Interview time is here! You’ve done the preparation work—the research, the reviews, and of course you’ve read my previous blog post. Now it’s officially time for the interview! Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of my best tips for you to crush it.
1. Let the Conversation Flow
Many people get nervous in interviews. This is totally natural, and it shows that you care. Don’t suck the air out of the room, let the interviewer speak, and give room for questions. Be yourself, and always be respectful!
2. Think Before You Speak
Don’t take a 5-minute pause before you answer a question, but take an adequate breath before speaking. Try to slow down when speaking and be as articulate as you can—warm up your vocal cords beforehand!
3. Own What You Know & What You Don't Know.
Interviewers can smell BS from a mile away! If you don’t know, be honest.
4. Be Confident, but not Arrogant.
Many people lose out on jobs because they come off a bit too strong. Leave room for questions and ask questions. Nobody wants to work with a ‘know-it-all’.
5. C.A.R.L.
This technique is a great way to prepare for those dreaded behavioral questions, ie. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
These behavioral questions are always tough, and there is never a right or wrong answer. They will want to see how you react and how you collect your thoughts. Practice how you would answer a few of these beforehand and think of some experiences you’ve had in the past that you can speak to!
This stands for Context, Action, Result, Learning.
- Context: Briefly describe the context of your experience.
- Action: Explain what actions you took.
- Results: Explain what happened as a result of your actions.
- Learning: Identify what you have learned.
6. As the Interview winds down...
- Thank your interviewer for their time and consideration.
- A question I tell people to ask is “Is there anything on my resume or background that we didn’t cover that I could elaborate on?”
- Tell them how interested you are in the job!
- If you can muster it, or if it feels natural, tell them you want the job!
- Ask them about next steps in the interview process, and what their timeline is on when they want someone to be brought on board for the role.
7. Interview Follow Up
Send a “thank you” email within 6-8 hours after the interview.
Post-Interview
If you don’t hear anything from your recruiter or an HR representative, don’t be afraid to send a check-in email 4-5 days after the interview. Don’t be too worried if they haven’t gotten back to you. There are many things that go on behind the scenes, and some companies take longer to make a decision than others.
If they pass on you, politely ask if you could get some constructive feedback so that you can work on those areas for your next interview. Unfortunately, there will be some companies out there that will completely ‘ghost’ you. It’s natural to think poorly of the company if you don’t hear anything, but remember it’s a business and they’ve got a million things they’re trying to accomplish.
If they passed on you or you haven’t heard back, don’t get discouraged. Brush it off and move on to the next thing. There’s a great bit on Apple TV’s show, Ted Lasso, if you’re feeling down in the job hunt. And remember, that next opportunity is always waiting right around the corner!
