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How can i prepare for a job interview?

How can i prepare for a job interview

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Doc’s Answer

Nailing a job interview Candice takes more than preparation and practice. If you want to get hired, you need to tell a story about why you’re the perfect person for this role — an honest narrative that portrays who you are, what you value, and how both things align with the larger mission of the organization you're wanting to work for. The impression you make on the interviewer often can outweigh your actual credentials. Your poise, attitude, basic social skills, and ability to communicate are evaluated along with your experience and education. You and the interviewer must engage in a conversation — a mutual exchange of information and ideas. Only through such a dialogue can you both determine if you, the organization, and the job are well matched. Preparation is the key.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Fail to plan, and you plan to fail. You are certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure you've done your homework on things like what the compy does and what's the latest product launches. Also take a look at the latest developments in the industry so you can converse with confidence.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to questions about your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you would be the best person for the job.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Appearances shouldn't matter, but the plain fact is that you are often judged before you've even uttered a word. Make sure your dressed appropriately for the position you're applying for and your clothes fit correctly. Dressing one level above the job you're applying for shows a desire to succeed.

STAY CALM
Good preparation is the key to staying in control. Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays and get everything you need to take with you ready the night before. Remember to speak clearly, smile and remember that your interviewers are just normal people, and the may be nervous too.

BE PREPARED
You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

Remember Candice, No interview is complete until you follow up with a thank-you note.
Express your appreciation for the interview and, if true, reaffirm your interest. This last step can make a difference. Don’t forget it.
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Misha’s Answer

- Review and pay attention to job description
- Identify relevant skill sets to job description
- Research company and news
- Come with questions prepared
- Review Linked In Background of Scheduled Interviewers

Curtesy of Cloudera New Hires: Stephen, Michael, and Guru

Misha recommends the following next steps:

Review job posting
See if interviewers have been identified
If you fail, don’t give up
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Alma’s Answer

- Be on time (research ahead of time how much time does it take to get to the interview/check your tech if this is a virtual interview)
- Research as much as you can about the Company or the team you are applying for so you can ask appropriate questions/drive thoughtful discussion (ex. how this position aligns with the Company's strategy/mission, what are their most recent wins, what challenges the industry is facing now and how the Company is navigating through them)
- Understand job description and requirements
- Be able to articulate why you are a good candidate for this role based on job description and your strengths/experience
- Be prepared to discuss why you are applying for this position
- Prepare a few thoughtful questions
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Juliana’s Answer

Hi Candice,

Here are some tips for you on preparing for a job interview:

- Research the company and understand the job requirements.
- Practice common interview questions and prepare examples from your experiences.
- Dress professionally and slightly more formal than the company's dress code.
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.
- Review your resume and be ready to discuss your experiences and achievements.
- Practice good body language, maintain eye contact, and demonstrate active listening.
- Bring necessary documents like copies of your resume and references.
- Conduct a mock interview to practice and receive feedback.
- Plan logistics, know the interview location, and arrive early.
- Stay confident, be yourself, and make a positive impression.

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared and increase your chances of success in a job interview. Good luck!
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Tyler’s Answer

How you prepare for an interview will depend on the position you're interviewing for and who will be conducting the interview, but generally following these steps will allow you to successfully prepare.

Research the Company: Understand their products, services, culture, and recent news. This helps tailor your answers to fit their needs.

Review the Job Description: Identify key skills and experiences they are looking for. Prepare examples from your background that demonstrate these qualifications. These examples don't necessarily need to be from work experience. Utilizing school projects and extracurriculars are a great way to show you meet what the employer is looking for.

Practice Common Interview Questions: Anticipate questions about your strengths, weaknesses, achievements, and why you're a good fit for the role. Utilizing examples as discussed in the previous point is great to include here as well.

Prepare Questions to Ask: Show your interest by preparing thoughtful questions about the company, team dynamics, or the role itself.

Lastly, ensure you're well rested the day of the interview, arrive at least 15 minutes early, and bring an enthusiastic attitude.
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Dev’s Answer

Hi Candice!

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Look for types of questions that are usually asked for the position you are applying for and try to formulate a good answer. You can also get a friend to ask you a question and practice responding.

You can also reach out to people who work at the organization to see if they have any tips for you.
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Rhea’s Answer

Hello Candice!

Remember, perfection is a journey, and every step you take gets you closer, especially when it comes to video interviews. It's all about growing your confidence, mastering the art of vocal variety, and gaining a deep understanding of the job and the company. Be prepared to shine when the interviewer asks you to share about yourself. Keep it brief, yet impactful, emphasizing your technical prowess and ongoing learning endeavors. Don't just focus on why you're the perfect match for the company, but also illustrate why the company is the perfect match for you. You've got this, Candice!
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Shirley’s Answer

Hi Candice,

I would look up basic interview questions and jot down ideas on how to respond. For example, "Tell me about yourself," and "What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?"

For behavioral-type questions, think of a couple scenarios for questions about "Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict" or "Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership skills."

Interviews are not meant to be interrogations. Think of them as a conversation because you are showing interest in the job and the interviewers are also trying to promote the job and their company to you.

Good luck!
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Tiffanie’s Answer

Hi Candice -

Here are some great resources to help you prepare for an interview:

1. **Interviewing Techniques and Tips:**
- [The Muse: Interview Tips](https://www.themuse.com/advice/interview-tips)
- [Indeed: Interviewing Tips](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-tips)

2. **Common Interview Questions:**
- [Glassdoor: Common Interview Questions](https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/common-interview-questions/)
- [Monster: Common Interview Questions and Answers](https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/10-common-interview-questions)

3. **Behavioral Interview Prep:**
- [MindTools: STAR Technique](https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_09.htm)
- [Harvard Business Review: How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions](https://hbr.org/2015/03/how-to-answer-behavioral-interview-questions)

4. **Company Research:**
- [LinkedIn: Researching Companies](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-research-companies-interview-6-steps-shivangi-rai/)
- [Glassdoor: Company Reviews](https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/index.htm)

5. **Mock Interviews:**
- [Pramp: Free Mock Interviews](https://www.pramp.com/)
- [Interviewing.io: Mock Technical Interviews](https://interviewing.io/)

6. **General Preparation:**
- [Career Contessa: Interview Preparation Checklist](https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/interview-preparation-checklist/)
- [Harvard Career Services: Interviewing Resources](https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/interviewing)

These links cover various aspects of interview preparation, from common questions to behavioral techniques and company research. Good luck with your interview prep!
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Jeff’s Answer

Hi Candice,

Great question and you have already received lots of great advice! I will reiterate: research the company, the job and the necessary skills and practice!

I want to add that many positions and companies will throw problems at you. In technology, they may ask you to write code on the whiteboard to solve a specific problem or it may be something out of left field, how many gumballs are contained in a five gallon jug? They are not looking for an exact, working response. They want to see what your thought process is with problem solving. Use the whiteboard and talk it out. You can make up numbers in this case. So, the volume of a five gallon jug is x. Each gumball, assuming they are not giant is one inch. Since there will be space between, assume one square inch... That type of thing. If they are looking for code, pseudo code works. Again, it's about your thought process.

If you don't know the answer to a real question, be honest. They understand that you are not going to know every answer. Also, offer to research it and get back to them. They already know the answer but will appreciate your honesty and offer.

Try to have a few questions in your pocket to ask about the company and the department/area/position. Don't bring up money or perks unless they do.

Use every interview as a learning experience, either good and bad! You're not going to nail them all.

Many interviewers are looking for specific examples when they ask for an example of a time when you... Your examples should be specific, something you did and how it helped or impacted. The situation does not need to be in your area or career field. For example, a time when you saw a problem and created a solution could be the time you noticed that the fries were taking too long to get to the customer at McDonalds so you proposed a solution for faster fry delivery that saved 23 seconds per customer. Team could be your team on a project in college. Any specific situation in your life where you fixed or bettered something and can provide a number to show the improvement. The thought is that if you helped McDonalds or you helped your team in college, you can help them!

Good luck!
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Aman’s Answer

Hi Candice,

Preparing for a job interview can sometimes feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into actionable steps can make the process much smoother. First, I recommend thoroughly researching the company to understand its culture, values, and recent achievements. For instance, if you’re interviewing at a tech startup in Salt Lake City, look into their latest product line or any community initiatives they are involved in. You can usually find this information on their website or through news articles.

Next, prepare for the common interview questions you might face. A great way to do this is to create a list of potential questions and craft your responses. Questions like "Tell me about yourself" or "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" are often asked. A useful framework to adopt is the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating answers to competency-based questions. For example, if asked about a time you faced a challenge, you might discuss a specific project at your last job, the difficulties you encountered, what you did to resolve them, and the success that followed.

Additionally, dress appropriately for the interview. In Salt Lake City, the tech scene can be a bit more relaxed, but presenting a polished version of yourself is essential. Consider smart casual attire if you’re unsure. Finally, try to schedule a mock interview with a friend or family member to practice your responses and improve your confidence in delivering them.

Best of luck in your interview preparation!

Best,
Aman
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