Turn an Interview into an Offer
Acing an interview requires preparation, practice, and the ability to communicate your value effectively.
There are two types of people:
Those who hate interviewing.
Those who love interviewing.
Too often, those who love interviewing are really good bullshitters and awful employees. There is a fine line between cocky and confidence. Stay clear of teetering on cocky.
Practice and Prepare
47% of interviewees didn't know anything about the company before their interview, according to a recent survey. Researching the company and practicing your answers to common interview questions IS A MUST. You can’t effectively answer their questions if you don’t know what they are looking for in an answer. Glassdoor has a database of questions and answers from past interviewees for nearly every major employer.
Master the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question
This is often the first question asked in an interview. It's your chance to provide a concise, compelling introduction to who you are professionally. Focus on your most relevant experiences and skills, and explain why you're interested in the job. Do not tell your life story. We don’t care where you went to college (unless you are a new graduate) and we definitely don’t care about your high school job (unless you are a new graduate). Your TMAY answer is an elevator pitch. Try to scale this down to less than 60 seconds. A good TMAY answer shows you have researched the company, their needs, and formulated a story that shows how your skillset fills their need.
Use the STAR Format
The STAR format is a method for answering behavioral interview questions. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It's a way to structure your answers to show concrete examples of your skills and experience.
For example, if asked about a time when you had to solve a difficult problem, you might answer:
Situation: "In my previous role as a project manager, we were behind schedule on a major project due to unexpected delays."
Task: "My task was to get the project back on track without compromising quality."
Action: "I reorganized the project plan, negotiated for additional resources, and implemented more efficient processes."
Result: "As a result, we completed the project on time without going over budget."
Discuss Your Strengths and Weaknesses
When asked about your strengths, choose attributes that are directly relevant to the job. Provide examples to demonstrate these strengths in action.
Discussing weaknesses can be tricky. The key is to focus on a weakness that you've worked to improve. For example, if you've struggled with public speaking, you might discuss how you joined a Toastmasters club to improve.
Understand the Interview Landscape
33% of bosses know within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they will hire someone. This highlights the importance of making a strong first impression. Dress professionally, arrive on time, and bring a positive attitude to the interview.
