Using Clues From the Job Posting to Prepare for Your Interview

Clues often abound in the job posting, from the title of the position, to the reporting structure, to the duties and qualifications.  For example, words and phrases like “systematize,” “operationalize,” and “systems mindset” usually indicate that an employer wants to explore a candidate’s ability to create structure and order around which others might create and innovate.  When you find these specific themes, rather than preparing to answer a specific question try developing talking points from both your past experience and leadership mindset, and then have those on the ready.  Your prospective employer has painted a rough sketch of its next leader; your job is to show how your personal narrative aligns perfectly with that image.