When interviewing for a partnership position at a company, thorough preparation is key. Here are some tips on how to get ready for a partnership interview and make a strong impression.
Do Your Research
First and foremost, make sure you do your homework on the company. Study their website, social media pages, press releases, and news articles to get a good sense of their mission, values, goals, challenges, partners, clients, organizational structure, and culture. The more informed you are, the better you’ll be able to assess if you’re a good fit for the partnership and tailor your responses during the interview.
Look into the specific role you’re applying for as well. What are the key responsibilities? What background and skills are they looking for in a candidate? Review the job description carefully and identify how your qualifications and experience match up with their requirements.
Research the person or people who will be interviewing you too. What are their roles at the company? What is their background? Understanding their perspective will help you connect better during the interview.
Reflect on Your Experience
Take time to thoroughly review your own background, especially as it pertains to partnerships. Think about key skills you have developed, previous partnerships you played a role in, and results you achieved that would translate well to this position. Identify specific examples you can use to illustrate your abilities and experience during the interview.
Consider putting together a portfolio highlighting relevant partnerships and projects you’ve worked on. Include metrics and data that demonstrate the impact of your work. Hard numbers go a long way in quantifying the value you could bring to the role.
Practice Answering Questions
Brainstorm the types of questions you’ll likely be asked during the interview and practice your responses out loud. Be prepared to speak about your partnership experience, how you approach relationship-building, working with cross-functional teams, problem-solving, and project management. Have examples ready that highlight your skills in these areas.
Here are some common partnership interview questions to practice answering:
| Question | Sample Response |
|---|---|
| Why are you interested in this partnership role and what makes you a good fit? | I’m very interested in this role because of XYZ company’s mission to _______. My background aligns well because I have 3 years of experience in partnership management roles, leading cross-functional teams to achieve partner retention goals and revenue targets. For example, in my current role at ABC Company, I grew partner renewals by 15% year-over-year by doing XYZ. |
| What experience do you have identifying, prospecting, and securing new partners? | In my previous partnership development roles at XYZ companies, I spearheaded strategies to identify potential partners through market research, referral networks, and lead generation channels. This resulted in increasing new partnerships formed each year by 20% on average. To secure these partnerships, I was responsible for… |
| How would you approach relationship-building with new partners? | Building strong relationships is crucial to any partnership’s success. My approach centers on open communication, identifying shared goals, and developing trust. Specifically, I would make sure to have regular check-ins, ask thoughtful questions, and actively listen to understand their needs. Finding opportunities for co-marketing, referrals and added value are also key.. |
Practice answering situational questions as well. For example, “How would you handle a disagreement with a partner organization?” or “Describe a time you successfully overcame a challenge in a partnership.” Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
Prepare Questions to Ask
You’ll likely have an opportunity during the interview to ask your own questions. Come prepared with thoughtful queries that demonstrate your understanding of the company and interest in the position. Here are some good questions to consider:
- What are the top priorities for this role in the first 3-6 months on the job?
- How do you measure success for partnership roles at your company?
- How would you describe the culture at your company, particularly pertaining to partnerships?
- What opportunities for growth do you see in this role moving forward?
- What challenges has the partnership team faced and how have you worked to overcome them?
- Could you tell me more about the cross-functional collaboration I would experience in this role?
Make sure you have a notepad handy during the interview to jot down key points you’ll want to reference in your follow up communications.
Practice Interviewing
Set up mock interviews with colleagues, friends, or mentors to practice responding to questions in a conversational manner. Ask them to provide feedback on areas where you can improve. Record yourself as well so you can review your own verbal and nonverbal communication. Practicing will help you polish your responses and reduce nerves before the real interview.
Prepare Your Interview Attire
Plan what professional outfit you will wear to the interview ahead of time. Make sure it aligns with the company’s dress code standards. You want to look neat, clean, and put together to give off a positive impression. Iron or steam your interview clothes to get out any wrinkles. Shine your shoes and do a final check in the mirror before you head out.
Have Your Interview Supplies Ready
Gather together any supplies you’ll need for the interview itself:
- Multiple printed copies of your resume
- Notepad and pens
- Portfolio or work samples
- Business cards
- Breath mints and lip balm
- Bottle of water
- Extra phone battery pack
- List of references
Keep these supplies organized in a folder or bag so you can quickly access them when needed.
Plan Your Interview Day Schedule
Make sure you know exactly where the interview is located and how long it will take you to get there. Arrive 10-15 minutes early so you have time to get settled, relax, and review your notes before the interview starts. If conducting a video interview, set up your space 20 minutes prior to ensure your technology works properly.
Limit any scheduling conflicts the day of the interview so you can be focused and avoid feeling rushed or distracted. Build in some extra time both before and after so you are not stressed about timing. Having a plan in place will allow you to be in the right headspace for a great interview.
Get Plenty of Rest
In the days leading up to the interview, make sure to get adequate sleep each night. You want to be well-rested, alert, and energized for the big day. Avoid caffeine after lunchtime so it does not interfere with your sleep schedule. Drink plenty of water as well to stay hydrated.
Morning-Of Routine
Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the interview to help you feel satisfied and focused. Do some light exercise like yoga or a short walk to get your endorphins going. Listen to positive, upbeat music while getting ready to put you in the right mindset. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready without feeling rushed or scattered.
Review Common Partnership Interview Questions
Right before the interview, take 15 minutes to review your notes and refresh yourself on how to answer key partnership interview questions. Skim the job description one more time as well. This will get your mind focused on the content of the interview.
Make a Strong First Impression
Nonverbal cues make up the majority of communication. As soon as you walk into the interview, be aware of your body language. Make eye contact, smile warmly, and offer a confident handshake to each interviewer. This creates a powerful first impression.
Remember to:
- Maintain good posture
- Avoid fidgeting or nervous gestures
- Lean forward slightly to convey engagement
- Mirror the tone and energy of the interviewer
- Use natural hand gestures and movement
Your nonverbal signals should convey confidence, professionalism, and approachability throughout the interview.
Be Concise Yet Thorough in Your Responses
When answering interview questions, be wary of rambling or talking in circles. Practice communicating your message clearly and concisely. However, you want to provide sufficient detail and context in your responses as well. Finding the right balance point takes preparation.
Structure your answers using the STAR method:
Situation – Briefly explain the context
Task – What were you aiming to achieve?
Action – What steps did you take?
Result – What was the outcome?
Walking through your thought process in an organized manner demonstrates strategic thinking and keeps your answer focused.
Ask Insightful Questions
When given the opportunity, make sure to ask smart, thoughtful questions that show your understanding of the company and role. Jot down notes so you can reference the interviewer’s responses in your follow up communications. Asking engaging questions also signals your interest in the partnership.
Express Enthusiasm and Passion
Energy and positivity make a big impact. Use enthusiastic tone and language to convey your excitement. Sit up straight, smile and make eye contact, and nod along to show your active engagement in the conversation. Share your passion for the partnership space and how thrilled you are by the prospect of this role.
Mind Your Verbal Tics
Be aware of any verbal fillers you tend to overuse such as:
“like”, “um”, “uh”, “you know”, etc. The key is catching yourself before saying them. Slow down and pause if needed between thoughts to avoid relying on these tics.
Also avoid profanity or colloquial language. Stick to professional, articulate vocabulary suitable for the interview context.
Follow Up Quickly
Send a thank you email to each person who interviewed you within 24 hours of finishing. Express your appreciation for their time, reiterate your interest in the partnership, and include a highlight or two from the interview. Following up promptly reinforces the positive impression you made.
Keep the lines of communication open by checking in periodically if you don’t hear back after a week or so. Politely reiterate your qualifications and fit for the role. The key is balancing persistence with patience.
Assess the Overall Fit
Interviews are a two-way street – you are also assessing whether the partnership is the right fit for you. Reflect on the experience and how the interviewers’ responses aligned with your research on the company culture and partnership needs. Weigh the pros and cons objectively before making any decisions. Trust your instincts.
Conclusion
Preparing thoroughly for a partnership interview takes time and effort. But putting in the work on the front end pays dividends by helping you put your best foot forward and land the role. Do your research, reflect on your background, practice responses, prepare supplies, get plenty of rest, and put thought into your interactions throughout the interview process. With diligent preparation and a strategic approach, you will be ready to ace that partnership interview.