Lisa Guan's Innovation World

If you’ve ever walked out of an interview thinking, “I could’ve done better,” you’re not alone. There are a few common stumbling blocks many of us run into:

• We don’t always know what the role actually means to the hiring company. We stick to technical answers and miss the opportunity to show we have deeper understanding of the role and have rich knowledge about the company.
• We sometimes walk into interviews without targeted preparation. When asked open-ended questions like “Why should we hire you?” or “What challenges do you see in this role?” we can feel like deer caught in headlights.
• Even if we know our strengths, we might struggle to clearly communicate them. It’s easy to forget to highlight what sets us apart.
• Our answers can lack structure, coming across as a stream of consciousness rather than a well-organized response.
• And for more senior roles, non-technical questions about strategy, business objectives, and cross-team collaboration are common—and often tough to tackle without proper context.

To help with these issues, there’s a simple yet powerful approach using AI. It involves a structured prompt that guides you through understanding the job description (JD), the company’s needs, and how you fit into the picture. Here’s the prompt I wrote to turn AI into a professional interview coach and effectively help you with the mentioned issues :

Prompt:

“Please play the role of a top recruiting expert and strategic consultant. I will provide you with a job description (JD); from a professional perspective, please produce an analysis to help me better understand the value of this position and how to prepare for the interview. Please respond by following these steps and, as much as possible, use a clear structure such as lists or tables:
Value Narrative Suggestions (Bonus): Distill 2–3 “differentiating advantages” or “value stories” I can emphasize in the interview to better showcase my personal value and fit for the role.”
Role Breakdown: Break down the daily activities for this position (specific responsibilities and execution stages). Extract the core outputs and metrics used to measure success (e.g., KPIs, key deliverables).
Company Strategic Intent: Based on industry trends, the company’s business model, and the competitive landscape, speculate why the company is creating this role at this time. Identify the core pain points this position might solve or the strategic goals it supports.
Business Value Analysis: Explain what value this position would bring to the company if it operates successfully (e.g., revenue, efficiency, innovation, risk control). Try to connect these insights to the company’s business model, strategic positioning, and potential growth opportunities.
Candidate Fit Assessment: Compare my work experience with the JD requirements and indicate:
Skills and experiences that are a strong match (which I can highlight during the interview).
Areas where I lack experience or need improvement (and suggest ways to address these gaps).
Mock Interview Questions: From the recruiter’s perspective, propose 1–2 potential questions on both the strategic and execution levels. For each question, note what the interviewer might be trying to assess (e.g., strategic understanding, execution ability, cross-functional collaboration).“

Using this method turns what could be a haphazard interview prep into a structured, holistic process. You’ll gain clarity on what the job truly entails, understand where you bring the most value, and craft a narrative that resonates with interviewers. It’s particularly beneficial if you want to stand out by demonstrating deep thinking and strategic awareness.

By taking the time to analyze the JD and the company’s strategic intent, you’re preparing yourself not just to answer questions, but to tell a compelling story. This is what differentiates top candidates from the rest.

So, next time you’re gearing up for an interview, try this AI-driven prep routine. You might be surprised at how much more confident and insightful you feel when it’s time to make your case.