Planning Engineer Interview Preparation Tips

My process for prepping for interviews👇🏼 1️⃣the one with the job description I analyze the JD very carefully, print it often, highlight the things that are repeated throughout the posting. I formulate questions around the JD and anticipate what I could be asked based on what the HM is looking for. 2️⃣the one with the company research Researching the company’s website is a given, but going a step further and reading any recent and relevant articles that I can use in conversation during the interview. I dig deep into any blog posts and try to find anything that only someone who truly spent time reading the pages would know. 3️⃣the one researching the people I put on my detective hat and research the people that will be interviewing me, how long have they been at the company, what titles have they held, what type of trajectory have they been on, etc. 4️⃣the one connecting the story I prepare at least four career stories prior to showing up to an interview, one about a mistake I’ve made and what I learned from it, one about a project I was really proud of, one about a skill I’m currently learning about and why, and one about collaboration. All of this need to have some connection to the job at hand and I talk about those stories using the CARL method. 5️⃣the one about why am I here I really have a clear answer about why am I here, what am I looking for, why do I have the right skills to be the candidate chosen for the role. I also like to have some questions prepared BUT I mostly ask questions based on the conversation I have. If you want specific details about this method let me know, happy to elaborate 👇🏼

My high school football coach (and Vince Lombardi) used to say, practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. I think about that a lot during interviews. After sitting in hundreds of them, it’s usually obvious who has spent time preparing thoughtfully versus who is trying to figure things out in real time. Here are some prep habits I recommend: Start with the job description. Read it closely. If you want extra support, drop it into AI and ask for likely interview questions. Themes show up fast. Core skills, problem-solving, collaboration. Those themes tell you where to focus. For each theme, think through two or three real examples. Different projects, different outcomes, different lessons learned. You’re not memorizing answers, you’re giving yourself options so you don’t freeze when a question is phrased differently. Say it out loud. This part matters more than people think. You’ll catch rambling, overused jargon, and spots where your confidence fades. Trust me, this is going to feel weird, but it will pay off big time. Do your research. Know what the company does, what they’ve shipped recently, and what they’re proud of right now. Recent news, wins, and growth can be found with a quick search. Bringing these up in the interview shows genuine interest. Also helpful: • A clear 60-second “about me” • One challenge story and one win • Pay attention to how the conversation is flowing and leave room for back-and-forth When you prepare, you spend less energy remembering and more energy connecting. #Recruiting #TalentAcquisition #InterviewPrep

After multiple failed interviews despite solid technical skills, I discovered what was missing when a hiring manager told me: "The other candidate asked better questions about our codebase challenges." This changed everything. For my next interview, I researched the company's product and prepared thoughtful questions about their specific technical problems. "I noticed your app has complex user permissions. How do you handle authorization across services?" The interview transformed from an exam into a real engineering conversation. Two days later, I received an offer. Quick Takeaways: 🦄 Research the company's technical challenges before interviewing 🦄 Ask specific, thoughtful questions about their codebase and architecture 🦄 Engage as a curious peer, not just a candidate being evaluated 🦄 Show you're thinking about their problems, not just your qualifications The questions you ask often matter more than the answers you give. This simple shift in approach can make all the difference. 🚀