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
Example: “Let’s simulate an interview for the marketing manager position. Start with typical questions that would be asked in the first round.”
Step 4: Company research
Ask ChatGPT to gather information about the company you’re applying to. Knowing details about the company’s culture, products, services, and recent challenges will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your interest and commitment.
Example: “What information can you give me about XYZ company, and how could I use it to impress during an interview?”
Step 5: Preparation of questions for the interviewer
Generate a list of impressive questions to ask the interviewer. This demonstrates your curiosity and enthusiasm for the position and the company.
Example: What smart questions can I ask at the end of my interview for the data analyst position?
Step 6: Job search tips
Use ChatGPT to get advice on job searching and etiquette during interviews. This includes how to dress, proper body language, and how to follow up after the interview.
Example: “Could you give me some tips on interview etiquette and how to follow up after the interview?”
Step 7: Personal presentation improvement
If needed, ChatGPT can help you draft or improve your elevator pitch, ensuring that you highlight your qualities and experience relevant to the position.
Example: “This is my elevator pitch for the interview. How can I improve it to highlight my achievements and experience?”
Step 8: Customized advice
For an extra edge, you can ask ChatGPT to provide you with personalized advice based on specific information about the company and the position you’re applying for.
Example: “I’m applying for a position at a technology startup that values innovation. What customized advice would you give me for the interview?”
The issue is that interviews are complex and personalized processes, so I recommend focusing on learning more general qualities such as:
How can I use ChatGPT to improve my ability to answer difficult questions?
Use sources like Indeed, LinkedIn, and other specialized resources to identify challenging questions that interviewers typically ask. You can use ChatGPT with prompts like this:
“What are some of the most difficult questions commonly asked in job interviews?”
Among these questions, there are usually gems like ‘What is your greatest weakness?’, so it’s better to start preparing for these types of answers to avoid “blanking out.”
You can always send a prompt like:
“Let’s conduct a simulated interview for the project manager position. Please ask me difficult questions related to project management.”
Or something more generic, like:
“Show me examples of good answers to difficult interview questions.”