How Do I Ace An Interview

Why The Star Method Is Useful To Answer Interview Questions

According to Dudley, behavioral questions are becoming extremely popular as employers realize the importance of soft skills. Behavioral questions are meant to prompt a story from the applicant and so the answer needs to be told like a story.

I want to hear that they actually took a leadership role or that they solved a problem or that they stopped two people from getting into a big fight, Dudley said. I want to hear those sorts of stories and I want to believe them, of course.

Of course, the STAR method comes into play because while listening for the outcomes of those stories, interviewers are also judging the candidates soft skills and ability to get their point across.

In the act of telling those stories, what Im looking for is the content of the story itself, but Im almost more so looking at how they talk, Dudley said. Do they get excited? Are they enthusiastic? Are they positive? Do they have a good attitude? Are they making eye contact with me? Are they somebody I want to work with?

How To Ace Your One

Youre most likely very familiar with the traditional job interview where you meet with a recruiter or hiring manager face-to-face in their office. Nowadays, companies are implementing video interviews into their hiring process to better and quickly connect with candidates. The one-way interview, in particular, is used by many Spark Hire customers for the early stage of their interview process.

Below are answers to questions that you may have about your one-way interview so you can fully prepare and ace it:

Hone Your Storytelling Skills

Youll need to talk about yourself through compelling stories. The better you are at doing this, the more memorable youll be. If you struggle here, consider working with an expert career coach who can work with you so you have the skills and confidence to ace any interview. And, if you dont have access to something like the G5 Hub, take GetFive executive job coach Tom Rices advice and just use your smartphone. Wait, what? Read on for this devilishly simple trick to hone your storytelling skills.

Rice asks his clients to use their smartphones to record themselves answering questions as though they were in a job interview. People have very little idea of how they come across to others, he says, and seeing it in the palm of your hand is a powerful way to hone the impression youre making. The first step is to come up with a list of possible interview questions and craft a story for each answer. Practice those answers over and over and over so you dont even have to think about them. They need to roll off your tongue.

The next step is to grab your phone and record yourself answering those questions. When youre finished, view the recording in three ways.

Youll be horrified, Rice laughs. But thats OK. Because its only you seeing it, not your prospective employer. Now youve got a baseline and can see where you need to improve. Do it 25 times if you have to, to get it right, he says.

All of that practice and self-awareness will help you nail your next interview.

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Compliment The Interviewer And The Organization Without Self

In one study, led by researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Florida and cited on PsyBlog, researchers found that students who ingratiated themselves with their interviewers, without coming across as self-promotional, were more likely to be recommended for the job. Thats likely because those students seemed like a better fit for the company.

Specifically, the students who ingratiated themselves praised the organization and indicated their enthusiasm for working there, and complimented the interviewer. They didnt play up the value of positive events they took credit for or take credit for positive events even if they werent solely responsible.

Consultative Interviewing: How And Why It Works

Consultative interviewing, or going into your job interview as though youre a business consultant, armed with questions about the business and how your expertise might fit in, allows you to steer the conversation toward areas where you excel. And, as we all know, thats not the way typical job interviews go.

Think back to your last, or last several, job interviews. They usually go something like this: Youre led into a room with a hiring manager or a team, and they ask a series of questions designed to ferret out information about you with the goal of determining if youre right for the position, the culture, and the team. You are not in the drivers seat. They are. It can feel a little like an interrogation. Sound familiar? Were sure it does. Everyone has been there.

But if you go into it thinking of yourself as a consultant who is interviewing a new client about his or her business to determine if youre the right person to take on whatever challenges theyre facing, suddenly the whole experience transforms. Its more of a conversation about possibilities and opportunities, and less of an interrogation with you in the hot seat.

Interviewing like a consultant means taking a step back and asking questions about the company while remaining confident in your skills. It shows youre business savvy and willing to take charge to influence change. Ultimately, it gets noticed and is memorable when it comes to decision time.

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Use These 3 Tips To Ace A Virtual Interview

The coronavirus pandemic has shown us that anyone can work from anywhere, which means more job competition, especially for those just entering the workforce.

• To stand out in a virtual interview, focus on what you say, where you say it, and how you say it.
• Persuade the recruiter to invest in you by connecting your passions to the companys values.
• Use your background to show the recruiter who you are as a person.
• Make sure you talk slowly and use inflections to emphasize your main points. Your voice matters more in video than it does in-person.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here.

When it comes to landing a new job, its important to stand out professionally. This has always been true, but social distancing and virtual meetings have made it more difficult than ever to make a positive impression.

One thing can set you apart from the competition: exceptional communication skills. A person who is good at public speaking is irresistible to new employers . In one large study of the most critical, in-demand skills for a changing world, Adobe found that 71% of recruiters rank communication skills as the most desirable in job candidates. And yet, recruiters often say most candidates could improve in this area.

While its never a good time to lack this desirable asset, in a Covid-ravaged economy, where new graduates and young professionals are competing for fewer jobs, it might just be the worst especially in virtual job interviews.

How Do I Ace My Video Interview

So you’ve been invited to a video interview – congratulations

I mean, there’s no formula we can give you to guarantee you land your dream role but there are some key things you can do that’ll help you impress at your interview:

Show up on time: Put yourself in the manager’s shoes – You’re busy, you need a new awesome person you can trust to turn up and get the job done. If someone shows up for an interview late, it doesn’t exactly scream “this person’s going to be someone I can rely on”.

Prepare yourself ahead of time, plan to log into your video interview a few minutes early – that way you can check your technical equipment and test the sound so you know everything is working ok. If a real emergency happens and there’s no way round it, make sure you text or call to let them know you can no longer attend.

Look presentable: This is customer service – first impressions really count. If you’re clean, tidy and friendly, people are more likely to feel comfortable asking you questions. This is the vibe your interviewer is looking for too so dress appropriately for your video call and be sure look directly at the camera. De-clutter your space to minimise distractions.

Have some questions prepared: Avoid that awkward silence after the inevitable “so, do you have any questions for me?” question at the end of the interview. Have a list of a few things you can ask before you log in – things like “what do you like best about working here?” or “What kind of training do you offer?”.

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Tell Me About A Time You Overcame An Obstacle

Another one of my favorite questions. Interviewers ask this question to see if you are able to deal with roadblocks.

Things dont always go smoothly, so having people on the team who are able to solve problems has huge upside.

Being able to overcome obstacles is a great trait to have. Make sure you have a few stories about how something didnt go as planned that caused a challenge and how you were involved in solving the problem. Its a way of turning a bad situation into a good one.

Follow Up Your Interview

Most people believe that once they leave the interview room, there is nothing more they can do in order to get the job. They just go home and wait for the employer to give them a call, which may as well never happen.

Keep in mind that your success in an interview starts in a moment of composing your first job application, and ends no earlier than after a follow-up letter, or call. Check our interview follow-up section to understand how to write a great letter, and send one to the employer after every interview you go to. You can lose nothing but you can definitely win something sending your letter.

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What Are The 10 Most Common Interview Questions And Answers

Answers to 10 Most Common Job Interview Questions

• What Are Your Weaknesses?
• Why Should We Hire You?
• Why Do You Want to Work Here?
• What Are Your Goals?
• Why Did You Leave Your Job?
• When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
• What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Cant?

Question #: What Makes Someone A Good Flight Attendant

This is one of the flight attendant interview questions that gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the role and what your priorities will be when youre on the job.

• Answer with a list. State each quality with a brief explanation of why its important.
• Avoid rambling.
• Start with the top three qualities of providing great customer service, working well in a team setting, and professionalism. Then memorize this list in case youre asked to keep going: adaptability, physical and mental fitness, solid work ethic, ability to multi-task, decision-making skills, and warmth.

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Able To Achieve Work Life Balance

You wont be any good in the workplace if you arent taking good care of yourself. No one can serve from an empty vessel.

Employees who focus on work life balance are more engaged, more productive and happier in their positions. Doing a little extra hustle in the early days while you learn the ropes and get to know your team is one thing skipping lunch hours and staying late multiple times a week is another. Show the hiring manager that you have alignment and you arent just your job.

What are your hobbies or interests?

What strategies do you use to make good use of your down time?

How To Ace An Interview

Career advisor Linda Spencer provides sound tips for excelling at your next interview.

An interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. In this video, Linda Spencer, former associate director the Office of Career Services and coordinator of career advising, provides sound tips for excelling at your next interview.

Landing an interview for a job or internship is an exciting momentbut one often immediately followed by dread. No matter your age or experience, meeting with a potential new employer can be stressful.

First, take a deep breath and remind yourself that simply securing an interview means youve met the basic qualifications. Next, put in some work to ensure that you make the best impression possible.

Linda Spencer, former associate director of career advising and programming at Harvard Extension School, is no stranger to the interview process. In this post, she gives her expert advice on how to ace an interviewfrom preparation to follow-up.

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Question #: How Would You Handle A Passenger Who Will Not Comply With Flight Policies

Some flight attendant interview questions are posed in a what if format. The interviewer is looking for skills in conflict management, quick thinking, and good judgement. Read up on the airlines take-off and landing policies to help answer this question with finesse.

• Talk about the importance of remaining calm.
• Highlight your communication skills.

What Are Your Biggest Weaknesses

The reverse of the previous question, this one can tough because you canât reveal anything too damaging that will be a deal breaker. In this case, being too honest can be an issue. For instance, saying youâre a procrastinator prone to missing deadlines might not go over too well. Instead, try to think of constructive criticism youâve received in the past that youâve successfully addressed. Always make sure to note how youâre working on overcoming the issue.

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How To Ace Your Next Interview: Tips And Examples

Whether you are applying for an entry-level position or a senior role, you will probably have to interview with a potential employer before receiving a job offer. Since a job interview gives you a chance to show your qualifications and make a good impression on the hiring team, you will want to perform at your best during this important meeting. In this article, we discuss how to ace an interview, including preparation tips for common job interview questions.

Companies Are Asking New Questions And You Can Too

Graham has noticed that companies are asking candidates How have you handled the COVID situation? or What have you been doing with your time? These arent questions that youd normally be prepared for, so its important to reflect on them in advance. As with any other interview question, Graham recommends thinking about your audience and how you can apply your answer to what they need or what theyre looking for.

You should also feel free to ask this question in return, says Graham. Since you probably wont have the opportunity to see their office and get a sense of their work culture during your interview, its reasonable for you to ask how theyve responded to the pandemic or raise other questions about their culture. Graham suggests asking questions like Who are your heroes? or Who is rewarded at your organization? She says, Those types of things really get to the heart of the culture. So I think you need to do a little bit more work as a candidate to dig into that now.

Ultimately, you shouldnt feel any more nervous about a Zoom interview than you would about a normal one. Video interviews can give you a lot more control over the space that youre in. Plus, you wont need to worry about navigating a new building or neighborhood or arriving there exactly the right amount of early. And just remember, says Graham: The employer has already selected you from their applicant pile, and they want to meet you. So bring your best self.

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Hi Im Pamela Skillings The Creator Of Big Interview And A Top Interview Coach

I have helped countless clients from all types of backgrounds learn to ace their interviews and land jobs at companies like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Microsoft, and Intel.

Over the years, Ive discovered the BEST way to prepare for a job interview it not only works, but its infallible if you do it right. Its a method backed up by years of academic research on the dynamics of the job interview.

Consume The Right Stuff

You might think that your reading list is the last thing that should be on your mind before an interview, but with the right book, a little light reading could really boost your confidence.

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that consumers of literature begin to behave and think like the protagonists in the books they read. For instance, in one study, readers were assigned a book about a man who was disenfranchised from voting but successfully struggled and fought for his right to vote. Researchers found that the readers were then more likely to vote in elections as a result of having read the book.

Try this yourself: Instead of spending your time pre-interview fretting about whats to come, spend a little time immersing yourself in a book or article written by successful, positive people who may have struggled with the same things that you doand come out on top. By identifying with their struggles, you can also absorb the self-assuredness and energy that allowed them to break through the barriers holding them back.

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