Hey, so we took to Tumblr to ask you for your best advice RE: Job Interviews and this is
what you said.
Before the interview:
Nikoikoi (?) says, "If you're going around applying to different places be dressed nicely
enough to do the interview right then and there because that could happen. Superwhofflepuff
answered: Look over your resume and a list of major projects and accomplishments right
before the interview; that way it's fresh in your mind. Speaking of resumes, if you're
looking to streamline yours you can check out last week's video from Mike that happens
to conveniently be on that topic.
TotallyaComputer suggests prepping answers to common questions. For instance, the classic
"What's your biggest weakness?" Instead of saying something like, "Well, I guess I'm
just a perfectionist." Instead, say something like, "I'd like to improve on my 'give example'
and I'm going to do so by 'give example.'" In other words, acknowledge the negative in
the framework of a positive. Practice these a lot. (1:11)
Doteddestroyer also recommends if you're doing a phone interview to write down some answers
like these beforehand to boost your confidence.
Livinglifeintheprobabilitylane said for questions about "a time when you..." use the S.T.A.R
Method. Situation, Task, the Action you too, and the Results.
For example, Situation: Moriarty is trying to kill me. Task: Fake my own death. Action
I took: Well, I'll never reveal it definitively but let's just say it was rather elaborate
and effective. Results: I"m back and better than ever.
You can also prep your own questions. For instance, you can ask about what your daily
duties would be. You can ask the interviewer what they like especially about working for
that company. It's also perfectly reasonable to ask when they expect to make a decision
about the position.
Let's talk about clothes. Now this is all about convincing the company that you're professional
and that you're a great fit for the team. It's important to check out the company's
attire prior to showing up for the interview. For instance, by contacting the company's
receptionist or human resources department and finding out what their day to day dress
code is. From there, Forbes Magazine recommends you take it a half step up. If you're unsure
what you wear, you can always go with a jacket, if you feel over dressed you can always take
it off.
Cherryscary answered, "for phone interviews: dress up and smile while on the phone. You'll
get a confidence boost, and you can hear a smile over the call."
Anotherblogaboutrandomstuff said, "before any job interview, I always take five minutes
and make some power stances/poses to boost my confidence."
Before you go in, make sure you turn off your phone. You don't wanna be getting any texty-texts
or snappy-chats while you're in the middle of your interview.
Be early but not too early. Not more than fifteen minutes. Be sure to smile when the
interviewer goes to greet you. Good posture and a solid handshake are key.
Ninjafrogofhnm points out that it's okay to be a little nervous. It's not a surprise to
the interviewer so just do your best to relax and don't stress too much over little mistakes.
Tumblr user Shayler, who is a hiring manager says, "if you don't know something, admit
it grace and humor. The real purpose of the interview questions is not so much whether
they get the answer right, but how they handle the situation. Do they flail and make a wild
guess immediately, or do they pause and think before they answer."
Similarly, nerd-in-a-tiara answered, "never be afraid to pause and say 'let me think about
that.' It shows that you're engaged and that you want to answer well."
And bontumblesnow (?) suggests that you quote stay on topic. I put my friend up for an interview
and she lost her mind and talked about D&D and Ren Fair and everything but the job. end
quote. When the interview is wrapping up ask any
questions that you prepped and be sure to say that you're excited about the possibility
of working there. Get business cards from the interviewer if possible. It'll make it
easier to send a thank you card or email afterward which you should make sure to do within 24
hours of the interview. B-reads-books suggests that you also use the
note to quote reiterate your interest and touch on topics that you discussed.
In addition to the thank you, follow up later on. Did you ask them how long it might take
for them to make a decision? If so, wait that amount of time and if you haven't heard anything
feel free to contact them via call or email. If you didn't get the job, ask how you can
improve in the future. You never know if another position will open up there.
And if you don't get the job that is very disappointing but it's not because you're
not awesome sauce because you are the awesomest of sauces.
We all have to acknowledge that the job sea is pretty choppy right now, but there will
be other fish in it so just keep swimming. Keep on swimming.
Emma: When I was in high school, this was my first job, I was at a movie theatre and
I got to the movie theatre and I was like, "I'm here for an interview" and the guy said,
"oh they're over there." And so I saw a group of young people sitting around the table.
So I went to the table and there was no chair so I got a chair and I set it up next to someone
at the table and I was like, "hey guys how's it goin'?" Not knowing that one of the young
people was the manager and that was the interview for the group of people that came before me.
Which I effectively crashed.
Mike: I guess I was 16. I went in to do an interview with a store that was called Babbage's
at the time. I guess it's GameStop now. The lady asked, "what would you do if a parent
came in and was like 'i wanna buy such and such game for my son isn't that a good game?
I really want to buy it.' What do you say to them?" I was like, "i would tell them that
there are better games in that type of game we have and here's one of them?" Like did
I blow the interview by saying that?
Emma: I would say, why would you not sell them the game they wanted? That's my main
question.
Mike: That stings, Emma.
Emma: I'm just wondering.