What Do You Need For A Job Interview

Dive Into The Tailoring Method

Interview Tips to Get the Job | 5 Things You Need to Ace the Interview

Alright, the STAR Method alone is a pretty strong approach. But, by also learning the Tailoring Method, you have a secret sauce for creating delicious answers to behavioral interview questions.

The Tailoring Method is all about customization. You dont want to give the hiring manager a basic answer to a question you want to make it relevant and enticing, building an exceptional value proposition by showcasing how you can help their company thrive. Thats what the Tailoring Method helps you do.

Its an approach that makes the hiring manager and company the priority, not you. Its about positioning yourself as a solution to the problem the hiring manager is trying to solve . That makes the Tailoring Method a competitive advantage, as not all job seekers are going to go that extra mile.

What To Do During An Interview

Your qualifications and skills are only a part of what the hiring manager is looking for when conducting an interview. Whether you get the job depends largely on how you behave at the interviewwhat you do, what you say, and how you say it. From the first door you walk through to the final handshake on your way out, this lesson will help you learn how to behave during an interview. It will help you identify basic business etiquette that can improve your chances, as well as show you how your tone of voice and body language can be interpreted by an interviewer. It will also outline the basic rules for answering questions well.

Questions For The Interviewer

Questions for the interviewer arent optional in todays competitive job market theyre necessary. Asking thoughtful questions shows that youve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.

Make sure your questions are related to the company and what you can do to help them, said Fletcher Wimbush, CEO of The Hire Talent. Stay away from self-focused questions like Can I work from home on Fridays? or What is the 401 plan like?

You should only ask those types of questions after youve received an offer.

Recommended Reading: What Questions To Ask When Being Interviewed

How Do You Deal With Pressure Or Stressful Situations

Heres another question you may feel the urge to sidestep in an effort to prove youre the perfect candidate who can handle anything. But its important not to dismiss this one . Instead, talk about your go-to strategies for dealing with stress and how you communicate and otherwise proactively try to mitigate pressure. If you can give a real example of a stressful situation you navigated successfully, all the better.

Follow These Steps To Get Properly Prepared For Your Interview

How to Answer " Why Do You Want to Change Jobs?"

Alright, now that you know a bit about why preparing for an interview is important, as well as some mistakes to avoid, lets get down to brass tacks: how to prepare for an interview. After all, knowing you need to do it is only half the battle you have to follow through, using the right approach, too.

Luckily, we have your back. If you want to blow away the hiring manager, you need to take your interview prep to the next level. Heres how to do just that:

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How Do You Prioritize Your Work

Your interviewers want to know that you can manage your time, exercise judgement, communicate, and shift gears when needed. Start by talking about whatever system youve found works for you to plan your day or week, whether its a to-do list app you swear by or a color-coded spreadsheet. This is one where youll definitely want to lean on a real-life example. So go on to describe how youve reacted to a last-minute request or another unexpected shift in priorities in the past, incorporating how you evaluated and decided what to do and how you communicated with your manager and/or teammates about it.

Tim Hortons Interview Questions And Answers

1. Tell us about yourself?

Its okay to talk about your hobbies and interests but keep it brief. Try and focus on related work experience. Remember having related work experience will put you ahead of the competition.

2. Why should we hire you?

Tell them you are a hard worker and want to work in a fast-paced environment.
Mention you feel Tim Hortons offers exceptional value and service to the customer and because of this, you would be proud to represent them.
Tell them you want to learn more about the restaurant industry and feel that Tim Hortons would be a great place to do it.

3. What experience do you have?

If you have restaurant experience be sure to tell them about it.
State any customer service experience you may have.
Tell them about any fast-paced environment experience you have.

4. What is your greatest strength?

The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that you have which directly correlate with the job you are applying for. With this in mind, review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.

5. What is your greatest weakness?

Dont Say

Something related to the job
Steps to improve your weakness

Example

My greatest weakness is I take criticism too personally. I have learned not to overreact and think about what was said. I have found that I have become a better employee when I learn from feedback.

Read And Review The Job Description

Youve received a call for that dream job, so how do you prepare for the interview? The first step in the preparation process should be to go back and review the job description. Most job descriptions follow a similar pattern and are usually categorised by the following points:

Job title/Department
Duties and tasks
Skills required

The job title and department will give you an understanding of the major purpose of the position and where the role fits into the organisation, allowing you to discover who your potential line manager could be.

Read and review the job description very thoroughly and be sure to align your competencies with the skills required for the job. You will consequently ready yourself for questions around your previous experiences, performing similar duties in other organisations.

What To Ask During A Job Interview

5 Things You Should Never Say In a Job Interview

It’s your turn! As your job interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is, “What can I answer for you?” Your interviewer will expect for you to have some questions.

Not asking any questions could make you seem unprepared or disinterested, so take the time to have some questions of your own ready to ask the hiring manager.

Plan ahead and have interview questions of your own ready to ask the interviewer.

You aren’t simply trying to get this jobyou are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.

Also Check: How To Prepare For Software Developer Interview

Sample Answer #: Why Do You Want To Work For This Company

Well, the JP Morgan reputation is certainly a factor. I would be proud to build a career with JP Morgan, a company with such a long history of leadership in the industry.

Also, a good friend of the family has been working in corporate finance at JP Morgan for the last two years and he told me that the culture supports learning and development on the job and really rewards hard work. These are values I also share and feel I could be an excellent fit with JP Morgan.

Why We Like It:

In this case, the candidate is interviewing for a job with JP Morgan, a very well-known firm. In a situation like this, the tendency for many candidates is to basically answer, Well, its JP Morgan. Duh. In todays job market, thats not going to be enough to set you apart from other candidates, even if your resume is stellar.

This sample answer addresses the JP Morgan brand and history but also demonstrates that the candidate took the time to do some additional research through his network. The answer goes on to emphasize the candidates values, interest in working hard, and developing on the job.

Tips For After The Interview

When the interview is over, give yourself the best chances of moving forward by doing the following:

20. Ask about next steps. After your interview, it is appropriate to ask either your interviewer, hiring manager or recruiter about what you should expect next. This will likely be a follow-up email with results from your interview, additional requirements like an assignment or reference list or another interview.

21. Send a personalized thank you letter after the interview. Ask for the business card of each person you speak with during the interview process so that you can follow up individually with a separate thank you email. If you interviewed in the morning, send your follow-up emails the same day. If you interviewed in the afternoon, the next morning is fine. Make certain that each email is distinct from the others, using the notes you took during the conversations.

Also Check: How Do You Conduct An Interview

What Not To Focus On

Even though there are things that you wish you could be doing better, the important factor in the way that you answer this question is to retain your confidence. Be confident in what you can do and then shed some light on what you could be doing better. Dont use this as an opportunity to talk about what you cant do. Use this as an opportunity to talk about what you do well and how you could be doing it even better.

Dont use this question as a platform to:

Complain about the job.
Talk about skills you dont have.
Talk about things you wish were different.
Dont use this as a platform to brag.

That wont go far with the hiring manager. Theyre not seeking your opinion of the world. And theyre also not looking for you to boast about yourself. Such an answer like, I work too late at the office all week. is one that will make you look bad. Because you are using it as a platform to try and boast about your efforts, it will have adverse effects.

Copies Of Your Resume

Always bring more than one copy of your resume to your job interview. A good rule of thumb would be to bring four to five copies, as you may be interviewed by multiple people. Plus, you never know, things could go so well in the interview that the hiring manager sends you for a second interview with others from their team or even their boss!

It wouldn’t look very good if you can’t provide extra copies of your resume under such circumstances. The hiring manager might also ask you to leave a few copies for the HR personnel at the end. It’s a good idea to print out five extra copies of your resume and bring them in a resume presentation folder on the day of your interview.

Review The Job Description

The first step you need to take when preparing for an interview is to review the job description. The job description is chocked full of critical details, including the must-have skills and traits the hiring manager needs to find.

Once you bring up the original vacancy announcement, go over it word-by-word. When you spot skills and qualities, consider highlighting them or writing them down in a list. Anything the hiring manager felt was worthy of inclusion will likely come up during your interview.

Essentially, the job description is a cheat sheet. If the hiring manager listed a skill or quality in the job description you should be prepared to show the hiring manager you possess them!

Prepare Answers To Common Questions

Here are some common questions you may hear in an interview:

Can you tell me about yourself?
How did you hear about this job?
Why do you want this job?
Why should we hire you?
What are your strengths?
What do you know about the company?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What is your work ethic?
What kind of environment do you prefer to work in?
How do you handle work-related disagreements with your colleagues?
How would your current employer and colleagues describe you?
How do you handle pressure?
Do you have any questions for me?

In addition to preparing answers to these common interview questions, make sure you’ve also prepared some questions for the interviewer in return. This will show your investment in both the position and the organization.

Tips on responding to “Tell me about yourselfâ:1. Start by discussing your current situation2. Work backwards by hitting key points along your professional journey3. Connect your background, interests and qualifications back to the job

What Does Being Prepared For An Interview Really Mean

For many, the idea of being prepared for anything is a bit ambiguous.

Is there a specific point that separates the prepared from the ill-prepared? Do you have to dedicate a certain number of hours to the process of getting ready? Is there a critical step you have to make to cross the threshold?

Technically, the answer to those questions is no. In many cases, being prepared means youve done some due diligence. You know how to talk about your achievements in a way that entices the hiring manager. You can sprinkle in relevant tidbits of information based on research.

Essentially, being prepared means youve taken whatever steps were necessary to set yourself up for success, allowing you to arrive at your interview brimming with confidence. Youve dedicated time and attention to the process.

Even if the idea of being prepared isnt highly defined, that doesnt mean you cant do what it takes to make it happen. By following the right steps which well cover in a moment you can do proper laser focused research, prepare and practice relevant and engaging answers, and increase your odds of handling even the trickiest questions with ease.

Final Job Interview Tips: Checklist

Interview Questions and Answers! (How to PASS a JOB INTERVIEW!)

Check your journey a few days before your interview, the night before and right before you leave to work out the best route or see any delays this will also give you an idea of whether the commute is viable.
Make sure youre going to the right location, especially if the company has multiple offices.
Make eye contact, smile and take your time answering a question. If you get stuck, take a deep breath and ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify the question.
Manage your online presence. This could be updating your LinkedIn or making sure your Facebook, Twitter etc dont contain anything you wouldnt want a potential employer to see. Either delete tweets, remove tags from photos or set everything to private.

Recommended Reading: What Not To Say In An Exit Interview

Why Is This Position Available

Why ask it: The answer from this question can tell you a few helpful things including whether this is a new position , or whether someone left the position because they were promoted, moved laterally at the company, quit, or were fired. Whatever the answer, you will learn something valuable about the job and team you might join.

Practice And Tech Set Up

To get used to the technology and the body language of a video interview, its useful to do some practice video calls with friends or family members. Ask them to give you candid feedback about your appearance and eye contact. Run through it a few times until things start to feel natural.

This practice can make all the difference in your interviews. Set aside time in your schedule in the weeks and days leading up to your interviewyoull find your confidence growing as you become more comfortable in front of the camera.

On the day of your interview, review this checklist as youre setting up:

Ensure that you wont be interrupted, either by locking the door or by alerting others that you cant be disturbed .
Clear the desk space, except for a notepad and pen/pencil for you to take notes.
Have a copy of your resume and any other notes ready for you to reference.
Set out a glass or bottle of water for yourself.
Check that your webcam is working.
Check that your audio is working.
Close any windows, tabs or applications on your computer that youre not using.
Check your internet connection and make sure youre not downloading anything in the background.
Set your phone to silent.
Check that the background behind you is neutral and free from clutter.
Adjust the lights in the room. If things appear dark or dim, you may want to bring in an extra desk lamp to brighten the space.

So When You Answer What Skills Do You Need To Improve Pick A Real Area Youd Like To Get Better At But Make Sure Its Not Something Essential To The Job

You can choose something youre already pretty good at, but still trying to improve even more. You can choose something that you learned a long time ago but havent used in recent jobs very much.

You can name something not directly related to your work but something youre passionate about learning. For example, maybe youre an Accountant but someday youd like to be a Team Leader, so youd like opportunities to improve your leadership. You could suggest that youd like to lead a meeting or project to begin, just to build out that skill-set over the long term.

Lets look at some example answers and this will start to make more sense

Ill put that Accountant example above as the first example.