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What are some tips to have a good job interview?

I am a Senior in high school and I want to know how to perform well when I have to attend a job interview.

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Doc’s Answer

Patrick Obviously, you've researched the employer. Obviously, you've practiced answers to questions you know will be asked. Obviously you've printed out five copies of your résumé to take with you. And obviously you have your own questions ready (not too many). Below I've listed a few other things you should be doing to ensure you nail your next interview:

BE PREPARED
The preparation you do demonstrates your overall discipline, and it shows the interviewer the way you work—and whether you would put similar effort into the job itself. Also be sure to indicate interest in both the company and the job . Sometimes it can be a red flag if you overemphasize your desire to work for an organization and undervalue the job. Recruiters or hiring leaders may think you just want to get a foot in the door, and you won’t be committed to the role—so balance your knowledge and enthusiasm about both the job and the organization.

BE YOUR BEST
Interviewers are looking for your hard skills, but they’re also looking for soft skills like leadership, initiative and creativity. And soft skills aren’t really soft at all—since they affect teams, innovation and company culture. Most interviews use interviewing techniques which push you for specifics or behaviors. Be ready to share stories and examples which will ensure the points you make aren’t just generalizations, but demonstrate of your behaviors, your choices, your growth and your impact.

STAY CONNECTED
Most of all, stay professional throughout the process. Whether or not you get an offer and whether or not you accept it, always be graceful and maintain relationships. Everyone you meet in the process is part of your network. The more contacts you have in your network will be the meaningful connections that'll pave the way to a future full of opportunities.

Hope this was helpful Patrick
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Santhana’s Answer

1)Be on time. This often means 10-15 minutes early. ...
2)Use it during the interview. If you don’t know the name, call beforehand and ask the secretary. ...
3)Bring several copies of your resume. Also, bring a copy of your transcript. ...
4)Greet the interviewer with a handshake and a smile. ...
5)Expect to spend some time developing rapport. ...
6)Don’t be embarrassed if you are nervous. ...
7)Focus. ..
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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Vamshee’s Answer

Find your job interests, see what skills are required for jobs and acquire them.

Prepare a good resume, apply for relevant jobs, be honest and show good attitude in your interview highlighting your achievements, show your interest to learn, follow instructions and own the tasks etc.

Attend mock interviews, consult the school counselors, consult your seniors in college for some tips and guidance ..they might know the interview format for some campus jobs or companies in your areas of interest...use online resources to learn interview skills, job search etc.

Also starting job search early and applying for job increases your probability of getting jobs. Imagine if company wants to hire for 5 positions, you should be one of the few who applies first and do well in interview.

Research about a company , job before hand...so you can understand what they do and what job requires..so you can tailor your answers and questions accordingly..

be prepared to ask standard questions like..
tell me about yourself?
what are your strengths and weaknesses?
why do you need to be hired?
How do you handle the stress?
How do you prioritize the tasks? etc


Hope this helps!Good luck.
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lillie’s Answer

Always always always make sure when employers ask about your weakness you turn them into your strengths. Such as "I can sometimes I struggle with talking on the phone but I continuously keep answering it to build my skills". Or "I get very stressed at work but only because I care so much about it". Things like this will make a very good impression on employers.
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Miguel’s Answer

Hi! This is what I'd recommend:

1) Learn as much as possible about the company and the person interviewing you. You can start by checking the company's website, especially the mission/vision statement. I'd also recommend checking LinkedIn and Glassdoor profiles.
2) Have a few questions and scenarios (examples) ready as you will usually be able to implement in one of the questions. One of the best ways to answer a question is succinctly telling a story via the STAR method (there are plenty of good articles online to learn this method).
3) To show interest and commitment to the role you are applying for, try taking certification or courses that will enhance your knowledge base. There are great free certifications/courses in LinkedIn Learning and HubSpot Academy.
4) Be yourself; the recruiter/hiring manager are looking for someone authentic and genuine. Not in a bragging manner, but lay out there your best qualities and your strengths. Sometimes you don't have to be the most expert in certain areas of the role, but if you show you are eager to learn, your interest may land you the job you are applying for because you would have demonstrated your willingness to learn and achieve.
5) Make good questions when they ask you by the end of the interview. This will surely show the recruiter/hiring manager that you are interested and curious about the role and company.

Lastly, if you don't get the job, take it as a learning curve and good practice for when the right one comes along.

I wish you the very best!
Miguel
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Trudi’s Answer

Research the company you are interviewing for ahead of time. Act like you already work there. Practice a good hand shake. Come up with 3 good questions for at the end of the interview. Some I like to ask is what is the culture like? What do you like about working here? Ask the interviewer, when you started working here, what were some things you learned?
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Amber’s Answer

Hi Patrick,

Understand what the company you're applying for is all about. What are their values? What are their products? Who are their competitors? Invest in your knowledge about the company. Also make sure to have an answer ready on the question: why do you want to work at this company?

Do you have any contacts within the company? Contact them! Let them know you're enthusiastic about the job, and possibly ask some questions so you can better prepare for the job interview.

Also, make sure to prepare a one-minute "pitch" about yourself. In almost any job interview you must introduce yourself, where you're from, what your hobbies are, etc.

But most important: be yourself. If a company doesn't offer you a job, it means there will be something even better for you! Speaking from my own experience. :)

Good luck! You've got this.

Best wishes,

Amber
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Eirini’s Answer

Go through your resume in detail
Go through job description and prepare topics relevant to the vacancy
Be honest and politely ,say no if you do not know the answer
ask the interviewer to repeat a question or provide more details in a question that you do not understand
Research the company and role you have applied for. Be prepared to explain the rationale for your application and interest in both the company and role. Highlight your strengths and be aware of your weaknesses. Keep your answers concise and not too long winded. Interviewers will ask you for more details if they are keen to find out more. Last but not least, be authentic (i.e. be yourself).
Do some research to better know what the Company does and the industry.
Honesty. Honesty is the most valuable asset.
Demonstrate your core competencies.
Learn to sell yourself. Selling is not cheating, but fully demonstrating your strengths.


On Behalf of HPE voluntaries
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Alessandra’s Answer

Do your HomeWorks to come prepared, know what expectations are and the position you are applying for.
Understand the company background, beliefs and why you are interested in a position. Go to the detailed job specs, if provided.
Look for your interviewer in LinkedIn, to understand who will be interviewing you.
Practice interview questions, google on common interview questions which can help you with the practice. Look for help of college carrier advisors, and sign up for interviews to practice.
Be open, and honest, positive, establish eye contact, be confident, share stories about your passions and hobbies, this show your initiative and extra curricular activities (I.e. Volunteer work, clubs..), anything that shows your leadership skills.
Prepare good resume, polish your own LinkedIn profile and keep it updated.

written on behalf of a group of volunteers at HPE
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Jeff’s Answer

Tips for a good job interview:
* Be very familiar with the job description and what the company is expecting
* Tell me about yourself question - be very prepared to answer that question well
* Learn more about the company for which you are about to interview (what industry)
* Prepare your resume/CV and any other relevant documents
* Be on time
* For resume items, make sure to keep more relevant skills and experience (don't need to list ones that aren't applicable to the job) and remember what the experience was (if you don't remember or can't give details, don't list it)
* The interviewer will look at the approach as well as the answer
* Be confident about yourself
* Remember that you are interviewing the company as well as them interviewing you - feel free to ask questions
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Ruby’s Answer

Hi there!

Well, first off let me congratulate you on making this important first step in your life....even if this isn't your first interview!

The interview process is forever changing - my first piece of advice would be to make sure your resume fits the design style of the times. I didn't realize this until I re-entered the work force in the States about 10 years ago. I had to completely revamp my resume style to fit in with what had become "traditional" while I was overseas.

Secondly, be sure YOU always bring a hard copy of your resume to the interview. I suggest at least 2 copies - one for you and one for the interviewer (believe me this is appreciated).

Always research the company you're interviewing with...know at least 5 key points about them and try to throw it into some of your responses if possible. For instance, when they were created and key facts about WHY they were created. Find something that's unique about that company and use it as your way to stand out...this will go a long way.

And lastly - be sure to dress professionally, have a firm handshake and stay engaged throughout the interview.

Oh and PS - don't wear any perfume/cologne if possible (this is a hard one for me).

Good Luck!

Ruby recommends the following next steps:

Always proofread your resume
Use key phrases from the job posting in your resume experience sections
Have a list of 3 references available
Create multiple resumes if you're applying to multiple career fields (ie customer service vs accounting) so you can highlight the appropriate skill sets
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TRAVIS’s Answer

Look into the STAR interview method. It is an excellent way to answer behavioral interview questions. You can find videos on Youtube about it.
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Judy’s Answer

Job interviews can be very scary. Always make sure you look your interviewer in the eyes. Be honest. Use positive body language such as sitting up straight, smiling, and not fidgeting. Listen carefully before responding. Sound energetic and enthusiastic, but never fake.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. A lot of students have the same question.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Read thoroughly on the job specification and understand what areas you can meet the requirement and what you need improvement
2. Prepare for some generic questions, e.g. Introduce yourself, what is your strength weakness, etc.
You answers have to pinpoint to the job requirement, i.e. on Item 1
3. Think about any specific questions related to the job the interviewer may ask and prepare
4. Check the interview location early and identify the transport to go there. Be punctual!
5. Dress properly to attend the interview. Prepare the clothes and fitting early. For girls, it may need to prepare the make up.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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Lee’s Answer

If you do not have appropriate experience/related work (based on you are a Senior in High School) you want to talk about things you have done such as charity work, tasks you have done (side jobs, major home projects) and special interests that relate to what you are applying for. If you are applying for an internship you want to talk about what the company offers that is of interest to you. Maybe it is family business, industry leader, great place to work, etc. Internships give you insight to the company and lets you know if you are a good fit.
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Richard J (Rich)’s Answer

Hi - the answers you have already are spot on. Keys there are "be prepared" - know the company and the job you are going for and find, even though limited, experience in which you can relate to the position. If it is something totally new, at least do research regarding the job and have some general background. But, be transparent and don't try and pretend you know something if you don't know it.

But here is what I tell folks for speeches, interviews, interactions, etc. These are the 3 C's

1. Be Confident, without Arrogance. Try to be as comfortable and respectful as possible
2. Be Concise. If you feel like you are talking too much - then you are. Be concise in your answers, but using STAR (explained above) be complete. This is hard to do - but don't ramble. If they have more questions they will ask
3. Be Correct. They know if you are struggling with an answer. If you don't know something - at least try to explain how you would learn it. But don't try to snow the interviewer / interviewers as they will know it.

I hope this helps.
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Siddharth’s Answer

One of the best ways to prepare for and perform well in an interview is to write down examples of work you have done in a STAR format which is Situation Task Action and Results.
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Emily’s Answer

Hi Patrick, great question! Here are some tips for interview prep.

1. Research the company: Before the interview, research the company thoroughly. Find out about their products or services, their mission statement, their culture, and any recent news or developments related to the company.

2. Review your resume: Make sure you know your resume inside out. Be prepared to talk about your work experience, education, and any relevant skills or achievements.

3. Practice answering common interview questions: Review common interview questions and practice your responses. This will help you feel more confident and prepared during the interview.

4. Dress appropriately: Dress professionally for the interview. Some companies have a more casual dress code than others. When in doubt, dress a little nicer than you think might be appropriate.
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Eduardo’s Answer

The best way to perform well in an interview is to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. That will help you relax and be more confident during interviews. Go to as many interviews as you can. Get used to the process. Make sure your first interview ever is NOT for your dream job. Instead, go to your dream job's interview once you have practiced a lot! This never fails! Did I mention you need to PRACTICE??? Good luck!
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Sarah’s Answer

Here are some of my favorite interview tips:
1) Be prepared. Know the employer by doing some research ahead of time. Go to their website, read up on their mission statement, get a feel for their company culture. You could even go to Glassdoor.com and see what people who work there have to say about the job. Also know what skills they are looking for in the job listing and be sure to highlight how you exemplify those skills during your interview.
2) Be confident and try to be relaxed (or fake it till you make it). You don't want to come across as nervous or unsure of yourself so do whatever it is you need to do before the interview to hype yourself up. The more prepared you are, the easier this will be.
3) Communicate clearly. That probably ties into the confidence thing, but it also has to do with some practice ahead of time. Don't go overboard with the practicing though --- you don't want all your answers to sound rehearsed. But know generally what you plan to say to some of the most common interview questions. And again, be sure to communicate how your skills align with the skills the employer is looking for.
4) Eye contact is important. Try not to find yourself looking at the ground or away from the interview too many times during the conversation.
5) Watch examples on Youtube of some good ways to answer some of the most common interview questions. I did this and it helped spark some ideas in how I wanted to answer these questions during my interviews.
6) Employ the STAR method when answering your questions. You can find plenty of articles about this, but STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Results. This will help structure your answers and ensure your responses have impact.
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Jeanne’s Answer

Read up on the company, understand the company, read the financial report, company culture (values & mission statement), vision for the future. Be yourself, authentic, don't use Chatgpt for answers. Review common interview questions to practice and prepare, this will help you feel more confident. Have a quick of you sucesses ready as examples to sight, focus on the how you achieved what you did and why it was important. Bring a copy of your resume and be sure you know what's on it and are able to speak to it in a robust fashion with lots of example. Display how you work with others, teamwork, leadership, group dynamics, etc. Follow up to interviewer, send a thank you for their time and reiterating your interest in the role.
Response was written on behalf of a group of volunteers at HPE.

Jeanne recommends the following next steps:

Prepare for the interview, due diligence on knowing the company
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L. Victoria’s Answer

When preparing for an interview:
1) Arrive early. (If you are attending in-person, make time for potential traffic).
2) Ensure you are presentable and business professional in appearance. First impressions are important.
3) Show interest in the company ahead of time by doing research on the company, role, and function you have applied for.
4) Be honest. (There is nothing wrong with this. Show you are willing/eager to learn despite what you do not know).
5) Be prepared with examples that support the role. Whether you have professional examples, academic or personal ones. (I.e., STAR Method)
6) Partner with someone you know to do a mock interview. (Someone who can give you constructive feedback).
7) Ensure you have an updated resume. Bring hard copies to your (in-person) interview to provide to the interviewer.
8) Be prepared with questions for the interviewer. This shows interest.
9) Be yourself. That is one way to stand out from the competition.
10) A personal story may make you more relatable. Be prepared with one you would like to share.
11) Be prepared to go through a demonstration of your knowledge/skills.
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Daniel’s Answer

Great Question Patrick!

I would encourage you to do research on the company. That will enable you to be knowledgeable about the company when the interviewer ask you questions. Also, by knowing information on the company it will let you ask strategic questions to whoever is interviewing you. I know its difficult but do your best to stay cool and think about the answers you give before blurting out something. Always have copies of your resume with you and ensure you dress professional for your interview. Even if the company has a pretty chill dress code dressing professional will make you stand out from the competition.

From someone who has interviewed hundreds of people at multiple companies (used to be in HR) I can't tell you how much the above items stood out. Individuals just being knowledgeable about our company displayed that the person being interviewed did their homework and really wanted this position. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions at the end. This always showed me that the person had interest in helping our company grow.

I hope some of these tips help and good luck!
Thank you comment icon Hi Patrick, Since you’re graduating high school there will be a ton of leeway for job interviews. College interviews are definitely more rigorous. There won’t be technical questions, you probably won’t be doing behavioral interviews. You’re at the start of your career. It’s a good idea to research the company and see what their interests are. Research their recruiters on LinkedIn. Use your AP/IB classes, mention your volunteering, any awards, SAT/ACT scores, and any work experience. At the interview be excited about the job and relate how your achievements to translates into their success. Natalie
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PwC’s Answer

Practice with others, don't think too much about it. Be confident and speak about the experiences you've had, and don't forget to ask questions!
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PwC’s Answer

Everything will work out. If you don't get the first job you're looking at, you will still get one. Don't stress and be yourself!
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PwC’s Answer

I would say be confident, but that is easier said than done. Just be yourself, i think most employers are looking for someone that will fit their culture and values more than doing the job as everyone can learn in time. Be yourself and don't forget to ask questions!
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PwC’s Answer

Prepare an elevator pitch that speaks about how you bring value to the company.
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Noemi’s Answer

Written on behalf of a group of volunteers at HPE:

1. Be yourself. (Maintain a good body language and facial expressions during the interview.)
2. Before the interview, review and study well the job posting and job description and map it with your skills already acquired and interested in.
3. Before the interview, research on the Company you are being interviewed from a culture, industry, vision, mission perspective and how the company is creating an impact to the society and align it with your own goals and aspirations. If possible and with access, interview or ask around people already working in the Company.
4. Before the interview, prepare questions for the interviewer. You can ask questions to the interviewer, do not be shy! Challenge them as well. This will create engagement and can possibly leave a remarkable mark from your end.
5. Know the right time to follow up with the interviewer. Before the interview session ends, ask what the next steps and the expected timeline will be.
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PwC’s Answer

Go into the interview with a good idea of the work you will be doing if you get the job, and have questions prepared about the role. If you find out you don't necessarily want the role, that's okay too!!
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