How to Prepare for an Interview

By Kenzie Dart, Senior Recruiting Associate, Hawthorne Lane 

Preparing for an interview can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation,  interview prep becomes less about memorizing answers and more about feeling confident speaking about  your experience. This guide walks you through a simple, thoughtful approach to help you walk into your  interview feeling calm, prepared, and confident. 

Step 1: Research the Company 

It’s time to put on your research cap. Spend some time learning about the company and the people you’ll  be meeting with. Review the company’s website, paying attention to the About page, values, and recent  news. This research will help you build your “why,” or why you want to work there, a question that will  almost certainly come up. The more familiar you are with their mission and culture, the more natural and  authentic your answers will feel. You’ll be able to explain not just that you want the job, but why it  genuinely excites you. 

Step 2: Research Your Interviewers 

Once you understand the company, turn your attention to the people you’ll be meeting with. If you know  who you’ll be interviewing with, take a few minutes to look them up on LinkedIn. Seeing their  background, role, and tenure at the company gives you helpful context and may even help you find  common ground. Maybe they’ve worked in a similar role, went to the same undergrad as you, or have  overlapping interests. Little details like this can make it easier to build rapport naturally. Even  understanding their general experience can guide the questions you ask or how you frame your answers. A  few minutes of research can help the interview feel more like a conversation than a strict question and  answer session. 

Step 3: Review the Job Description & Prepare Examples 

Now it’s time to focus on your own experience. Think of the job description as your roadmap. Go through  each responsibility and jot down specific examples from your background that demonstrate those skills.  For example, if the role mentions high level, complex scheduling, you could share a story about a time  when your executive was traveling to London and you had to manage multiple time zones, track flights,  and rebook when a connecting flight was canceled. The key is to provide real examples and details. These  details make your answers memorable and show how you operate in real situations. 

Step 4: Practice Your Elevator Pitch 

“Tell me about yourself” can be deceptively tricky. This is your opportunity to walk an interviewer  through your resume and paint a clear picture of your experience. Aim to keep your response to about 60  to 90 seconds using a simple framework: 

• • Where you’ve been. Briefly summarize your prior experience, highlighting how your studies or early roles led you to opportunities and how your responsibilities grew over time.
  • What you’re doing now. Describe your current role, responsibilities, and who you work closely with.
  • What you want to do next. Explain what you’re looking for and how this role fits into your longer term goals.

This structure helps you tell a cohesive story and often answers follow up questions before they’re even  asked. 

Step 5: Be Ready to Explain Your “Why” 

Why are you looking to make a move? Why this role? Why this company? 

This is where your earlier research pays off. Connect your experience and long-term goals to what  genuinely excites you about the opportunity. A thoughtful, authentic “why” helps interviewers understand 

your motivation and can leave a lasting impression. Just as importantly, keep your answer positive. Even  if you’re leaving a role due to challenges, or lack of growth, frame your response around what you’re  excited to find in your next position. Employers want to hear that you’re motivated by opportunity and  progression, not frustration. 

Step 6: Plan the Logistics 

Whether the interview is virtual or in person, planning ahead will reduce stress. Choose an outfit that  makes you feel confident and polished. A blazer is always a safe bet. For virtual interviews, test the video  link and audio in advance, and set up in a quiet, distraction free space. Joining the link five minutes early  gives you time to troubleshoot and shows punctuality. For interviews in person, map out the location and  build in extra time for traffic or commuter delays. Planning ahead takes the what-ifs and uncertainties off  your mind, so you can focus your energy on walking in confidently and feeling grounded. 

Step 7: Print Your Resume & the Job Description 

As a final step, make sure you’ve printed a few copies of your resume along with the job description.  Most interviewers will have it ahead of time, but it never hurts to be prepared. Having a copy in front of  you can also be helpful for referencing specific roles during the conversation. It’s also helpful to have the  job description in front of you as a guide to ensure you are highlighting the skills and experience that are  most applicable to the role. This is also a great time to make sure you bring a notebook or a few blank  pages that you can use to take notes during the interview. Taking notes is a great way to show your  interest and engagement during the conversation. It demonstrates to the interviewer that you value the  information they are sharing and allows you to reference key points later, whether in your thank you note  or in future conversations as you move forward in the process. 

These steps create a strong foundation for an interview that feels conversational, confident, and genuinely  reflective of who you are. Remember, your resume already caught the employer’s eye. They invited you  to interview because they are interested in your background and genuinely want to learn more about you  and your experience. An interview is really just a conversation to explore fit, alignment, and potential.  The hiring team is hoping you could be the right person for the role just as much as you are hoping it is  the right opportunity for you. Walk in prepared, trust the work you have already put in, and let your  experience and personality come through naturally. 

Kenzie Dart is a Senior Recruiting Associate at Hawthorne Lane. She works closely with both clients  and candidates seeking employment opportunities across the legal and corporate sectors. While she  supports searches across both areas, Kenzie has developed specialized expertise in sourcing direct-hire  talent for law firms across the DMV region, partnering with organizations of varying sizes and practice  areas to identify exceptional candidates. With four years of recruiting experience in Washington, D.C.,  Kenzie brings enthusiasm, compassion, mentorship, and a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to  helping candidates navigate the next chapter of their careers.