February 23, 2026
When it comes to hiring trends in the new year, February is the month when hiring picks up, but expectations sharpen. While most companies take a more exploratory approach to industry needs in January, February interviews tend to be more serious.
Hiring managers are actively trying to fill open roles. “The need is no longer conceptual,” notes Mayra Rios, Goodwill’s Manager of Mission Advancement, “companies are looking for someone who can do the job right now.”
In addition to MyCareerAdvisor.com’s list of interview best practices, Rios shares the following tips to prepare for your next interview:
In this stage of hiring, interviewers are looking for measurable, relevant impact over general experience. It’s not enough to just say you were in a role – how did your contributions impact the company or organization? If you increased sales by 20% in the last 6 months, say that. Think of it like backwards-engineering a SMART goal.
“Interviewers are comparing candidates side by side,” says Rios, “they want to know what you’re bringing to the table, and whether you can help them reach their business goals.” Vague answers blur together quickly and become forgettable. Be specific to stand out.
Need some inspiration? Check out our guide to using the STAR Method to answer interview questions like a pro.
February hiring conversations are likely to center around resilience, learning speed, and cross-functional thinking.
This means hiring someone who can adapt to change and take on new challenges, pick up on new skills quickly, and who understands how they fit into the bigger picture within the company as a whole, not just within a singular department. Make sure you’re touching on these points in your answers, even if they’re not asked directly.
Job hunting can be stressful, especially if you’ve been searching for a while. It’s important to show conviction without seeming overly anxious. Remember: you’re also interviewing them to see if the role and company culture are a good fit for you. Stay cool, calm, and collected, and schedule a mock interview to get the jitters out beforehand.
Wish you had a cheat-sheet for the interview? Take a look at this list of the top ten interview questions most commonly asked in an interview, and our tips on how to frame your answers.
When the weight of financial responsibility is hanging overhead, it can be tempting to jump at the first opportunity that comes along. Before you leap on the liferaft, check for holes – make sure it’s really the right fit for you. Anchor yourself with the mantra, “Why this specific role?” over others.
Review the job description again, and choose three (3) achievements you’d be proud to share that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. It will give you a boost of confidence knowing that you’re choosing from a place of compatibility, rather than stress and anxiety.
Finally, practice a closing statement that reaffirms your interest in the position, your compatibility with the role, and your excitement to be part of the team. This is your opportunity to add a human touch and thank the interviewer for their time.
For example, “Thank you for the time and openness in our conversation today. I appreciated hearing about your team and the important work everyone does here. It reinforced that this is the kind of team and work I’d be proud to be a part of.”
Getting started is often the hardest part. It’s like staring at a blank canvas – it’s daunting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try breaking it down into smaller, doable steps. Ideally, something you can finish in 20 minutes or less that makes you feel confident, prepared, and supported.
Here are three (3) simple steps to get you started today:
November 21, 2022
People worry about how they will look during a job interview but spend less time considering their resumes. Your resume is the first impression you make when applying for a […]