Creating a Professional Job Interview Outline

Note: Want to skip the guide and go straight to the free templates? No problem - scroll to the bottom.
Also note: This is not legal advice.

Introduction

Creating a professional job interview outline is the key to making a strong impression and ensuring that the process runs smoothly. A well-structured timeline and plan of topics will ensure both the interviewer and candidate know what to expect, allowing for an orderly discussion which doesn’t miss any important points.

By having an effective job interview outline, the interviewer can get to know the candidate on a deeper level, finding out about their skills, experience and career goals; helping them make a more informed decision. Likewise, a successful interview will leave candidates feeling positive about their experience and help them demonstrate their enthusiasm for the role.

The Genie AI team has designed an open source legal template library which utilises millions of datapoints to identify market-standard interview outlines. With access to our community template library, anyone can draft and customise high quality legal documents without paying costly lawyer fees. By using this guide you do not need to have a Genie AI account - we just want everyone to benefit from our resources!

So if you want step-by-step guidance on how to create your own professional job interview outline– or simply need advice on accessing our free template library – visit us today for all your needs!

Definitions (feel free to skip)

Job Description: A written document outlining the requirements, duties, and qualifications for a specific job role.
Research: The process of gathering information about a particular topic or issue.
Goal: A desired result or outcome that someone wants to achieve.
Résumé: A document that outlines a person’s work experience, qualifications, and skills.
Cover Letter: A document that accompanies a résumé and provides additional information about the applicant.
Questions: A sentence or phrase used to obtain information.
Answers: A response to a question.
Practice Interviews: A simulated interview used to prepare for a real interview.
Dressing Appropriately: Choosing clothing that is suitable for the situation.
Follow-Up: Taking an action after a prior event or activity.

Contents

• Analyzing the Job Description
• Explaining the importance of thoroughly reviewing the job description and understanding the job requirements and duties.
• Researching the Company
• Explaining the value of researching the company and its culture to gain insight into the type of questions to ask and how to best prepare for the interview.
• Developing a Goal
• Explaining the importance of developing a goal for the interview and how to craft it.
• Drafting a Résumé
• Explaining how to structure a résumé and what to include in it.
• Drafting a Cover Letter
• Explaining how to structure a cover letter and what to include in it.
• Listing Questions
• Explaining the types of questions to ask and how to structure the interview.
• Listing Answers
• Explaining how to prepare answers to the questions, including the value of tailoring answers to the company and the position.
• Practice Interviews
• Explaining the value of practice interviews, how to find someone to practice with and the importance of feedback.
• Dressing Appropriately
• Explaining the importance of dressing appropriately for the job interview and how to do it.
• Follow-Up
• Explaining the importance of following up after the interview and how to do it.

Get started

Analyzing the Job Description

• Read through the job description thoroughly and make note of any key requirements, duties, skills, and/or qualifications
• Research any industry-specific terminology or abbreviations used in the job description
• Identify any specific qualifications and/or requirements that are relevant to the position
• Make sure you understand the job duties and expectations
• Ask any questions about the job description that you may have
• When you are satisfied that you have a comprehensive understanding of the job description, you can move on to the next step.

Explaining the importance of thoroughly reviewing the job description and understanding the job requirements and duties.

• Read the job description carefully and take notes
• Highlight any requirements and duties that stand out
• Look for any special qualifications that are needed
• Research to learn more about job duties and requirements
• Ask questions if there is anything that you don’t understand
• When you feel confident that you understand the job duties and requirements, move on to researching the company.

Researching the Company

• Visit the company’s website and read through all relevant information
• Use online job boards, such as Glassdoor, to read reviews and ratings from current and former employees
• Follow the company’s social media accounts to get a better sense of their culture and values
• Research recent news stories and press releases related to the company
• Check out the company’s competitors and industry trends
• Ask people in your network who have knowledge of the company

Once you’ve completed the research and have gathered the necessary information, you can move on to the next step.

Explaining the value of researching the company and its culture to gain insight into the type of questions to ask and how to best prepare for the interview.

• Look up the company’s website and read through the information they provide
• Look up recent news related to the company and their industry
• Check out their social media accounts to gain insight into their culture
• Read reviews from current or former employees to get a better understanding of the company
• When you’re done, have a good understanding of the company’s mission and values, their industry, and the types of questions you can ask during the interview
• You will have completed this step once you have a better understanding of the company and its culture.

Developing a Goal

• Think about the job you’re applying for and the skills, qualities, and experiences you have that makes you a great fit
• Identify one or two key points that you want to be sure to communicate during the interview
• Decide in advance what you need to accomplish in the interview and how you plan to do that
• Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer
• Practice talking about your goals and relevant experience to prepare for the actual interview
• Consider the tone that you want to set during the interview
• You can check this off your list when you are confident in your goal and have a list of questions to ask the interviewer.

Explaining the importance of developing a goal for the interview and how to craft it.

• Decide on the overall purpose of the job interview, such as getting to know the candidate and determining if they are a good fit for the job.
• Think of measurable objectives, such as understanding a candidate’s experience, qualifications, and skill level.
• Make sure your goal is specific and relevant to the job opening.
• Have a list of questions prepared that will help you to achieve your goal.
• Consider the type of information you need to gather and design your questions accordingly.

Once you have developed a goal for the interview and crafted the questions, you can move on to the next step of drafting a résumé.

Drafting a Résumé

• Brainstorm and list down your work experience, education, skills, and any other relevant information
• Create a rough copy of your résumé by organizing the information into different sections
• Refine the résumé to make sure the most important points are listed first and that the language is clear, professional, and concise
• Check for any typos, inconsistencies, and remove any unnecessary information
• When you’re happy with the final version, save the document in the appropriate format (PDF, Word Doc, etc.)

You’ll know you can move on to the next step when your résumé is drafted and saved.

Explaining how to structure a résumé and what to include in it.

• Create an outline for your résumé, listing out sections and the information you plan to include in each
• Research what type of content should be included in each section: contact information, work history, education, skills, etc.
• Use a professional font and ensure your résumé is one page in length
• Make sure to include relevant keywords and accomplishments
• Double check for any errors or typos before submitting
• When you are satisfied with your résumé, you can move on to drafting a cover letter.

Drafting a Cover Letter

• Research the company and position you are applying for to determine what to include in your cover letter
• Clearly state the position you are applying to and why you are interested in it
• Make sure to include any relevant qualifications, experiences, and skills you possess that make you a great fit for the job
• Explain why you are an ideal candidate for the role
• Use specific examples whenever possible to illustrate your qualifications
• Keep the letter concise and make sure to proofread it for any spelling or grammar errors
• Format the cover letter in a professional manner
• When complete, check it off your list and move on to the next step!

Explaining how to structure a cover letter and what to include in it.

• Start with a professional salutation, such as ‘Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]’
• Briefly explain why you’re writing, such as ‘I am applying for the [Position] role at [Company]’
• Summarize your qualifications in 2-3 sentences, highlighting any relevant skills and experiences
• Include a few sentences about why you would be a good fit for the role
• End with a call to action, such as ‘I look forward to hearing from you’
• Sign off with a professional closing, such as ‘Sincerely’
• When you can check this off your list: Once you have included all the relevant information in the cover letter, proofread it for any errors and make sure it is formatted correctly.

Listing Questions

• Create a list of the types of questions you would like to ask the applicant
• Keep your list organized by categories such as work experience, skills, and education
• Make sure to include questions that will help you assess the applicant’s qualifications for the job
• Ask questions that will provide insight into the applicant’s character and ability to fit with the company culture
• Prepare a set of questions for each candidate, but create a list of alternative questions in case the conversation takes a different direction
• Once you have a comprehensive list of questions, you can move on to the next step of the interview process.

Explaining the types of questions to ask and how to structure the interview.

• Determine the types of questions to ask in the interview. Consider the job position, skills and experience required for the job, and the company culture.
• Create an outline of the questions and the order in which they should be asked. Your outline should include both open-ended and closed-ended questions.
• Determine the duration of the interview and plan accordingly.
• Decide how you will record the responses of the candidates.
• When you are done creating the interview outline, review it to make sure it includes all the necessary elements.

Once the interview outline has been completed and reviewed, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Listing Answers

• Determine what skills and experiences are relevant to the position
• Brainstorm potential answers to questions about skills, experiences, and qualifications
• Draft short, concise responses to questions that can be tailored to the company and position
• Prepare responses that emphasize the most relevant skills and experiences
• Practice delivering the answers in a conversational and professional tone
• Review the prepared responses to ensure they are accurate and appropriate
• When you have prepared responses to all the questions, you have completed this step and can move on to the next one.

Explaining how to prepare answers to the questions, including the value of tailoring answers to the company and the position.

• Brainstorm questions you may be asked during the interview and the answers you feel most comfortable providing.
• Research the company and the position in order to tailor your answers to the role and the company’s culture.
• Craft your answers to make yourself stand out among other candidates.
• Prepare yourself to discuss your key skills, qualities, experiences, and qualifications.
• Make sure your responses are succinct and to the point.
• Rehearse your answers before the interview.

Once you have brainstormed questions you may be asked, researched the company and position, crafted your answers to make yourself stand out, and rehearsed your answers, you can be confident that you have prepared answers to the questions.

Practice Interviews

• Set up practice interviews with people who are familiar with the job interview process and can provide useful feedback
• Choose someone who is experienced and can offer constructive criticism
• Be prepared with a list of common questions and scenarios related to the job and company you are interviewing for
• Ask your practice interviewer to simulate a real job interview environment
• Take notes on what areas you need to work on, especially with regards to body language, tone of voice and confidence
• Practice your answers in front of a mirror and time yourself
• After each practice interview, take some time to reflect on your performance and adjust accordingly
• When you feel confident in your answers and delivery, you can move on to the next step in creating a professional job interview outline

You will know you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when you feel confident in your answers and delivery.

Explaining the value of practice interviews, how to find someone to practice with and the importance of feedback.

• Research and read up on common interview questions, ask friends, family and colleagues for their help in practicing
• Utilize online resources such as forums, websites and videos to aid in practice
• Ask a guidance counselor, mentor or professor to be a practice interviewer
• Seek feedback from the practice interviewer, listen to their advice and make any necessary adjustments
• When you feel comfortable and have incorporated the feedback, you have completed this step and are ready to move on to the next step.

Dressing Appropriately

• Research the dress code of the company. Know the level of formality expected for the job interview.
• Choose clothes that are appropriate for the job and company culture.
• Make sure your clothing is clean and ironed.
• Wear minimal accessories and jewelry.
• Wear well-groomed hair and minimal makeup.
• Wear comfortable shoes that match the outfit.
• Pack an extra shirt and other clothing items in case of an emergency.

When you can check this off your list and move on to the next step: When you have researched the dress code of the company and chosen clothes that are appropriate for the job and company culture that are also clean, ironed, and well-groomed.

Explaining the importance of dressing appropriately for the job interview and how to do it.

• Research the company’s dress code and the industry standard for the type of job you are interviewing for
• Choose an outfit that is neat and clean, and that is appropriate for the job you are applying for
• Make sure you are well groomed and presentable for the interview
• Avoid wearing any distracting jewelry or accessories
• Wear minimal makeup and perfume/cologne
• Wear comfortable, appropriate shoes
• Bring an extra set of clothes with you in case of any unexpected spills or stains

You can check this off your list when you have researched the company dress code, chosen an appropriate outfit, and made sure you are presentable and well groomed.

Follow-Up

• Draft a thank you letter or email to the interviewer
• Make sure to thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to talk
• Make sure to include any additional information that wasn’t discussed during the interview
• Proofread the thank you letter or email for any spelling and grammar errors
• Send the thank you letter or email within 24 hours of the interview
• Follow up with the interviewer if you have not heard back after a few days
• When you have sent the thank you letter or email and followed up if needed, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Explaining the importance of following up after the interview and how to do it.

• Follow-up is critical for any job interview - it helps to ensure that you remain top-of-mind among the hiring team, and it also serves as a way to thank the interviewer for their time
• After the interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewer within 24 hours - this should be a professional, concise email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview
• Following up after the interview is also a great way to reiterate your interest in the position - state why you believe you are qualified for the role and why you are the best candidate for the job
• You should also inquire about the hiring timeline so you have a better understanding of when to expect a response - this can be done by email or by calling the interviewer
• When following up, make sure to remain professional and courteous and always keep in mind the individual’s time - the interviewer likely has a busy schedule and should not be overburdened with your inquiries
• You’ll know you can check this step off your list when you have sent a thank-you note and made a follow-up inquiry.

FAQ:

Q: Can I use the same job interview outline for UK and US job interviews?

Asked by Zuri on April 25, 2022.
A: Yes, the same outline can be used for both UK and US job interviews. However, you should keep in mind that there are differences in legislation between the two countries which you may need to take into account. In the UK, for example, employers must ensure that their recruitment processes comply with the Equality Act 2010. This means that they must not discriminate against job applicants because of their age, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. In the US, employers must comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which also prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. It’s important to familiarize yourself with any relevant laws in your jurisdiction before conducting a job interview.

Q: What additional information should I include in my job interview outline if I’m recruiting for a technology-based role?

Asked by Kayleigh on November 12, 2022.
A: If you are recruiting for a technology-based role then it is important to ensure that you ask questions which are specific to the role and industry. It’s also important to assess the candidate’s technical knowledge and skills. You may want to ask questions about their experience with particular software or programming languages, or their experience solving technical problems related to the role. You should also ask questions about their understanding of latest trends in technology and how they would apply them in the role.

Q: Can I use this job interview outline for a B2B business?

Asked by Emerson on July 21, 2022.
A: Absolutely! The same job interview outline can be used for a B2B business as well. However, when recruiting for a B2B business it is important to focus on particular qualities that are essential for success in this kind of environment such as problem-solving skills and customer service skills. You should also pay attention to candidates’ understanding of the company’s products or services and ask questions related to their ability to provide solutions to potential customers.

Q: What is the best way to structure a job interview?

Asked by Penelope on August 28, 2022.
A: Structuring an effective job interview is key to ensuring that you get all of the information you need from a potential candidate while keeping it professional and efficient. Generally speaking, it is best practice to start with introducing yourself and explaining the purpose of the interview. You should then move onto asking questions related to the candidate’s experience, qualifications and skills. Finally, it is important to give candidates an opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the role or company before wrapping up the interview.

Q: How do I ensure that my job interview is compliant with data privacy laws?

Asked by Preston on October 4, 2022.
A: Ensuring that your job interview is compliant with data privacy laws is essential in order to protect both yourself and your potential employee from any legal repercussions. Before conducting a job interview it is important to familiarize yourself with any relevant data privacy laws in your jurisdiction such as GDPR or CCPA which regulate how personal data can be collected and stored by employers. During the interview you should avoid collecting any unnecessary personal information from candidates and make sure that any information collected is done so lawfully and with their full consent.

Q: What types of questions should I avoid asking during a job interview?

Asked by Rachel on June 15, 2022.
A: It is important to avoid asking any questions during an interview which could be perceived as discriminatory or intrusive such as those related to age, marital status or religious beliefs. You should also avoid making assumptions about a candidate based on any visible characteristics; instead focus on their qualifications and experiences when assessing their suitability for the role. Additionally, you should avoid asking hypothetical questions which could put candidates in an uncomfortable position such as ‘what would you do if…?’

Q: How should I handle difficult questions during a job interview?

Asked by Nash on December 28, 2022.
A: Difficult questions can come up during a job interview which require careful handling so as not to put potential employees off applying for the role or cause offence. If you come across a difficult question then it can be helpful to take some time before responding in order to gather your thoughts and ensure that your response is respectful and appropriate. Depending on what kind of question it is you may want to clarify what exactly is being asked before responding so that you can provide an accurate answer without putting yourself or your potential employee at risk of legal repercussions.

Example dispute

Suing for Wrongful Termination

• Review the relevant employment contract and any applicable labor laws in the jurisdiction.
• Gather evidence of the interview process that led to the termination, including the interview outline, any recordings or notes taken during the interview, and any other related documents.
• Determine if there was any discrimination or other illegal activity that led to the termination.
• Consider seeking settlement with the employer or filing a lawsuit if the employer is unwilling to settle.
• Calculate any damages that may have been incurred due to the wrongful termination, including lost wages, emotional distress, and other related expenses.

Templates available (free to use)

Witness Interview Outline For Internal Investigations

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