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What are some things to keep in mind during the interviewing process?
Is there any pointers for freshly graduated students to stand out during their interview? Is there a method to prepare for the interview questions and what kind of question will the interviewer ask? #teaching #professionals #education #interview
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11 answers
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Shay,
Interviews (whether for university or for a job) can be very stressful. I always recommend a few things in general:
1. Make sure you are outwardly presentable. This does not mean you have to rush out to buy a brand new suit or set of fancy clothes but remember that first impressions are the longest-lasting, and you want to be professional. Make sure you are set up for success by being presentable and ready to go.
2. Practice, practice, practice. Think of potential questions you may be asked, and think of how you want to answer those. Just like preparing for a presentation, practice your answers out loud and make sure you have clear responses. If you have a friend or partner, ask if they can play the interviewer and ask for feedback.
3. Make sure you get plenty of rest before the interview. You are going to be stressed out and nervous, but try and get a full night's rest, eat a good breakfast and come as fresh as you can.
Remember that many interviewers will try and "stress test" you during the interview to see how you handle tough situations, so try and be calm, relax and provide your best answers.
I also recommend preparing questions to ask the interviewer to show your interest:
1. Ask probing questions about the role specifically. What would your daily activities look like? What would "success" look like in the role? What are the biggest challenges the interviewer sees in the role?
2. Ask questions about the team. What does the working relationship look like? Are there any dynamics that you should be aware of? How will you fit in and contribute to the success of the team?
3. Ask questions about the manager. Will they be a fit for your personality? Will you be successful in the role and with their expectations? How will your manager champion you and your career?
4. Ask questions about the company. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time and energy in your new career, so focus on aligning your interests and values with the company values. Do they align?
Also, remember that the interview is not just a chance for you to sell yourself to the manager and company, but also for them to sell themselves and the role to you!
Best of luck
Interviews (whether for university or for a job) can be very stressful. I always recommend a few things in general:
1. Make sure you are outwardly presentable. This does not mean you have to rush out to buy a brand new suit or set of fancy clothes but remember that first impressions are the longest-lasting, and you want to be professional. Make sure you are set up for success by being presentable and ready to go.
2. Practice, practice, practice. Think of potential questions you may be asked, and think of how you want to answer those. Just like preparing for a presentation, practice your answers out loud and make sure you have clear responses. If you have a friend or partner, ask if they can play the interviewer and ask for feedback.
3. Make sure you get plenty of rest before the interview. You are going to be stressed out and nervous, but try and get a full night's rest, eat a good breakfast and come as fresh as you can.
Remember that many interviewers will try and "stress test" you during the interview to see how you handle tough situations, so try and be calm, relax and provide your best answers.
I also recommend preparing questions to ask the interviewer to show your interest:
1. Ask probing questions about the role specifically. What would your daily activities look like? What would "success" look like in the role? What are the biggest challenges the interviewer sees in the role?
2. Ask questions about the team. What does the working relationship look like? Are there any dynamics that you should be aware of? How will you fit in and contribute to the success of the team?
3. Ask questions about the manager. Will they be a fit for your personality? Will you be successful in the role and with their expectations? How will your manager champion you and your career?
4. Ask questions about the company. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time and energy in your new career, so focus on aligning your interests and values with the company values. Do they align?
Also, remember that the interview is not just a chance for you to sell yourself to the manager and company, but also for them to sell themselves and the role to you!
Best of luck
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Shay:
You've asked a very good question. I agree with the comments from the previous posters. I'd like to add more tips for your consideration. After the interview send a "THANK YOU" email or note card. This tip could make the difference between you and another candidate if they didn't send a "thank you" email. It will leave a lasting impression.
1) Before the interview try to make sure you have the full name, email address and telephone number of the interviewer. Do your research in advance and you could find this information out.
2) Immediately when you return home from the interview send your "thank you". In your email you want to keep it brief but, hit on some highlights you discussed during the interview.
• On the Subject line address it this way to get "immediate attention" - - (* THANK YOU - Shay A. *). This approach has worked extremely well when saying thank you
• Keep the body of the email to a minimum of 2 paragraphs, which could get shortened by adding bullet points
3) ASK FOR THE JOB! This should be done toward the end of your interview as you are wrapping up. But, you can also add it in your thank you email.
Good luck to you on the interviewing process.
~ Sheila
You've asked a very good question. I agree with the comments from the previous posters. I'd like to add more tips for your consideration. After the interview send a "THANK YOU" email or note card. This tip could make the difference between you and another candidate if they didn't send a "thank you" email. It will leave a lasting impression.
1) Before the interview try to make sure you have the full name, email address and telephone number of the interviewer. Do your research in advance and you could find this information out.
2) Immediately when you return home from the interview send your "thank you". In your email you want to keep it brief but, hit on some highlights you discussed during the interview.
• On the Subject line address it this way to get "immediate attention" - - (* THANK YOU - Shay A. *). This approach has worked extremely well when saying thank you
• Keep the body of the email to a minimum of 2 paragraphs, which could get shortened by adding bullet points
3) ASK FOR THE JOB! This should be done toward the end of your interview as you are wrapping up. But, you can also add it in your thank you email.
Good luck to you on the interviewing process.
~ Sheila
Updated
Doug’s Answer
Shay,
There is a lot of information out there that can help you with the questions companies ask. However, the questions will vary from company to company. There is no "hard-and-fast" rule on what will be asked.
Most interviewers will ask you to tell a little about yourself. Believe me, they do not want to know when you were born or grew up or who your friends are. They are not looking for personal information. They are looking to see if your education/work background fits in with what they are looking for (see the job description for that). They also want to know that you'll fit in with their company culture. A conservative bank would shy away from a liberal activist and such. So, before your interview, do your research to see if you do fit the company culture. You can find most of that information online at the company's website.
Don't assume you know what they are asking. If you are unsure what the question is looking for, ask. Most companies like people who ask questions(as long as you don't question everything).
Be relaxed and most importantly, be yourself. Remember,you're interviewing them at the same time. Instead of next steps, I am putting a few "do's and don't's" for you.I hope they help.
Doug recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Lucie’s Answer
Outch, job interviews are tough! But the hardest part is really to actually get one in my opinion!
First of all dress for the job you want, without a tuxedo, dress the part.
Second, in my opinion what everyone looks into a good candidate/good interview is someone who is concise, doesn't lose his train of thoughts, to the point, good story teller, etc.
To stand out, despite the many answers you already got, I would say:
#1 Match job posting and resume
Highlight the different part of the job posting and match it to your resume. Use maybe a few different highlighters to really distinguish the different skillset required. This will be make it easier for you to speak about what has not been highlighted (because it will come up!)
#2 Look out for the obvious
Look for the obvious questions you will be asked: Experience, gap in resume, etc. Be prepared to respond to these questions with a well prepared answer. It might be a way for you to shine.
#3 Work on story telling
A good story needs to be down to the point and follow a path of development. Don't get lost into rabbit holes and other tangent, look into the narrative and make sure it is one where you stand out.
#4 Prepare and Practice make Perfect
There will be obvious questions about your resume, also, there will be the questions we are all expecting: Tell me about yourself, what are some of your qualities, what do you like about our company, why do you want to work here, etc.?
It will vary per the role and industry but all the questions you will have will be in some sort of the same flavor from one interview to the next.
Then rehearse, under the shower, in front of the mirror, with friends, family, etc. The more you repeat your stories the more they will come naturally and when a question you have not prepared for arise you should be more relaxed to answer.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
First of all dress for the job you want, without a tuxedo, dress the part.
Second, in my opinion what everyone looks into a good candidate/good interview is someone who is concise, doesn't lose his train of thoughts, to the point, good story teller, etc.
To stand out, despite the many answers you already got, I would say:
#1 Match job posting and resume
Highlight the different part of the job posting and match it to your resume. Use maybe a few different highlighters to really distinguish the different skillset required. This will be make it easier for you to speak about what has not been highlighted (because it will come up!)
#2 Look out for the obvious
Look for the obvious questions you will be asked: Experience, gap in resume, etc. Be prepared to respond to these questions with a well prepared answer. It might be a way for you to shine.
#3 Work on story telling
A good story needs to be down to the point and follow a path of development. Don't get lost into rabbit holes and other tangent, look into the narrative and make sure it is one where you stand out.
#4 Prepare and Practice make Perfect
There will be obvious questions about your resume, also, there will be the questions we are all expecting: Tell me about yourself, what are some of your qualities, what do you like about our company, why do you want to work here, etc.?
It will vary per the role and industry but all the questions you will have will be in some sort of the same flavor from one interview to the next.
Then rehearse, under the shower, in front of the mirror, with friends, family, etc. The more you repeat your stories the more they will come naturally and when a question you have not prepared for arise you should be more relaxed to answer.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Updated
Misty’s Answer
This is a great question. There are a few things that I would say in my opinion that would help you during an interview .
- make sure you know about the company you are applying for. This could come in handy as you may be applying for one job and yet your skill set allow you to be an asset in the company in another area. Due some research on this before the interview. This would also be beneficial if you were to be asked the age old question of "what makes you feel that you would be a good fit for our company". If you know the company, you will be able to give a more professional answer.
- Eye contact and a good handshake go a long way.
- Dress for the job you want when going into an interview.
- Make sure that at the end of the interview, you ask for feedback. Ask your interviewer if there is anything you could do in further interviews to bette r your chances, especially if you are going to have a second interview with another person.
Updated
Nobomi’s Answer
In preparation for the interview, always make sure to do an in-depth research about the organization you are keen on joining; their culture usually gives you an indication of whether you will fit in or not. Then make sure you actually understand what is required of the job you are applying for; for example, on core responsibilities, you need to be comfortable that those are actually responsibilities you can deliver on. Be honest with yourself in aligning the skills required for the job at hand, for example; personal, interpersonal, communication, leading & managing.
On the day of the interview, be presentable in your neat office attire and arrive on time, to avoid having your nerves all over the place. Be comfortable and confident with the panel. Maintain eye contact and speak clearly with enthusiasm. Understand the question before you attempt to reply and if you did not get the question request the interviewer to repeat or even rephrase the question and or give you an example.
Be honest about what you do not know, do not fumble in an attempt to answer something you do not know. Nobody expects you to know everything.
On the point of 'tell us about your weaknesses' - this question is not a negative question trying to catch you out. That is why it is important to know yourself and to make sure that you turn your weakness into an opportunity of self-development and growth.
Always remember, during your interview, you are not on trial: you are given an opportunity to show the panel whether you are the 'right fit' for the job or not - I am using right fit because you can have all the right qualifications, experience and skills and still be not the right fit for the job or organization.
In conclusion, be prepared for any interview you are invited for.
On the day of the interview, be presentable in your neat office attire and arrive on time, to avoid having your nerves all over the place. Be comfortable and confident with the panel. Maintain eye contact and speak clearly with enthusiasm. Understand the question before you attempt to reply and if you did not get the question request the interviewer to repeat or even rephrase the question and or give you an example.
Be honest about what you do not know, do not fumble in an attempt to answer something you do not know. Nobody expects you to know everything.
On the point of 'tell us about your weaknesses' - this question is not a negative question trying to catch you out. That is why it is important to know yourself and to make sure that you turn your weakness into an opportunity of self-development and growth.
Always remember, during your interview, you are not on trial: you are given an opportunity to show the panel whether you are the 'right fit' for the job or not - I am using right fit because you can have all the right qualifications, experience and skills and still be not the right fit for the job or organization.
In conclusion, be prepared for any interview you are invited for.
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
There are several different interview styles and each one is a little different. As a hiring manager, I look for communication skills and preparation. Be sure you know a little about the position and the organization you are interviewing with. Look up hiring managers on LinkedIn if you can. Think about the skills you want to portray and examples that will show those skills. Most importantly, be yourself.
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
The previous responders have great advice. You should also practice your interview answers with a friend beforehand, it will enhance your confidence and calm your nerves for the day you have the big interview. At the conclusion of the interview, remember to ask for the job. Always send a thank you letter to the interviewer and there are some helpful online sources on how to do this. Hope this helps and good luck.
Updated
Paula’s Answer
There is a lot of information out there with examples of the types of questions recruiters and hiring managers ask. I would suggest searching for "behavior interview questions" and "STAR interview method" to help you prepare.
Updated
Fiona’s Answer
Research the company and its history
Research the department
Watch the news and be able to talk about key current events
Research some key current events in the industry you are applying to
Research the background of your interviewers
Go through your CV to ensure you can talk about each skill/past experience you have included
Think of some good questions you would like to ask about the company - including the team, the culture, the direction etc.
Do not under-dress
Be on time, 15 minutes early
Be prepared to introduce yourself in clear succinct manner, listing out key traits and achievements/interests/work experience/volunteering experience that makes you stand out.
Research the department
Watch the news and be able to talk about key current events
Research some key current events in the industry you are applying to
Research the background of your interviewers
Go through your CV to ensure you can talk about each skill/past experience you have included
Think of some good questions you would like to ask about the company - including the team, the culture, the direction etc.
Do not under-dress
Be on time, 15 minutes early
Be prepared to introduce yourself in clear succinct manner, listing out key traits and achievements/interests/work experience/volunteering experience that makes you stand out.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Make sure that you know your resume like the back of your hand because typically you will be asked about your experiences. Try to have a conversation and ask questions back and forth with your interviewer as that allows the interview to go smoothly. If you have good, thoughtful questions prepared for your interviewer, that will help you to stand out as it shows you prepared for the interview. Don't be too nervous, you know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else and if you can be confident in yourself and in all of your answers, your interviewer will be blown away.