ai-job-search/.claude/skills/job-application-assistant/07-interview-prep.md

framework_version

framework_version
1.0.0

Interview Preparation Guide

STAR Format

Structure answers as: Situation (context), Task (your responsibility), Action (what you did), Result (outcome).

Keep answers to 1-2 minutes. Be specific. End with what you learned or would do differently.

Ready-Made STAR Examples

1. [PROJECT_NAME] ([SKILL_DEMONSTRATED])

S: [CONTEXT - what was happening, what was the problem] T: [YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - what you specifically needed to do] A: [WHAT YOU DID - specific actions, tools, methods] R: [OUTCOME - measurable results, adoption, impact] Use for: "[QUESTION_TYPE_1]", "[QUESTION_TYPE_2]"

2. [PROJECT_NAME] ([SKILL_DEMONSTRATED])

S: [CONTEXT] T: [YOUR RESPONSIBILITY] A: [WHAT YOU DID] R: [OUTCOME] Use for: "[QUESTION_TYPE_1]", "[QUESTION_TYPE_2]"

3. [PROJECT_NAME] ([SKILL_DEMONSTRATED])

S: [CONTEXT] T: [YOUR RESPONSIBILITY] A: [WHAT YOU DID] R: [OUTCOME] Use for: "[QUESTION_TYPE_1]", "[QUESTION_TYPE_2]"

Common Tough Questions

"Why did you leave [previous company]?"

[PREPARE YOUR ANSWER - be honest, forward-looking, no negativity about former employer]

"You don't have [specific skill/experience]."

[PREPARE YOUR ANSWER - acknowledge the gap, bridge to adjacent experience, show willingness to learn]

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

[PREPARE YOUR ANSWER - show ambition aligned with the role's growth path]

"What's your biggest weakness?"

[PREPARE YOUR ANSWER - genuine weakness with concrete mitigation strategy]

"Why this company specifically?"

Customize per company. Must reference: specific projects, company values, market position, or team structure. Never give a generic answer.

Questions You Should Ask Interviewers

About the Role

• "What does a typical week look like in this role?"
• "What would success look like in the first 6 months?"
• "What's the biggest challenge the team is facing right now?"

About the Team

• "How big is the team, and how do you divide work?"
• "What does the development/project lifecycle look like, from idea to production?"
• "How do you onboard new team members?"

About Tech & Growth

• "What's your current tech stack for [relevant area]?"
• "Is there room to grow into more architectural or strategic decisions?"
• "How does the team stay current with new tools and methods?"

About Culture (use these to prevent disappointment)

• "How would you describe the team culture?"
• "What does professional development look like here?"
• "Is there flexibility for remote/hybrid work?"
• "What's the balance between development/new projects and maintenance work?"
• "How would you describe the leadership style in this team?"
• "What do people who thrive here have in common?"

Phone/Video Interview Tips

• Have STAR examples written out (use this file)
• Keep a glass of water nearby
• Smile when speaking (it changes your tone)
• Ask for clarification if a question is vague
• It's OK to take 5 seconds to think before answering
• End with: "Is there anything else you'd like to know about my background?"

After the Application (Best Practice)

Follow-Up Etiquette

• Don't call to "stand out" or to learn more about the role post-submission - this risks a negative impression
• If the employer specified a timeline, respect it and wait
• If no timeline was given and significant time has passed (2+ weeks), a brief call to ask about status is acceptable
• If you have genuinely new, relevant information to share, a short follow-up is fine

Thank-You Notes

• When you receive any update (interview invitation, rejection, or status update), send a brief thank-you message
• Express appreciation for their time and the process
• Keep it short (2-3 sentences)

Roleplay Guidelines

When the user asks for interview practice:

1. Ask which role/company to simulate
2. Start with easy warm-up questions ("Tell me about yourself")
3. Progress to role-specific technical questions
4. Include 1-2 behavioral questions using the competencies from the job posting
5. End with a tough question or curveball
6. After each answer, give brief feedback: what worked, what to sharpen
7. Suggest which STAR example would work best for each question