Interview Tips

[Guest CollateralBeauty]

I have gone to so many interviews recently, and I guess I'm just curious to see if there is anything I could do to help get myself a step above everyone else.

 

I wear the professional attire. I keep the makeup and perfume light. I always come with all the required materials. Is there anything else I could do or do you have any reccomendations?

[junebug0325]

Hiya!

 

So, I don't know if I am qualified to answer this question but I recently just moved to a different state, and had to go through a round of interviews to secure a job to support myself. 

 

The one thing that I noticed was that if I made them laugh, they were more likely to hire me. Every time I made a witty joke to the interviewer and made them laugh, the hired me on the spot. If I didn't and I just answered the questions like I was supposed too, they wanted a little more time to decide. I'm not sure if this was due to the company or just due to the interviewer liking me, but I think it speaks volumes... if the interviewer likes you, you are more likely to get the job.

 

If you want to stand out, be yourself. Be honest. If you have a out-of-town trip that takes place within the 6 months of you getting hired, you need to be upfront and honest about it. They aren't going to not hire you because you have a wedding to go to and have to take off a Friday. 

 

Sorry for rambling. Ultimately, don't be like everyone else and just answer the questions. Try to make it a more lighter experience (and less boring) by being yourself, and not the generic, "I'm a perfect employee". 

 

Hope this helps!
 

 

 

 

Junebug xxx

[Real Human Guy]

The step that used to regularly stump me was the part where they ask if you have any questions. There's some generics that you'll be able to fit to most roles which usually go down well;

• What would my workload for the first 6-12 months be?
• What are the circumstances around this role becoming vacant? Something that drove someone to leave? Internal promotion? Workload necessitating increased headcount?
• Have there been any/risk of any redundancies/lay offs in the past 12 months?

Things that 1) put it in their mind that this position is yours, 2)show you're thinking ahead for your future in the company and 3) demonstrate that you're weighing the potential risks.

If you can have a look over the website/company literature and come up with a question which refers back to it, that helps too (it's a very obvious 'Look guys! I did some research!'. Surprising numbers don't).

 

Also, advice I got from the redundancy consultant Nestlé brought in the first time I got laid off... if you can, subtly tailor your outfit to match/compliment the company colours. Apparently seeds the impression that yes, you belong here.

Edited May 2, 2019 by EdinburghDD

[SamL]

An important piece of information that is missing is what type of job you are seeking.  Just as 'appropriate' behavior varies between the White House and a crack house, so too will appropriate interview tips for working security at either of those houses. There are some things though, which are universal.

 

The one thing that I noticed was that if I made them laugh, they were more likely to hire me. Every time I made a witty joke to the interviewer and made them laugh, the hired me on the spot. If I didn't and I just answered the questions like I was supposed too, they wanted a little more time to decide. I'm not sure if this was due to the company or just due to the interviewer liking me, but I think it speaks volumes... if the interviewer likes you, you are more likely to get the job.

 

This would be the most important in my opinion.  Junebug is spot on in her assessment.  In my life, I have interviewed over one thousand people for a variety of jobs.  Every person who made me laugh got hired.  In addition, I've never applied for a job in which I made the interviewer laugh in which I didn't get the job.  Best advice ever.

 

Look the interviewer in the eye when speaking with them.  You're allowed to look away (if you never do it can get creepy) but when you are giving an answer, look them in the eye.

 

If I was going to apply at (let's say for an example) Starbucks, I'd go in knowing something about the company.  You are almost always going to be asked why you want to work at the company you are applying to.  "Cause I need a job, duh!"  while probably accurate, isn't going to get you hired.  Look the company up online.  It is 4:09pm right now and I'm heading there now, let's time me....4:11pm..let's see what I've got.  Here's their mission statement: Starbucks Coffee's corporate mission is “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.”  They also have sections on their site on Global Responsibility, Diversity and Inclusion program, Youth opportunities, Commitment to the Military, Educational incentives, etc. etc.  That's all I could remember from a glance but if you want to ace the interview, you could potentially nail it with this one answer.  Something like, "

 

Starbucks mission statement: "To inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time."  That in itself is inspiring.   I think the more places like amazon take over and the more impersonal the world gets, the more places like this are going to matter to people - a place to connect with a real person that recognizes you by name when you walk in the door instead of being customer #9610583... it kind of sounds like you're an inmate.  Too, I really love Starbuck's commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

 

Lastly, be prepared for them to conclude the interview with the question, "Do you have any questions for me?"  Have one.  Most people do the 'deer in the headlights' stare when asked this question.  Blurt out your question and they may think you were coached and it's less than sincere (which isn't a bad thing - at least you were prepared) but I'd say something like this: "Oh cool, I'm so glad you asked, cause I really did have a question..." sounds a lot more like young, energetic, enthusiastic with a natural curiosity that will serve them well in learning the job.  Maybe a question about their continuing education program or something.  Best thing that could ever happen is they don't know the answer and have to call THEIR boss and say, "Hey I had an interviewee today ask me this question..." because if I were their boss I would immediately ask, "When is their first day."  That type of interest in a company i rare, sought after and valuable.  Use that to your advantage.

 

Good luck.