CHAPTER 8
1. Do your homework 2. Make a good first impression 3. Listen and respond accordingly 4. Prepare smart, open ended questions to ask the interviewer 5. Sell your strengths and expertise
5 things you should always do before or during an interview:
1. Find a person who has the life or job you want. 2. Develop an interesting and relevant skill that isn't a prerequisite. 3. Get a mentor. 4. Realign your day-to-day efforts with the expectations you have for your future. 5. Make a five-year plan. 6. Don't say, "If it's meant to be, then it will happen." 7. Surround yourself with people you admire and ditch the ones who breed negativity. 8. Practical intelligence is a much higher predictor of success than IQ—work on it!
A Last Advice to the Young Professional 8 pieces of professional advice will serve to inspire or revolutionize your strategies for success, as they have done for mine.
Practical intelligence is a much higher predictor of success than IQ—work on it!
A decent IQ is a prerequisite for any good job, but it's repeatedly been shown to not be a great indicator of success. In fact, research suggests once you have a moderately high IQ (>125), this is sufficient for pretty much most jobs in the world. A much more reliable indicator of someone's success than IQ is their creative and practical intelligence. Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers, describes this as, "not knowledge for its own sake. It's knowledge that helps you read situations correctly and get what you want."
Candidate questions
A good candidate will take this opportunity to ask intelligent questions about the culture, expectations for the role, ongoing projects, etc. This is when they can prove they've done their homework on the company and want to know where they can fit in.
Practical intelligence is a much higher predictor of success than IQ—work on it!
A high IQ enables you to apply yourself very well to a given task, which is good but isn't going to set you apart. To be successful in the world you have to create tasks, and figure out which tasks you should apply yourself to in the first place.
Customize your resume.
Adapt your resume to each job you apply for. Study the job description to determine why you are a great fit. Then, add your skills, experience and measurable achievements that are relevant to that position.
Identify examples of your skills.
Add these to your cover letter and use them during networking opportunities or job interviews. Use the STAR method—situation, task, action and result—to tell your story effectively.
Candidate questions
An interview should be a two-way exchange, so it's important that you encourage the candidate to ask any questions they may have about the job and the company.
Don't falsify information
Answer questions truthfully and as close to the point as possible. Explain and describe things about yourself that relate to the position on offer, and truly reflect your past experience.
Apply with confidence.
Apply for jobs you are interested in even if you only meet some of their requirements. Depending on the position, employers might hire motivated individuals who learn quickly and provide them with skills training on the job.
Research companies.
As you find job listings that interest you, research the hiring companies before applying. This can provide you with information about their company culture, benefits and salary range, products and services and work environment.
Get resume and cover letter help.
Ask a friend, family member, coworker, career counselor or other professional to proofread your resume and cover letter for errors, as well as to offer advice.
Build a picture of exactly what you need
Before the interview make a checklist of all the requirements for the role and then tailor your questions and means of assessing the individual so that you can evaluate all of the factors.
Introduction
Begin your interview with an informal chat to break the ice, for example you could ask them how their journey was and what they have planned for the day, to help them warm to you and relax.
Make a good first impression
Bring your CV and ensure you know the dates and its specifics so you can confidently talk through your CV and give examples.
Prepare smart, open ended questions to ask the interviewer
Communicating your experience and successes clearly will highlight any of your strengths that are relevant to the role.
Prepare for the interview
Do your homework beforehand, by thoroughly reading the candidate's CV to familiarize yourself with their work history. You can also learn a little more about a candidate by checking them out on social media, so that you can ask them about some of their interests or hobbies.
Listen and respond accordingly
Don't run circles around the questions, listen and answer accordingly while using examples from your experience to back it up.
Close the interview
Ending the interview on a slightly informal and friendly note will leave a good lasting impression with them.
Develop an interesting and relevant skill that isn't a prerequisite.
Everybody who is worthy of being called your competition has the necessary skills and experience for the job you want. Just like driving through a city at rush hour, if you try to beat everyone else on what is normally the proper, most efficient route to work, you will arrive later than if you took the slightly inconvenient back roads with less traffic.
Don't let any past rejections infringe on future ones
Finding a new job can be taxing, make sure you approach every interview as a new opportunity and learn from past interview mistakes.
Know your career goals.
First, identify what type of career you want. This is particularly important for people entering the workforce for the first time or changing careers.
Know your career goals.
First, identify what type of career you want. This is particularly important for people entering the workforce for the first time or changing careers. Get recommendations from family, professors, a career coach or former coworkers. Make sure you have a clear and realistic goal, determine how you plan to reach it and note what qualifies you for that career path.
Make a good first impression
For a video interview, minimise technical issues by testing your video tool the day before your interview, on the day of your interview, ensure you are set up and ready to go at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time, in a quiet and comfortable place. You won't have the luxury of being able to offer a firm handshake or make eye contact with your interviewer, so the best alternative is for you to smile confidently and appear interested and engaged
Know your career goals.
Get recommendations from family, professors, a career coach or former coworkers. Make sure you have a clear and realistic goal, determine how you plan to reach it and note what qualifies you for that career path. These steps can help you narrow your job search to positions you are passionate about and will help you advance professionally.
Plan ahead.
Have a list of two to three references and their contact information ready to provide employers. Create or update your profile on professional networking websites and create a spreadsheet to note the jobs you have applied for and the interviews you have received.
Customize your resume.
Hiring managers who look through many resumes should be able to read yours and quickly know you have the skills for the position.
Get a mentor.
Ideally this would be somebody senior within your company, but really it can be anybody more experienced than you in your industry: someone who is respected and who has influence.
Reflect on the interview
If there was more than one of you holding the interview, then you can use this time to share your thoughts on the interview and come to some sort of conclusion.
Don't falsify information
If you are being probed in an area that is not a strength, be honest and let your interviewer know you are willing to learn or work on and how you can up skill in this area. Follow that with strengths you have in another area that you could bring to the table.
Succeed in your current job.
If you are currently employed and looking for a better or different career, continue to perform your current job with positivity and commitment. Maintain good relationships with your coworkers and managers as long as you're working with them.
Don't speak over the interviewer
If you are interviewing via a video platform remember that there will be a slight time delay, avoid rushing to answer a question in case your interviewer hasn't finished speaking.
Expand your skills.
If you are just entering the workforce or starting a new career, you might need more training or experience to get a job. Consider getting an internship or volunteering with an organization in your desired industry while applying for jobs.
Prepare for interviews.
If you are well prepared, you will be more confident and comfortable when you go into your next interview.
Build a picture of exactly what you need
If you don't have a proper idea of the type of person that you need in terms of skills, experience and personality, then how are you supposed to determine a candidate's suitability?
Don't let any past rejections infringe on future ones
If you have several interviews lined up, try to leave some space between them to ensure you are at your best
Apply with confidence.
If you meet a portion of a job's qualifications but believe you can still succeed in that role, apply. Include examples of your work ethic and ability to learn new skills in your resume. Emphasize how your goals align with those of the company.
Realign your day-to-day efforts with the expectations you have for your future.
If you picture yourself achieving something impressive one day, then ask yourself: "Am I doing anything that is impressive right now?" If the answer is no, then you need to pick up your game. You can't plod along in the middle of the pack if one day you hope to lead it.
Describe the next steps
If you tell them you'll let them know in the next few days then stick to your word. There's nothing worse than being left hanging after a job interview.
Provide the candidate with all the relevant information
If you want to see the best that a candidate can offer, then it is important that you allow them to fully prepare. This means that you must let them know exactly what to expect, such as how and where the interview is going to be held, how long the interview will be and who will be present at the interview.
Make a good first impression
If you're going to a face-to-face interview, plan your trip there, do a trial run if it is at an unfamiliar location and arrive a few minutes early for the interview. Late arrival for a job interview is inexcusable.
Follow up.
Immediately after a job interview, send the hiring manager a thank-you note. If you have not heard back from them after a week, follow up with a phone call or an email.
1) Build a picture of exactly what you need 2) Provide the candidate with all the relevant information 3) Prepare for the interview 4) Introduction 5) Sell the job and company 6) Ask questions 7) Candidate questions 8) Describe the next steps 9) Close the interview 10) Reflect on the interview
Important Points to Consider in the Conduct of an Interview:
Schedule informational interviews.
Informational interviews are informal conversations with professionals in an industry or a company you might want to work for. Find out whether you are a good fit for a job by requesting informational interviews with someone working in a field that interests you.
Network regularly.
Interact with people and develop professional contacts both online and in person. Start conversations with people at seminars, social events or appointments.
Don't speak over the interviewer
It is important to be a good listener as well as a good talker. It shows that you are respectful and have strong interpersonal skills.
Sell the job and company
It is just as important for you to sell the opportunity to the candidate as vice versa, as if they do not get a good vibe from you they may look elsewhere.
Don't say, "If it's meant to be, then it will happen."
It will be toxic to achievement if you're not careful because this mind-set may remove the burden of progress from you and allows you to become passive instead of leading the charge on your goals.
Describe the next steps
Let the candidate know what to expect next, for example if you are interviewing more people, if there will be a second round of interviews and when they should expect to hear back from you.
Network regularly.
Let them know you're looking for a job or want to work in a certain industry. They might have connections or advice that can help you in your job search. You might also discover unlisted job openings or people might recommend you for future opportunities.
Do your homework
Look at their website and what's happening in the news to widen your research and see what the media is saying about the company. Don't limit your research to this alone - make sure you research the background of your interviewers, including their career history and specific achievements.
Make a good first impression
Looking the part is also important and you can rarely go wrong wearing a well-fitting suit. The amount of care you take in your presentation is a sign of your interest in the role and your seriousness
Sell your strengths and expertise
Make sure that you communicate your strengths to the interviewer in a concise, factual and sincere manner.
Close the interview
Make sure that you have both covered everything that you wanted to discuss before closing the interview. Once you are happy that you've asked everything you want to know, thank the candidate for their time and let them know that you will be in touch.
Plan ahead.
Make sure your resume and cover letter are up to date. If you need help creating these, search for templates or samples online.
Plan ahead.
Organize yourself and your schedule to search for jobs more efficiently. Determine how many hours per day or what days of the week you will dedicate to job hunting or networking.
Plan ahead.
Organize yourself and your schedule to search for jobs more efficiently. Determine how many hours per day or what days of the week you will dedicate to job hunting or networking. Make sure your resume and cover letter are up to date.
Surround yourself with people you admire and ditch the ones who breed negativity.
People tend to recalibrate their definitions of what is normal, what is possible, and what counts as success based on their surroundings. You can achieve things that nobody thought possible of you once you've reset your standards to a higher point. At the same time, the more successful or happy you become, the more you will either encourage negativity or inspiration in your friends or colleagues. They may have to adapt to a new perspective of what is possible
Identify examples of your skills.
People tend to remember engaging stories and examples over lists of facts. Plan ahead by identifying personal experiences or accomplishments that highlight the skills needed for a certain job.
Do your homework
Preparation is the first essential step in the interview process, so don't let yourself down before it's even taken place. Researching the company you are meeting with will show your interest in the business and give you an upper hand.
Find a person who has the life or job you want.
Purely as a result of their own ego, this person will tell you all about how they got where they are, and how you can too. Even if this is a person you don't know that well, drop them an email to ask if you can buy them a coffee and talk about their job.
Use all job search resources.
Rather than limiting yourself to manual online searches, take advantage of all job search options. This might include reaching out to companies or hiring managers in person, attending career fairs, searching social media or using a career counseling service.
Don't assume it isn't an interview
Regardless of what interview stage you are at or who you are meeting - it may be over a coffee, a few drinks or just labelled a final chat - it is still used as an opportunity to assess your suitability for the potential role.
Prepare smart, open ended questions to ask the interviewer
Remember that an interview is a two-way street, asking questions will help illustrate your interest and motivation to succeed in the role and company, as well as get you noticed and separate you from other candidates. It will also determine if this really is the opportunity or business you want to join.
Prepare for interviews.
Research common interview questions, create responses for them and practice those responses before you get invited to an interview. Ask a friend or professional contact to do a practice interview with you.
situation task action result
STAR method
Schedule informational interviews.
Search for potential interview subjects on professional networking sites or member organizations.
Get resume and cover letter help.
Some job seekers even choose to work with a professional resume-writing service or resource to save time and enhance your resume and cover letter.
Surround yourself with people you admire and ditch the ones who breed negativity.
Surround yourself with people you admire to raise the bar for yourself so you accomplish more, and get rid of those people who want to bring you back down to the level that they're comfortable with. Just be careful that the people you admire are a diverse group or you risk becoming a polarized, one-dimensional person.
Prepare for the interview
Taking into account the checklist that you have put together of all the qualities you are looking for, prepare a list of questions that will help to assess the candidate's suitability in relation to these factors. Though some of the questions will be more generic or related to the specific role, try to tailor some questions towards the individual and their background.
Ask questions
Taking it slowly will also provide you with the time to think of intelligent questions to ask them that are directly related to them as an individual, rather than those that are clearly pre-planned.
Provide the candidate with all the relevant information
The candidate will appreciate being kept in the loop, as being caught off guard in an interview can often trigger nerves and hinder performance.
Sell the job and company
The first few minutes of the interview should then be spent providing the candidate with information about the company, what you do, the reasons for hiring and what the role involves.
Ask questions
The interview should flow as more of a conversation than an interrogation, so make sure that you are listening attentively and asking follow up questions to the candidate's responses. Allow them to finish talking before you jump in with another question, as by taking it slowly the candidate is more likely to elaborate on their response, or share more experiences.
Don't speak poorly about your present or former employers
The interviewer will assume you will do this to them if you leave and question your professionalism.
Make a five-year plan.
The results will probably scare you because if you're ambitious you will realize there are steps you need to take now to be on schedule.
Develop an interesting and relevant skill that isn't a prerequisite.
The same goes for the skills market: you need to be good at the prerequisite skills, but if you only put your energy into those, you might find the traffic on that route overwhelming when you try to stand out. Develop a niche skill that is desirable but not something the competition has to have. It will make you more interesting and more useful.
Don't speak poorly about your present or former employers
This is a big red flag to anyone interviewing a candidate.
Make a five-year plan.
This isn't just to help you figure out where you want to be in five years' time; most importantly it is a detailed plan of how you're going to get there. Start with where you want to be in five years and then work back, step-by-step, including each task/project/accomplishment you will need to achieve to move between steps.
Don't say, "If it's meant to be, then it will happen."
This thought is incredibly comforting and it can occasionally be useful when you're bravely bouncing back from a setback. But really this thought is just an excuse for inaction.
1. Know your career goals. 2. Plan ahead. 3. Get resume and cover letter help. 4. Use all job search resources. 5. Customize your resume. 6. Research companies. 7. Apply with confidence. 8. Schedule informational interviews. 9. Succeed in your current job. 10. Network regularly. 11. Identify examples of your skills. 12. Prepare for interviews. 13. Follow up. 14. Expand your skills.
Tips for the Job Hunter
Customize your resume.
To simplify this step, have templates of your resume and cover letter ready to customize. Keep key sections such as your education and contact information the same, but personalize your abilities or past job duties to fit the job you are applying for.
Listen and respond accordingly.
Too often the feedback from clients is that the candidate does not answer the question in a clear and direct manner
Use all job search resources.
Use job search engines to find openings on job boards, company websites, professional associations and more. Sign up for daily or weekly job alerts by email.
Expand your skills.
Use these opportunities to expand your network of contacts or advance to a full-time position. You might also take online courses or attend workshops to build certain skills or learn technologies and processes relevant to your industry. Update your resume as you gain more experience or accomplishments.
Follow up.
When doing so, show your excitement and interest in the job. While you wait for a response, continue searching for and applying to jobs that interest you.
Reflect on the interview
While the interview is still fresh in your mind, take some time to go over your notes and reflect on some of the things they had to say and jot down any other important information that will contribute to your decision. Although you may still be waiting to interview other people, you can make a judgement about whether you feel they could be suitable for the role.
Introduction
You can also use this time to introduce them to the relevant people and provide them with a brief breakdown of the structure of the interview, how long it will last etc.
Plan ahead.
You might also choose to set up a professional email account to keep your job search messages separate and organized from your personal ones. Completing these steps before starting your job search can make the process faster and easier.
Succeed in your current job.
Your professional attitude and efforts can result in job references or opportunities in the future.
Research companies.
Your research will tell you whether you want to or are qualified to work for that company. It also gives you valuable information you can reference in your cover letter or interview.
Interview
a formal meeting in which one or more persons question, consult, or evaluate another person.
Interview
a meeting or conversation in which a writer or reporter asks questions of one or more persons from whom material is sought for a newspaper story, television broadcast, etc.
Malcolm Gladwell
author of Outliers describes IQ as, "not knowledge for its own sake. It's knowledge that helps you read situations correctly and get what you want."
high IQ
enables you to apply yourself very well to a given task, which is good but isn't going to set you apart.
Get a mentor.
if you appeal to this person's ego and/or generous side, you will have somebody you can send hundreds of career-related questions to. They will also become incredibly useful when you need somebody to vouch for you.
IQ
is a prerequisite for any good job, but it's repeatedly been shown to not be a great indicator of success.
1. Don't speak poorly about your present or former employers 2. Don't falsify information 3. Don't speak over the interviewer 4. Don't assume it isn't an interview 5. Don't let any past rejections infringe on future ones
top 5 things you should never do before or during an interview::