How To Go To A Job Interview

Be Ready For The Small Talk

Getting the small talk right can have big consequences. Its a way for people to build rapport and affinity, and start to generate that elusive, intangible quality of chemistry that characterises all effective business relationships.

So as part of your interview preparation, its a good idea to think ahead to some likely topics that might come up, so as to help keep the conversation flowing smoothly. The key is to come up with topics where you have a shared interest, so that youre able to both ask and answer credible questions.

For example, if you see a picture of your interviewers family, perhaps you could ask about them and be ready with a family anecdote of your own. Or if youre a sports fan and you spot signs that your interviewer is too, perhaps you could ask a suitable question that youve also got an interesting answer to .

Think, too, about topical themes. For example, has your potential employer been in the news recently? Or could you ask about the potential impact on the company of a recent development, such as Brexit or falling share prices or a serious malware attack? In each case, make sure you have an interesting thought of your own to contribute too.

Sample Email Canceling An Interview

Subject: Your Name – Cancel Interview

Dear Hiring Manager Name,

Thank you for very much for contacting me regarding the customer service agent position available at XYZ company. I appreciate your consideration for the job, but I need to cancel the interview that was scheduled for Tuesday, January 15th at 10 am.

I will not be available to interview and would like to withdraw my application for the position. Again, thank you for your consideration.

Best,

What Not To Do:

I once heard someone standing outside our building, smoking furiously and complaining loudly on their phone about the early start time of their meeting and wondering aloud why they were even there. When I got to my next interview, I realised to my dismay the noisy moaner was my next candidate! Not a great start

Don’t Miss: Questions To Ask Cfo In Interview

How Do You See This Position Evolving As The Company Grows

Ruchi Desai, Director of Operations at XCLAIM, likes that this question packs a one-two punch: It shows that you as the candidate are thinking about the big picture, are ambitious and care about more than just the immediate tasks in front of you, she says. Conversely, it gives you insight into how the manager views the position is the team merely filling an immediate need and piling on unwanted tasks, or is it critical to achieving the companys vision and mission?

Camille Ricketts of Notion also thinks a powerful way to stand out from the candidate pool is with this variation of the question: If I were to succeed in this role, what would be true for the company? It makes it clear that you as the candidate want to connect your work to meaningful impact and have an authentic desire to understand what the company needs. It sends the signal that you want to be accountable for making real things happen, she says.

Tell Me About The Last Time A Co

Conflict is inevitable when a company works hard to get things done. Mistakes happen. Sure, strengths come to the fore, but weaknesses also rear their heads. And that’s OK. No one is perfect.

But a person who tends to push the blame — and the responsibility for rectifying the situation — onto someone else is a candidate to avoid. Hiring managers would much rather choose candidates who focus not on blame but on addressing and fixing the problem.

Every business needs employees who willingly admit when they are wrong, step up to take ownership for fixing the problem, and, most important, learn from the experience.

Also Check: Interview Questions For A Cfo

How Would Your Team Describe You

Whats your management style? is an all-too-common question, more likely to elicit platitudes than nuggets of wisdom consider this minor reframing that majorly shifts the conversation, courtesy of Zainab Ghadiyali, a fount of career-building wisdom. She blazed an incredible trail as a product and tech lead at Airbnb and Facebook, and co-founded a side hustle that went on to be acquired by Anitab.org.

One of the top three reasons people leave a job is due to manager misfit, so during the interview its critical to understand what the hiring managers style is, says Ghadiyali. Framing it from the perspective of the reports prompts the manager to think beyond their intent and instead consider their actual working relationships with the team, she says.

Tips For Before The Interview

In the days before your job interview, set aside time to do the following:

1. Start by researching the company and your interviewers. Understanding key information about the company youre interviewing with can help you go into your interview with confidence. Using the companys website, social media posts and recent press releases will provide a solid understanding of the companys goals and how your background makes you a great fit. Review our Complete Guide to Researching a Company.

2. Practice your answers to common interview questions. Prepare your answer to the common question: Tell me about yourself, and why are you interested in this role with our company? The idea is to quickly communicate who you are and what value you will bring to the company and the roleits your personal elevator pitch. Review our guide to answering

Tip: You should come prepared to discuss your salary expectations. If youre unsure what salary is appropriate to ask for, visit Indeed’s Salary Calculator for a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.

Image description

Tips on responding to “Tell me about yourself:

Related:

You May Like: Mailscoop Io

Could You Give Us An Example Of A Personal Or Professional Achievement

If you can think of an achievement that relates to the job for which you are applying, it will seem more impressive and relevant to recruiters. However, if you have an equally impressive achievement that you would like to share, dont be afraid to do so. If you are talking about a previous job, be sure to include what you were working as, for how long you worked on the achievement prior to the result or outcome.

Think about which of your achievements would be most relevant to your potential employer? Whenever you are asked any competency based question, use STAR format:

SITUATION / TASK Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish. Be very specific and give details, but keep it short and concise. Give them a bit of context about every example what was the situation before you had to step in? What was the problem? What was the impact of this problem on you/others?

ACTION Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what you did not the efforts of the team. Use words such as I initiated/led/managed for etc. otherwise the interviewer will not know what your personal contribution was. You can mention some time-frames, people involved, names, results etc.

RESULTS Describe what you achieved. What happened? What was the final result? How much money/time did you save? What did you accomplish? What did you learn? What feedback have you received? etc.

Don’t Check Out At Your Current Job

You’ve reached the last round of the interview process, and you feel positive that the job is yours. However, don’t be overconfident. You never know what an interviewer is thinking or what can happen. A job isn’t yours until you have the offer, and even then, job offers can be retracted, Menke explained.

“Sometimes it’s not even about the candidate, but there’s been a shift in the team or company,” Menke said.

Confidence without confirmation is dangerous. Don’t slack off at your current job because you feel that you may soon be leaving it behind. Maintaining the right attitude and a strong work ethic isn’t only about respecting your current employer, it’s a reflection of your character, Menke said.

“Our circles are small. Paths cross over time, and people remember,” Menke said. “Make the decision to leave on top, and don’t be the person who teeters out.”

Also Check: How To Prepare System Design Interview

Plan Your Journey To The Job Interview

When preparing for a job interview one of the most important things to consider is how you are going to get there. A failure to plan is a plan to fail. If you are planning on driving to the interview, make sure you fill your car with fuel the night before. You dont want to be filling up on the way dressed in your suit.

Make sure you arrive on time, or better yet, at least 15 minutes early. Ensure this by knowing the address and if you can, have a trial run a couple of days before. The morning of the interview, check the traffic reports and have a backup route planned just in case. If you are travelling by train or bus, make sure you check the weather report the night before and keep an eye on the public transport websites for any delays. Look out for track works or traffic conditions that can potentially delay your train or bus trip.

Go to bed early the night before and wake up early to give yourself plenty of time.

What Would : 1’s Be Like With My Direct Manager What Types Of Topics Would We Discuss

While on its face, this might not seem to be a question specifically about DEI, Howard Ekundayo, Engineering Manager at Netflix, finds it can reveal how much leadership makes the effort to include every voice and show up for employees especially when folks on their team cant set aside external stressors when they sit down at their desks in the morning. This question can provide insight into the degree to which a manager is inclusive, empathetic and transparent, he says. Our manager’s style of leadership can significantly impact our overall success and growth in a specific role. Given the impact of COVID-19, the heightened coverage of systemic injustices, and anxiety stemming from the political climate , it’s important now more than ever that we can depend on the necessary level of support from leadership.

Don’t Miss: Questions To Ask A Cfo In An Interview

How To Respond If An Employer Asks You To Call To Schedule An Interview

Another type of email you might receive from an employer is a request to call the employers offices to schedule an interview. Even though the employer wants you to call, you could also consider sending a brief confirmation email. Heres an example:

Dear Ms. Wade,

Thank you for considering me for the Social Media Manager role at XYZ Company. Per your request, I will call you tomorrow afternoon to arrange for an interview.

I look forward to speaking with you. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.

Sincerely,Phone: 555-1234

Here’s How To Interview For A New Job Without Getting Fired From Your Current One

• Limit the number of in-person interviews you’re going on to minimize your boss’s suspicions.
• The reasons you give your employer for taking time off don’t always have to be a doctor’s appointment. Be vague or mix it up.
• During the interview process, ask if you can schedule your appointment before or after work.
• Keep all job search information off your work computer and phone.

Looking for a new job when you already have one is a balancing act. There is nothing wrong with trying to find something different, especially when your current job doesn’t give you the professional and financial support you need.

Studies show that having a job can help you land your next one. Unemployed people spend seven times more hours per week applying to jobs versus employed candidates. Employed candidates are more likely to receive unsolicited contact from a potential employer or a referral, according to the Survey Consumer Expectations Labor Market Supplement.

However, being employed doesn’t make the job search process easier. Employed candidates face different struggles, such as getting time off and staying engaged at their current jobs. Here’s how to juggle your present responsibilities and potential opportunities.

Also Check: Questions To Ask A Cfo During An Interview

What Is Your Teaching Philosophy

This isnt a question solely for those applying to teaching positions. Employers may ask this of anyone who might be leading or teaching others. Your response will allow employers to gauge your personal skills and if you would be a good culture add. A good answer will concisely identify what you think teaching should achieve and include concrete examples to illustrate your ideas.

Example answer:When it comes to managing people, my teaching philosophy is to start by asking questions that hopefully get the person to come to a new conclusion on their own. This way, they feel ownership over the learning rather than feeling micromanaged. For example, in my last role, I was editing an article written by a copywriter I managed. The story didnt have a clear focus or hook.

In a one-on-one meeting, I asked her what she thought was the main point of the article if she had to sum it up in a sentence. From there, I asked if she thought the focus was clear in the article. She didnt think it was clear and instead thought she should rework her introduction and conclusion. As a result, the article improved and my direct report learned a valuable writing lesson that she carried into her future work.

Read more: Interview Question: What is Your Teaching Philosophy?

Plan Your Travel Arrangements

Coordinate how and when you will arrive at your interview. Make sure to map your route and leave plenty of time for travel and potential traffic. Arriving early for your interview is a great way to show your interviewer that you are punctual. Arrange to leave early should traffic become an issue. Have the address of the location readily available if you need to reference it.

If something out of your control comes up, keep your interviewers contact information on hand, as well, in case you need to call them and make them aware of the situation. If your interview will take place in an area close to you, its a good idea to visit the surrounding location in advance to scope out parking and traffic so you know what to expect the day of your interview.

Don’t Miss: Best System Design Interview Prep

Prepare For The Interview

You don’t need to memorize an answer, but do take the time to consider how you’ll respond. The more you prepare, the more confident you’ll feel during a job interview.

When you’re not sure what to expect during an interview, also take time to review this refresher on how job interviews work, and these tips on how to prepare to ace your job interview.

Tips For Sending A Letter Declining A Job Interview Invitation

Be Sure: Once you’ve declined the job interview, you can’t change your mind. So before you send the letter turning down the interview, be sure about your decision. You won’t be able to say yes to this interview opportunity after you’ve said no. Change your mind, and you’ll risk coming off as unreliable, flaky, indecisive, or worse.

Respond Quickly: While you need to be sure about your decision not to go forward with the interview, you should also respond to an employer’s invitation as quickly as possible. This is especially true if you’ve already made solid plans for a formal interview. Here’s how to cancel the interview, if you’ve already scheduled a meeting. Be respectful of the hiring manager’s time and priorities.

If you’re not going to go forward with the interview process, it’s important to step aside as soon as possible so that an interested candidate can take your place.

Be Courteous: Be polite and gracious in your email to avoid burning any bridges. After all, you may want to apply for open positions at the company in the future. Most industries are small worlds, and hiring managers do network with human resources personnel at other companies to identify and help place qualified job candidates. Be rude in your communications with the hiring manager, and you might wind up shut out of other jobs that are more in line with your goals. You most likely would lose a chance for employment with their organization in the future.

Recommended Reading: System Design Interview Prep

Think Of An Explanation For Why Youre Job Searching

Companies will often choose someone less talented if they also seem less risky or if their motivations make more sense. Ive seen it first-hand.

Dont lose out on a job to somebody with less skill than you. Prepare some legitimate reasons why you want to make a move . Here are some examples:

• Youve accomplished ____ in your current role and youre ready for a new challenge
• Your companys direction has shifted and you feel its time to join a new organization
• Youre interested in a different type of product/service
• Youre looking for a larger or smaller organization

You can get more specific based on your situation. These are general ideas. If you do a good job with this you can beat out applicants that have more experience than yourself, because theyre not using these strategies most likely.

And if youre unemployed right now, here are 20 good explanations for why you chose to leave your last job.