Interviews of all kinds

At this point you do have to talk to another person; it is really scary I know. I would prefer we do text message interviews, but we can handle a phone call or in person interview. We just must prepare.

The purpose of an interview is for the hiring manager to figure you out; this is your chance to show off and make them like you. There are a few constants across the board, but for the most part, each interview is going to be a little different.

Every interview you get means a bit of research and practice. Even the most veteran interview-goers practice, because it makes us more assertive and confident in the moment. Research wise, investigate the company or business. Figure out what their company is all about. This means, go to their website and read the about page. If the company has any initiates like eco-friendly plans or support programs, make note of those. It is good to maybe plan to ask a question about how an employee can get involved in their social initiatives.

Other preparation means practicing answering basic questions. Below are a few that I have gotten over and over again.

Tell me about yourself.

This is an elevator pitch. They are not asking about your astrological sign or MBTI but your professional history. Tell them where you went to school, what subjects you did well in, and what jobs you have had. Try writing out your answer using this template and practice it till you have most of the pitch memorized. Answering this question should be the same for every position.

Basic elevator pitch template: Greeting and your name. What role are you applying for and why would you be a good fit. Where did you go to school and what courses did you do best in. Previous work experience. Express interest in the company or job, end with a question about it if possible.

Why do you want to work here?

This is why you did that research on the company. Reference their values, what does this company highlight on their about page. Some companies value family so their about page shows a picture of a family of some kind and talks about how it was founded by a father and son or something. In that case you can talk about how excited you are to work in such a warm and kind environment.

Tell me about the time you did not get along with someone and how you handled it.

This question is them trying to figure out how you handle conflict. They want you to be about mediation and compromise, show you are a team player.

Tell me about a challenge you have faced a how you handled it. This may also be phrased as a time you made a mistake. Both can be asked for in the same interview, so prepare answers for both.

This one is about you showing you how you can adapt. You can overcome. There are plenty of ways you can make yourself look good in answering this question, but the goal is for you to tell them about something that was hard, but you succeeded. The best answer can be condensed to 4 sentences (this is the STAR method). First tell them what the situation was. Then explain your task, or your role. Now explain the action you took. Then explain the result.

What is your greatest strength/weakness?

This one has a pretty obvious reason. They want to know what you value most about yourself. And what you feel insecure about. But of course, everyone could tell you that there are ‘weaknesses’ that make you look good. An example is being aggressively organized, you can say you are a neat freak and often clean when you are thinking. This is of course a strength to others because you will clean up after them whereas it is annoying and frustrating for you.

How do you handle stress or pressure?

Another question that feels transparent, be honest but soften your answer. Don’t admit you are full of panic attacks because they will not respect honesty. Instead, just say how distressed you are. What calms you down? What do you do after a long day or in the moment to keep yourself grounded?

Why did you leave your last job?

This question can be tricky; you don’t want to admit if you left a position because of conflict or were fired. The main acceptable answers discuss either a lack of advancement opportunities, wanting a new challenge, or maybe wanting to change careers.

If you were fired, try to talk good about the company you left while saying “I just was not a good fit for the position because they wanted XYZ, so my boss and I agreed it was time for me to find a new role.” If you were laid off be honest if it was because the company was struggling financially, facing a lesser workload, or changing the workforce.

Try to mention being a recent hire, companies often hire newer employees first despite their talent. This makes it seem like you were not the slacker, just the unfortunate victim of a company’s hardship. No matter what angle you take, talk well of your last position or your coworkers. This shows that even when you leave, you are not upset or angry.

Any questions for us?

This is your time to shine. I always prepare 3 questions for each interview. I like to think it is my goal at this moment to shock them. Usually, my first question is about what the workplace is like or the company culture? Another old favorite is what is your ideal candidate?

I personally like asking if there is a specific challenge the interviewer faces often in their position. It catches them off guard to be asked about the negative, makes them start to try and sell the job to you. And I always ask about leadership styles. The real hard hitter will always be asking if they have any reservations about hiring you that you can address before leaving.

Keep in mind that you can come up with written questions prepared for them. You are also welcome and encouraged to ask questions throughout the interview. Make it a conversation. If it feels natural, they will feel more at ease with you. That is a bonus in your column from my perspective.

Practice answering these questions to a mirror, to a friend or family member, to a camera. Let yourself get comfortable with the specific humble bragging that is essential for interviewing. If you record yourself, watch how you speak. Try avoiding filler words such as ‘like’ ‘um’ ‘and’ or ‘uh’.

I also recommend cutting back on fidgeting. Filler words and fidgeting are both perfectly natural habits, but the business world has labeled them as nervous and unprepared. So, candidates who speak without those repetitive filler words and fidgeting seem more confident and ill at ease.

When you get to the interview, try greeting anyone you see working there. If there is a receptionist, talk to them. Ask about their day and their job. Don’t be pushy or annoying, if that person seems busy or annoyed then it is okay to leave them alone. This is an optional step but if someone seems friendly and happy to talk then take the chance to get to know the company a bit more. And this step also makes you look friendly and excited about the position.

Feel free to take notes during your interview. It shows you are paying attention and value what the interviewer is sharing.

After the interview is over, thank whoever it is you spoke to. Remember their name and then find them on LinkedIn. Send them a quick “Thanks for talking to me today, I am excited about the position and hope to talk to you again in the future.”

If you get rejected, please also send a follow up message to either that person via LinkedIn or through email. The message should say something like:

Dear [company or interviewer name],

I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. It was a pleasure meeting all of you and getting a firsthand look at [profession or office title].

[Optional paragraph discussing the things you asked the interviewer. This shows that you were engaged and remembered. Add on what you will take from this experience to future interviews or positions.]

I wish you much success now and in the future. Please keep me in mind if any other openings come up in the future, I would still be very excited to work with your company in the future.

Best regards,

[your name]