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What are some good tips for job interviews?
Are there certain questions to ask interviewers?
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7 answers
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hello Jocelyn!
Great question and I see a lot of great advice here.
I have interviewed hundreds of people throughout my career and here are the things that stand out for me.
1. Be on time - by this I mean be at least 5 minutes early - but dont show up 30+ minutes early.
2. Be dressed for success -this is your opportunity to make a first impression - you only get 1
3. Have printed copies of your resume to provide and if it is online - then send it about an hour before your interview
4. Prepare - review the job posting, research the company, review your resume. Once you do that think of your best examples that showcase your skills that align with the job. Jot a few notes so that you can quickly reference them.
5. Practice - have someone mock interview with you
6. Ask a couple of key questions (love some that are in other answers here) - don't ask "what is the salary", "what are the hours I will work" (save those for when you have been offered the job)
7. Thank them for the interview - either in person, and/or by sending a thank you note - this is a great opportunity to quickly highlight how excited you are and why you think you are a good fit. A few sentences only.
8. Be brief but thorough in your answers - no one needs the entire story - Just a quick summary of the situation, what your role was, what action you took and what the outcome was. Be sure that you are focused on your actions and what you learned if things didn't go so well.
9. Finally, Never, Never, talk bad about a current or former employer or manager. This is the time to talk about you, not others.
Great question and I see a lot of great advice here.
I have interviewed hundreds of people throughout my career and here are the things that stand out for me.
1. Be on time - by this I mean be at least 5 minutes early - but dont show up 30+ minutes early.
2. Be dressed for success -this is your opportunity to make a first impression - you only get 1
3. Have printed copies of your resume to provide and if it is online - then send it about an hour before your interview
4. Prepare - review the job posting, research the company, review your resume. Once you do that think of your best examples that showcase your skills that align with the job. Jot a few notes so that you can quickly reference them.
5. Practice - have someone mock interview with you
6. Ask a couple of key questions (love some that are in other answers here) - don't ask "what is the salary", "what are the hours I will work" (save those for when you have been offered the job)
7. Thank them for the interview - either in person, and/or by sending a thank you note - this is a great opportunity to quickly highlight how excited you are and why you think you are a good fit. A few sentences only.
8. Be brief but thorough in your answers - no one needs the entire story - Just a quick summary of the situation, what your role was, what action you took and what the outcome was. Be sure that you are focused on your actions and what you learned if things didn't go so well.
9. Finally, Never, Never, talk bad about a current or former employer or manager. This is the time to talk about you, not others.
Updated
Arianna’s Answer
It seems as if you've been given an amazing variety of questions for interviews already, one thing I would add that has suited me well. Once you've asked the other questions, have a good grasp on what the role entails and are confident in your ability to either do it immediately, or to scale up to the skill level quickly, I finish my interviews with this: "Is there anything I have or have not said that has lead you to believe I may not be the best person for this role that I can clarify?". Along those lines. :) It gives you a chance to revisit any answers you may have stumbled on or to answer anything that may not have come up.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hey Jocelyn!
I have interviewed a lot throughout my career! What has worked the best for me is to research the company before hand and to make sure you come prepared with questions. Pretty much every time I interviewed the the interviewer would ask me if I had any questions and it really shows that you have an interest in the role if you come prepared.
Make sure you understand what the company does and their mission.
Here are some great questions that I always come to interviews with:
1 - What does success look like in this role?
2- What are some of the biggest challenges your team faces this year?
3- What does a typical day look like in this role?
4- How do you measure the success of the person in this role in the first year?
5- What is your management style?
6- Why is this role opened?
I have interviewed a lot throughout my career! What has worked the best for me is to research the company before hand and to make sure you come prepared with questions. Pretty much every time I interviewed the the interviewer would ask me if I had any questions and it really shows that you have an interest in the role if you come prepared.
Make sure you understand what the company does and their mission.
Here are some great questions that I always come to interviews with:
1 - What does success look like in this role?
2- What are some of the biggest challenges your team faces this year?
3- What does a typical day look like in this role?
4- How do you measure the success of the person in this role in the first year?
5- What is your management style?
6- Why is this role opened?
Updated
Terri’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn - interviewing can be scary and intimidating. Here are some bullets that might help:
Always walk into a job interview with confidence but do not be over confident. That can come off poorly.
Always research the company you are interviewing with as that often will lead to questions you can ask in the interview.
Always have a resume ready and a list of references you can hand your interviewer.
Always have a few questions to ask as it shows interest in the position/company.
Show energy and enthusiasm during your interview.
Practice your answers with a partner - focusing on some basic questions.
Why do you think you are good fit for this job?
Why do you want this job?
Why did you leave a past job (if applicable)
Be prepared to explain any gaps in school or jobs if applicable.
At the end of the interview, always ask for the job if you are truly interested.
Also make sure you understand next steps and timing related to the company making a decision.
I hope this helps a bit and good luck with all your future interviews.
Always walk into a job interview with confidence but do not be over confident. That can come off poorly.
Always research the company you are interviewing with as that often will lead to questions you can ask in the interview.
Always have a resume ready and a list of references you can hand your interviewer.
Always have a few questions to ask as it shows interest in the position/company.
Show energy and enthusiasm during your interview.
Practice your answers with a partner - focusing on some basic questions.
Why do you think you are good fit for this job?
Why do you want this job?
Why did you leave a past job (if applicable)
Be prepared to explain any gaps in school or jobs if applicable.
At the end of the interview, always ask for the job if you are truly interested.
Also make sure you understand next steps and timing related to the company making a decision.
I hope this helps a bit and good luck with all your future interviews.
Updated
Luke’s Answer
Admittedly, I'm not the best interviewer but but introducing myself I've found it effective to give a few personal details and my interests - this allows you to connect with the interviewer in the conversation aside from the job posting.
Otherwise, the role related questions should be curtailed to the job posting but a general question I like to ask is about the day-to-day. I want to know what I will actually be doing on a daily basis. What are my daily/weekly/quarterly tasks? Who do I report to? etc.
Otherwise, the role related questions should be curtailed to the job posting but a general question I like to ask is about the day-to-day. I want to know what I will actually be doing on a daily basis. What are my daily/weekly/quarterly tasks? Who do I report to? etc.
Updated
Misti’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn!
Taking some time to prepare before an interview will help you feel and come across more confident. I would recommend spending some time researching the role/company, goals, mission, experience needed, etc. This will help you get an idea of what they might be looking for, and how you can convey that you meet that criteria.
I highly recommend coming up with a question or two to ask the person interviewing you. These should be asked in a way that helps you set yourself up to pitch why/how you can match what they are looking for. For example, you could ask something like: "What skills or experience would the ideal candidate bring to this role?" Be sure to take note of what they answer with and then respond with how you can meet those needs.
Take advantage of this additional opportunity to set yourself apart from any other candidates. Make this your chance to sell yourself above just the standard questions they are already asking each candidate.
I hope this helps!
Taking some time to prepare before an interview will help you feel and come across more confident. I would recommend spending some time researching the role/company, goals, mission, experience needed, etc. This will help you get an idea of what they might be looking for, and how you can convey that you meet that criteria.
I highly recommend coming up with a question or two to ask the person interviewing you. These should be asked in a way that helps you set yourself up to pitch why/how you can match what they are looking for. For example, you could ask something like: "What skills or experience would the ideal candidate bring to this role?" Be sure to take note of what they answer with and then respond with how you can meet those needs.
Take advantage of this additional opportunity to set yourself apart from any other candidates. Make this your chance to sell yourself above just the standard questions they are already asking each candidate.
I hope this helps!
Updated
J’s Answer
It is a good idea to have a few questions to ask the interviewer. I generally find it helpful to know something about the company and the expectations the company has of employees.
There are many questions one could ask. Here are some examples
1. Describe the ideal employee? (The other side [interviewer to the interviewee] of this question would be as follows: Describe the characteristics you have that will make you a good employee?)
2. What type of work environment does management encourage: (The other side of the question: Describe the environment in which you would like to work?)
3. What will I be doing on a day-to-day basis? Who do I report to?
4. Is there an opportunity to grow in this company? (Some companies offer opportunities for people to move up)
5. When do you plan to make an offer to individuals?
6. Is there a training period after one is hired? If so, what does training involve?
I hope this helps
There are many questions one could ask. Here are some examples
1. Describe the ideal employee? (The other side [interviewer to the interviewee] of this question would be as follows: Describe the characteristics you have that will make you a good employee?)
2. What type of work environment does management encourage: (The other side of the question: Describe the environment in which you would like to work?)
3. What will I be doing on a day-to-day basis? Who do I report to?
4. Is there an opportunity to grow in this company? (Some companies offer opportunities for people to move up)
5. When do you plan to make an offer to individuals?
6. Is there a training period after one is hired? If so, what does training involve?
I hope this helps