Don’t Wait for January
It happens every year. As the holidays approach, we all start drafting those ambitious New Year’s resolutions. We tell ourselves, “I’ll start job searching seriously on January 1st.” Or perhaps, “I’ll finally practice my interview skills next month.”
That post-holiday energy is certainly helpful. But successful professionals know the truth: the smartest time to invest in your career is right now. You don’t need a calendar date to start working on your development or interview readiness.
The Outdated Advice Trap
Do you feel like traditional advice, such as “just be yourself” or “dress well,” isn’t enough anymore? If so, you are absolutely right.
The reality is that the interview world has changed. It is rarely just a simple, casual conversation these days. We are seeing new formats, sophisticated technology, and even AI tools. Recruiters now require deeper, nuanced responses that prove your actual capability, not just your personality.
Because of this evolution, there is a high volume of conflicting tips online. Trying to figure out which advice applies to you can be exhausting. It’s tough to know what works for your specific industry or target position.
Prepare for Specific Interview Types
Modern interviews often use mixed structures to strictly test your competence. To prepare effectively, you need to understand the main categories:
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Behavioral Interviews: These require specific examples of past actions. To structure your answer, try the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This framework explains exactly how you handled relevant experiences.
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Situational Interviews: These test your judgment. You are presented with hypothetical future challenges. Here, you must explain how you would handle them to prove your problem-solving process.
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Virtual/Hybrid Interviews: First, this format tests your IT skills. But beyond that, you need strong non-verbal communication adapted for the screen, including camera angles and backgrounds.
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Case Interviews: These require you to think analytically. You have to solve a business problem under pressure, testing your logic and ability to communicate complex ideas.
Trying to prepare for all of this using generalized content is risky. In fact, generic advice often fails precisely when you need tailored guidance the most. Getting clarity on these current demands is the most productive move you can make.
Your Window of Opportunity
Historically, competitor activity dips between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yet, many recruiters are still actively planning for the coming year.
So, choose to work on your interview skills now. Doing so positions you perfectly for when new openings become available in Q1.
This December, Highered is collaborating with Audencia Business School. Together, we are offering a pre-holiday gift to your career: the Mastering Interviews workshop. This exclusive session is scheduled for 4 December at 15:55 CET. Participating will give you a head start on the new year’s hiring cycle.
The workshop is led by highly experienced Career Consultant, Anne-Sophie Berthelot. During the session, you will learn the subtle differences between interview types. You will be equipped for any scenario. Plus, you will have the chance to ask specific questions and get answers live.
Don’t wait until that first call comes in January. You might wish you had started sooner. Instead, make a strategic investment in December. This workshop will refine your techniques and boost your self-assurance, turning anxiety into professional excitement.
