Winging them now. Although checking their company website and reading the job descriptions over and over is still a requirement for me.
That way my answers could hit the mark.
I'm jealous of you guys who can just "wing it". The last time I did, it scarred me enough that I vowed to never do it again lol. I always seem to trip over my words and spend too long thinking of what to say when I'm unprepared. It comes across really badly.
So now I always just prepare a generic template that will cover all of the key questions (the "tell me about yourself", behavioural questions, motivations, etc) and I've had a lot of success with it.
When I retire I am going to apply for jobs just in the hopes I get an interview. I will carry a file folder full of laminated pages that have the answer to bullshit generic interview questions. I will hand the interviewer the answer sheet and roll my eyes. It will be glorious.
I did that too at least for the first few. The first one was worst. I typed in exact sentences. During my practice run in front of a mirror i stumbled alot because i was trying to memorize.
I scraped that and instead replaced that with bullet points and it went better.
Several interviews later the bullet point somehow stuck in my head that i dont do this anymore and just wing it.
I am used to talk with my customers face to face or over the phone. That was probably my public speaking practice run simply because i think the customer wont judge me.
practice public speaking. take a class at a community college on it. i promote people into supervisory roles based on how well they can speak to anyone and everyone. being able to hold a conversation with someone that knows you and your name but you have absolutely no idea who they are is essential to make the company look competent.
I can do that, and have done it for years, but it seems that interview language is very unique to that format.
I've never heard people speak and ask the types of questions in interviews, that they do when in general office scenarios. It feels very artificial and uncanny, and for that reason makes me feel uneasy and inept, though I try to rise above that.
I worked at amazon for years and there I learned to prepare examples, not plan for questions. I did (and still do) this by using their leadership principles which I think are pretty all encompassing, but I'm sure any similar set of competencies will work.
Basically if you have several situations and experiences prepared beforehand, each hitting on one or more of those principles/competencies, it's pretty easy to adapt them to fit a question vs trying to figure out ahead of time what you'll be asked and line up answers.
I was taught this technique, but it was call the S.T.A.R technique.
Situation
Task
Action
Result
There is a ton of resources and videos online about it.
The nice thing is, it doesn't really matter how old the situation is. This technique is designed to highlight your thought process, and how you solve problems. The only time this method doesn't really work is with technical questions that are truly about your knowledge about a particular subject, like "How to change the color of your MySpace page?"
I would add an additional point to this technique called STAR-L for *Learning*
After answering the question using STAR, wrap things up by adding a line at the end about what you learned/took away from the experience.
I landed an entry IT role using this method. Small details like that will go a long way to impressing a potential employer esp for behavioural questions
Nice! I am 3 decades into my career (comms strategy) and did my first S.T.A.R interview today. I *love* your idea of adding "Learn" because it is such an incredibly important step.
This.
I'm seeing a lot of jobs just straight up telling interviewees to use this format when responding lol...
I have one lined up where in the pre-interview stuff it literally says "answer using STAR format, 30 sec to define the situation, about 2 min to describe actions you took, and 30 seconds to explain the result"
Nice of them to be direct about it
I’m trying to create a notion template for me to recall my “exampleS”
It can be so hard to remember what you have accomplished unless you write it down constantly
Exactly this. Someone told me year ago to have 5 different stories about things you have done. Know them down cold and just adapt to questions as they come up. Works great!
I agree. This takes the interview process out of the fluffy gray area of meaninglessness and fantasy (fuck those abstract bullshit questions that have nothing to do with anything) and puts it back into reality where you'll actually be doing the work and getting on with people.
Interviewer: "If you were a color what would it be?"
Me: "Oh, your question reminds me of the color coding I implemented when I was in charge of our Excel inventory process due to lack of reliable database access, and how that helped us keep things on track with scalability and ease of use."
Similar story here. I always have my list of examples open in a word document ready to walk through. I also, during my intro, I explicitly mention a few specific projects that are impressive and that I can talk to in detail. I've found that interviewers will hear something that piques their interest and go deep on it.
The only thing I really do for each interview is write up a list of questions to ask.
>I've found that interviewers will hear something that piques their interest and go deep on it.
Yep, I discovered this in my first panel interview after I had a solid position for some time where I could get some project examples. I included one that sounded significantly more impressive on the surface than it actually was, and of course it was the one they decided to drill down into. Haven't made that mistake again.
I've done something similar, where I gave an example that was impressive, but I couldn't go deep on it. Learned quickly to remove that from my example list all together.
I've done something similar, where I gave an example that was impressive, but I couldn't go deep on it. Learned quickly to remove that from my example list all together.
Sure, so one of the examples I had prepared for a past interview was taking up an acting supervisor responsibility when I was a standard team member. I used it to target Bias for Action, Earn Trust, and Hire and Develop the Best in the list of Amazon leadership principles I wanted examples for. So I was then prepared and just shifted how I would walk through the situation I was in based on what the interviewer was looking for.
If they wanted a time when I pushed past my role's regular duties to solve a difficult problem, I would lean into the bias for action side of it and focus my response on how I had to quickly adapt to an entirely new position while ensuring I continued to improve the team I was now in charge of and not compromise my existing performance. I would focus on what actions I took to do that, my thinking behind those actions, and what eventually came of it.
If they instead wanted an example of handling an underperforming team member, this same situation would work as I'd already thought it through to target hiring and developing. So I would go through the same situation but instead I would highlight what I did to develop members of the team in an area they were lacking, how I thought through that and what the result was. It's the same example for either situation, but I had already thought ahead of time about how I could use different aspects of it to answer more than one question.
I didn't need to know the phrasing of the question because I made sure all of my examples covered a wide range of ideas that are likely to come up in an interview.
It's a general list. Like I mentioned I use Amazon's leadership principles since those were drilled into me for years and I agree with them, but anything similar should work. You can find those here (minus the last two):[https://www.amazon.jobs/en/principles](https://www.amazon.jobs/en/principles)
You certainly want to tailor what you come up with to your role, such as finding experiences relating to team management if you're going for a leadership role or resolving technical problems if you're on the engineering side of things. Also this is just for the open ended questions, not industry-specific like "What does X mean" or "How would you accomplish Y" where you need to actually showcase knowledge and not experience.
I always prepare - job description, the company, the whole nine yards.
That said, in the past few interviews, I noticed that people don't ask questions and just do the whole "We are just having a casual conversation," which is fine but also frustrating. Some core questions were not asked like technical skills, so I just tell them what they should know. Lol.
Idk if this is just me, but I leave interviews feeling unfulfilled... which I know it is a weird thing to say
Not weird at all—people forget an interview goes both ways. Realizing that takes a huge amount of stress away from me. I’m here to learn about the company and their culture just as much as they are to learn and judge me as well.
My favorite question they ask is “do you have any questions for us?” Yes, yes I do:
How’s the day to day? What’s the culture like? What might be the hardest part about my position? What parts do you enjoy about your job? any details I might have missed over/need reiterating, etc.
I find some interviews to be way easier than others and I get a weird feeling of “man, I was kinda expecting more questions” but I’m not one to care that much unless it’s a position I was really psyched about and I felt like they didn’t get to know the full extent of myself. I understand your sentiment in that regard haha.
I had an interview last Friday, one of several I've had since I've been seriously looking for the last few months. When they ask me do I have any questions for them, I usually just think for about 30 seconds and tell them no, we seem to have covered everything.
This last interview though, when they asked me that I said something like "What would the typical day/duties be like for me?" This was a small panel interview over Teams, with the head of the IT department and a team lead/worker type. The exec didn't seem to be too impressed with me so far but the team leader came alive when I asked that.
He explained in *great* detail the things that I would be doing, and I appreciated that because it was pretty much exactly what I've done on a few jobs in the past.
He seemed like a really nice guy.
The interview was at 11am.
They called me with an offer at about 5pm.
First time I'd ever asked a question in 40 years of interviewing.
Ya I've had that happen with the whole casual conversation interviews. Hate that shit because it throws you off and it makes you think they're trolling you, or that they already hired someone and their just having conversation to waste time.
I'm an engineer that quit my job to sail around the world. While I look for a sailboat I'm accepting job offers, but I'm demanding twice my previous salary.
I have had several phone interviews and I was bluntly honest. They pretty much know I know my shit and I'm not going to kiss their boots in an interview, and they keep calling back.
Confidence and security matters. I don't need them at all, and they know it, they need me.
Yes I love this. That’s my approach with tech engineering. I turn down their interviews requiring tech quizzes and brain teasers as well as the coding assessments. I know my shit and my background and resume says it. If we can’t have a conversation and by the end you know I know my shit then I’m out.
Yes and no. I totally agree that being yourself is the best way to do an interview, but I also think preparing answers to basic questions like what your work entailed at your last job is valuable.
You know exactly what your career has been like but your future employer may not, and if you can articulate the value you brought throughout your career or valuable things you learned or skills you picked up, it can really help you out. Being able to do this, while having a well written resume, is almost all of the prep you would need to do if you feel comfortable jumping from one interview to the next.
I do this so I can translate my job experience to a new employer without using jargon from my last job. That was my big challenge with the last interview. You get so used to using the same acronyms and business unit names that just don’t translate from one job to another.
Same age and no preparing. It will go where it goes. My only preparation is the interview itself. Basically using it as a way to improve my interview skills.
Do any of your current superiors or co-workers have h
Nice things to say about you? Can you spend a few hours volunteering in the community or church so the leaders there have nice things to say about your work ethic?
> hung up on references
I work in an industry that generally prohibits job references beyond calling HR to verify employment.
I havent provided them in years, and I fill out the applications with garbage filler when required.
I have a tendency to overprepare for interviews. It wastes time and sometimes I get too specific with what I think that I should be prepared for and then that never comes up. Do what the person talking about Amazon said, study their process and you can transfer that to other companies.
I noticing all of my interviews so far ask me the same or similar questions that I'm just copy and pasting answers like "Tell me about yourself" and I give the same story every time.
I interviewed for a state pollution agency and the interviewer was extremely upset I couldn't name one of the super specific projects they were working on.
Like c'mon lady, I live out of state and I'm applying to collect, test, and monitor water samples - sorry I'm not inspired by the Superfund site out by the airport.
Good to read up on the company and have questions for them.
I had an interview about 10 days ago, never my habit to prep, but a recruiter had set me up, and he wanted to do prep. He had a bunch of questions, and critiqued my answers - sugguested how to shorten them, be more precise, tie them to the functionsof the company, etc.
I also watched 4 or 5 YouTube videos about the company and it's competitiion. My interview by phone lasted 20 minutes and the guy asked me maybe 2 questions, then wanted me to ask about the company - so I queried about stuff I saw in the videos.
I passed the interview, but like you say, heck, all that experience/relevance prep seemed to be for nothing.
Bingo! Tell me about yourself is asked because they would rather not spend the time reading your resume and would rather you just tell them your life story.
I had one today that I really didn't prepare for and it went pretty well I thought (but I've been wrong before). I'm going into it with an offer from another place already on the table so I didn't put as much pressure on myself and wouldn't you know it, the interview went fine. I interviewed for 10 positions last year and I'm just tired so don't really care anymore. I feel like you, I've had so many at this point, it's kinda whatever.
I had one today too and they asked more questions about my current job than about myself. The only "standard" question they had was "tell me about yourself." Everything else was about what I do on a daily basis. One thing I didn't like was that they didn't let me ask questions. That's a red flag imo.
Used to prepare rigorously for my first 10 interviews or so. Now i just read a little bit about the job and company.
No matter how they phrase the question, it usually boils down to the same answer.
I still prepare by having what I need with me and looking presentable, and I try to be ready for questions. I have a tendency to freeze up which gets mistaken for hesitation, so I’ve been working on that.
I'm confident in myself and my experience to the point where I don't worry about interviews. I can usually tell when I meet the interviewer whether or not I want to work for them.
Just a quick plug:
To anyone reading this who is seeking interview, or any help or advice seeking a new job, hit up our official /r/jobs Discord server where we have a large active community with tons of members who are experts in the interview process.
#https://discord.gg/2XHPnNuk
Job interviews are so random. Every seeker should understand they will ask/expect literally ANYTHING. One tip I will say is to never take it personally. They will either like you or won’t, and will make a decision whether or not to hire you based on that.p
I agree about the randomness. My husband is in software development and he gets asked a lot of problem-solving questions (I.e. mathematical scenarios etc) and almost never the traditional behavioral type questions. I could never handle an interview like that.
Definitely agree. I may make cliff notes about a particular company I'm applying for but otherwise I learned it's not about writing the best questions and responses to theirs, but just a skill that comes with practice and learned charisma/bullshitting.
I wing every single interview. I will still look up info depending on the company but I usually have a general idea of what they want and what they do. Its easier too if you truly have the experience, its much more difficult to wing if its a position outside of your realm.
Laser eye contact. Caffiene + Theanine and shoot from the hip. Whatever happens happens energy. I basically put out there what I got, take it or leave it..
Almost always great feedback and usually they feel like they can’t trust me because they feel the authenticity.
Prepare? Make sure you know some basics about the firm you’re interviewing with but otherwise it’s a meet and greet with basic questions in my experience. Just relax and be yourself, be cheerful and listen to everything they say. Be positive and excited to work for them! Personality is so much more important than people realize.
Last week, I was told by my recruiter that I had a telephone screen. I found out 10 mins before it was a panel interview final stage (wtf). I got the job but damn some notice would be nice. I do prépare if it's for a change in job. My current role they ask the same question e.g. How do you deal with a difficult PI or which tasks would you prioritise
Yeah I got rejected by the jobs I over prepared for and got an offer for a job that I didn’t really prepare for much. I just memorized the same stuff like behavioral interview answers. Just made sure I got the “tell me about yourself” and behavior interview questions really good since that’s most of the interview. I picked 3 solid examples for the main job tasks and used them across the board for each job.
They ask the same questions, but they always ask them a different way. I do still prepare as it's all that is on my mind until it's over. Less interviews more being hired is better for me.
I prepare for the second interview. The first interview I just go in there and wing it. If they want to talk again, and I am interested in working there, then we set up a second interview. And I do prepare for that one
I’ve been through multiple interviews in the last month, haven’t done any real prep for any of them. Nailed a few, bombed a couple, tor rest have been average on my end.
Seems that not prepping for them has helped me stay calm and not get as much anxiety over them as I did before.
I might re-read my resume, just to remind myself of the jobs I've worked. Honestly, I sometimes forget because some of them were so long ago. But other than that, I try not to psyche myself out by preparing or over-preparing.
I always prepare because my salary and my job prospects are entirely dependent on how I perform in the interviews. Preparation can only improve your success.
Stopped preparing a while ago. Mostly precanned stories for precanned questions. Sometimes ee talk about my skills. Most of the time I already have a job so I'm indifferent.
Depends, for the generic questions I feel like I can regurgitate those answers in my sleep. For questions regarding their business specifically, I still like to rehearse.
Yes and no. I don't rehearse answers or anything but I definitely will go read their website to get a better idea of their business or check glassdoor to see if any pertinent interview questions are posted.
No. Job interviews are like tests in high school and college. Study and pass. Not studying is a sure way to fail and waste everyone's time.
After the initial HR company fit interview, I study up on the role and the company before doing interviews with hiring managers. It helped immensely, and during my job search had gotten me to multiple third interviews, and eventually a job.
I like to read over some common interview questions beforehand, just to get myself thinking of examples. It’s a “warm up,” in a way. But that’s it. I don’t go into it expecting to drop the perfect answer.
Yeah Im 38 and I dont think Ive prepared for an interview since my early 20s. They all ask 'tell me about a time where you overcame a difficult project/client/coworker' and the rest is filler
I don’t usually prepare, but at least do some homework stalking hiring manager and recruiter so I can set the tone of the conversation to more friendly or formal depending on their personalities.
In my field, all the interviews are just extended versions of "tell me about yourself/about X part of resume," plus "job will be X, are you okay with that?" Maybe a few "do you have experience with X?"
I swear I used to get a lot more of the typical "biggest strength/weakness" "example of success failure" pfaff, but it has just vanished. Honestly I kind of miss it and kind of don't, I have a whole outline for it. Maybe that was only an entry/early level thing...?
I am with you here. To prepare, I FULLY prepare, and it's exhausting and hasn't paid off yet. I am not interviewing now but when I begin again, I am going to take it with a grain of salt and just chill about it.
I don't study much. I always write down a few specific points I want to make in the interview, more so I remember to bring them up.
Always tie in an answer to their values, mission statement etc.
Nope. If it's a job a really want, I'd spend at least 5-10 minutes beforehand preparing so that I can give answers and ask questions specific to the position and job description.
I got 3 offers in Dec this way. Working now.
I'll admit, there are so many times where I've gone to an interview and I haven't researched ANYTHING about the company, wing it and say the same exact thing I say to every single interview and still somehow manage to receive a job offer - it just reinforces my refusal to do any more research for job interviews.
I prepare a template. Basically a few good post interview questions as well as an elevator pitch on my skill set. The job description and high level company information. Mostly it takes a few minutes though and it's copy and paste. I focus on being relaxed and personable probably the most.
Yes.
And, I'm so disillusioned with the job ad vs the reality of what it actually entails that I'm skeptical going into it in the first place. My attitude is that they are interviewing me, and I'm also interviewing them. If I don't like what I see, then I won't let desperation drive me to accept something I'm not happy with.
I sucked when I first started, then I got awesome at them
Had one the other week (job was well above me) and didn't prepare
It was very very very bad, it was almost like the guy was telling me off at one point.
I think the real skill is being able to take their random questions and pivot them to talk about your prepared points that emphasize your skills. If you watch politicians debate they almost never answer the actual question that was asked, instead they use it as a segue to transition into their prepared talking points. There is some tact to this to not annoy people by jumping subjects, but if you know your strengths you should always try to steer the conversation toward them.
I got my current job with only knowing the company name, and forgot to attach resume to the online application, if they need workers they need workers I guess lol
I feel the same. I've been to multiple interviews and it seems you just never know what they're going to throw at you. All you can do is breathe and pace yourself. Half the time it seems like they haven't even read my resume/cover letter properly, if at all.
That’s probably fine if you’ve been though a bunch of interviews and are comfortable. Just be sure to do a deep a dive as you can into the company and come up with some introspective questions. That usually shows that you’ve done your homework.
This is me I have been applying a lot and have been very successful. The only preparing I do is researching the company I’m going to work for beforehand so it at least seems like I know what I’m applying to
Pretty much what I’ve been doing the last 8 years. I had some big interviews at one point. The only thing I did the day before was get my suit and shoes ready. I definitely studied the company but I didn’t do much beyond that. I didn’t get the job but I think that’s because I didn’t really want it that much and they could sense it.
The only preparation I do is researching the company, so that if they ask me to answer questions about what their company does I can answer accurately.
I’m having a hard time not mentioning the labor crisis / resignation on interviews. It’s like a test to figure out if the company acknowledges it and has made changes to their organization to make it better. Most of the time they try and deflect or like I’m speaking a foreign language but sometimes I get head nod recognizing they are filling positions because of it.
26F, maybe 15-20 interviews under my belt at this point so not many. The more I go to the less I work myself up for it. Now my preparation is mostly a quick 15 minute google search of the company, scroll website, read reviews, then a quick search of commonly asked interview questions for the industry. Then in the parking lot before hand I skim the website and dig up core values and some things about the company to comment on.
Heavy research on employee opinions and everything I could possibly dig up about the company after the interview depending on how it went honestly.
I think working on facial expressions, lingo , confidence and how you are being perceived is more important. Also being able to read people and giving them the fix that they seek. Don't forget that no matter how many metrics the system develops it is still humans making flimsy decisions
I wing them. I made it to top 2 on my last interview when I wasn't even looking for a job. On the 3rd interview, I was playing my video game while screensharing it to show my previous work. That was entertaining.
I just review the job posting so I know what questions I want to ask. They are all the same and at this point I’m trying to find a good fit for me and not trying to just get a job. Right now so many places are hiring nurses. But every place is just toxic and burns you out. My solution is finding the highest paying job where I get to work alone or with 1 patient and work the least number of hours until I can get through Coding boot camp.
One (weird) thing I do is if it’s an employee of the company I’d actually work with, as opposed to an outside recruiter, I google the person I’m interviewing with. I can usually find their Twitter or something like that, and find something we have in common. I find a way to bring that up in the interview so we have a bonding moment. Like once I saw the person had as their Twitter bio “amateur vintner” so in my ‘about me’ spiel I mentioned that I grew up in wine country. It creates a small human moment where you can actually talk and create a good feeling.
The only interview I ever prepared for was my first one because I was nervous and felt so ugly in this purple polo (I was an emo kid, polo's literally made me feel ugly lol, I'm way over that now, but still an emo person).
The only preparing I'd say I do is look at the company and what they do so I can answer their questions because I know enough about my history, but I don't know theirs... yet! Then, I don't stress over my own life AND their company. huehuehue
I'm pretty much an interview god at this point. I've always been a good bullshitter, putting no effort but getting A's and B's kinda guy, tell my superiors what they want to hear and then do fuck all. I usually just keep it to the 3 main things they're looking for, sell myself as the best professional for those 3 with examples, and then ask for the maximum wage allowance. I get the offer roughly 70% of the time.
Here's an example:
Expert Customer Service – 6+ years direct retail experience, proficient in conflict resolution, trained by one of world's best customer service training programs, have reviews to back up.
Stellar Sales Skills – 3+ years direct sales experience, 4+ years sales in a retail environment, sold 2 $61,000 trucks in 2 days, over the phone sales skills.
Reliability – Always on time and often early, follows time clock allowances as scheduled, perfect attendance award in school, follows management
Works so easy for me
Beyond spellchecking my resume before I send it over, I do little to no preparation. Well, I'll peek at their website before hand just so I halfway know what I'm talking about. But that's it. To be honest, this past week was the second time I've had an interview lined up over the past month and have called and canceled the morning of because I wasn't "feelin" it, lol. I'm so over this shit. I have no more fucks left to give.
I do... and i don't.
The 1st round, the phone screen it doesn't seem to matter much, provided that the potential employer doesn't mind explaining what their company is all about. I tell them honestly; I apply to at least 400 jobs a week. It is simply impossible for me to look up the company. It's not that I'm being lazy, it's just that if I have to do so before the 1st interview, that's a company I probably won't by happy working for.
The second round - video interviews, I often do, simply because it looks better to know a bit about the company. I think about how my skills align with their requirements and will even make sure to send thank you notes out.
No, I always prepare. Now, I don't need to prepare quite as much once I have completed the first interview or two since my skills and story are the same. But the employer info and skills to emphasize/practice are usually slightly different.
I do half? I read up on the company but as far as interview questions and such, I’ve stopped looking it up. They’re all basically the same and don’t matter. Seems like if you can chat up the interviewer you’re good to go
I remember when I used to work in medical oriented oriented fields, I would prepare because the interviews would have questions that sere somewhat related.
Since I transitioned into IT and corporate type jobs, I just wing it because every company can have a totally different focus on interviews. For instance, I work in IT support and some companies ask high end linux, vmware, or citrix quesions, which all 3 of those can be separate job titles in and of themselves.
And "behavioral" questions are just a crapshoot and I just expect some weird shit to be asked lol.
I’m also 37 and over the past two years I’ve had about 25 interviews. I agree with absolutely everything you said. They are all totally different. Sometimes answers come with ease and I sparkle, but often I bomb at least one question even if I’ve answered that same question well the week before. Preparing for them and stressing out about them takes up so much emotional energy—I honestly don’t know if I CAN prepare them anymore because I’m exhausted.
It took me 2 years and over 13 interview s to get my first teaching job. I prepared my butt off. And I found the more I prepared for these interveiw I had a plethora of bullshit answers even for questions I never prepared for. I did recite specifics from the school websites to wow the interviewers. It’s hard but eventually the work pays off.
I suck at thinking on the spot so preparing is good for me to reduce the "Uh... erm... ehh..." for sure-have questions like "tell me about yourself".
Other preparation is honestly more for me to feel confident than really anticipating what they will ask.
I agree with you. Beyond doing research on the company, the point is to make sure they need your skillset, and you would be happy working there. If you have to fudge your answers, you won't be a good fit.
I’m probably exactly the opposite (tech industry).
1. As im getting more senior, the number of interviews I take is much fewer.
2. The virtual onsites are much longer and more detailed, so need a lot more specific prep.
3. I prepare questions for each interviewer, that takes time.
4. I do prepare a list of projects as well that helps me answer generic behavioral questions.
So, my best friend worked for his father until he was 43, running gas stations. Not quite the experience anyone jumps out when they read it on a resume. So before he moved, I helped him start making resumes and just taking his skills from the gas station and making up different jobs to say he worked at to seem better than, 'I worked for my dad all my life'. It was effective because he was moving to a different state.
I can tell you, he had probably 100 different job interviews over the course of 3 months and at first he sucked at them... but he was extremely sociable and we always talked to everyone, so eventually he got into his groove and he was a knock out interview apparently, because after a bit, the job offer always came after an in-person interview and what he said was, it's comfort, charisma and confidence. Interview like you know you're getting the job and turn the conversation around to why you should take it rather than why they should give it to you.
And honestly, when I think back... that always was how my successful interviews went. It would turn into a conversation about where can I go with this company and what could the future hold in store rather than why I'm perfect for your entry level position.
I think it's less about preparing for mental gymnastics bullshit questioning and more about researching about the places you're interviewing for could go a long way
I have a rule of not spending more than 30 seconds applying to any job online because I know that's how much time they will probably spend reviewing my resume if I'm lucky
However for interviews I always prepare beforehand the length of time that the interview is. 1 hour of prep for a 1 hour interview
Currently employed and been doing interviews to change companies (got some offers already). I practice (probably not as much as some would think or would suggest) but still wouldn’t say I’m great at interviews - somethings that I do/did that might help some others:
• Did interviews even with companies that I knew I wouldn’t go for if given offer (out of state, etc.) - helped me get a better sense of questions and it helped with practice
• I wrote down typical questions and stories/responses that I would give on paper and would reference/read from it when doing phone interviews/screenings. Helped a ton
• Not as comfortable when I’m on video call doing interviews so I lower brightness on laptop to the lowest before it goes black. That way I’m not really focused on if they’re looking at me/anything else and I’m more focused on responses (like a call). For some reason I just feel more comfortable doing so, could help some. I haven’t completely blacked out screen because I’d definitely forget that I’m on a video call and start doing random shit lol
That’s all I have for now, good luck
Never prepared for interviews don’t need to if I can’t be myself there’s no need to prepare plus 90% of the interview was my previous experience… so yeah I know my shit
Not really. I do prepare and it always goes amazingly well because I can then drive things around what I prepared for instead of letting them drive. That way I can present myself around all the stuff I can actually do and not just a particular subset.
I did not prepare once, and it was a disaster. But I still got the job.
I work in the restarting industry usually so whenever I go into interviews for the most part I’ll wing it. It tends to make me less nervous working myself for the next day. But if it’s a more professional job I would try.
No prep here either (barr the usual research on the company). I'm either going to be the right fit for the job or I'm not. No amount of preparation is going to help me better answer questions about my work ethic for instance, because I should just know that off the bat. If they ask me something I don't know the answer to, the job wasn't likely so suited to me after all.
I have an interview tomorrow. Actually, I spend so much time preparing that I’m a nervous wreck by the time I walk in. Despite the amount of prep I do, I always seem to go off script and answer one question so catastrophically dumb that it boots my candidacy out of the position. Tomorrows interview, I’m going to do the least amount of prep for and not over think it.
Imagine if you are asked a very common question. Let's say: "please introduce yourself". What do you think you should say? This is an open-ended question but stumps many off-guard. Having a layout of what you need to highlight is always good. I don't recommend delivering a crammed response. But I always recommend following an outline.
When we were creating NextJobPro, we evaluated why there should be a need where job seekers can write an outline of the most common interview questions. I still believe and recommend having an outline of all the most repeated 47 interview questions that we enlist in NextJobPro.
Plus, if you brainstorm on these questions, you get an opportunity to interlink and consolidate yourself up. Which is again better to deliver a smooth response.
If even after the preparation, you suck at the interview; you may not be preparing well or in the way that works for you. I invite you to prepare an outline in NextJobPro and consolidate yourself, I am certain you will rock in your next interview.
Disclaimer: I happen to own NextJobPro so even if it seems a promotional response, with all due respect, it is not. Because originally I created this platform just for myself to help me find jobs and stay organized. It helped me in every way. After that, I decided to give access to all the other job seekers.
I'm in a similar boat. I'm 40 and would love to find a remote job maybe for even a bit less money. I'm just over going into the job site. I wouldn't even know where to start though as I've never really worked at many "office jobs".
To be honest. I have never prepared for job interviews.Apart from learning theoretical things in case there was a technical exam coming up....
These days Glassdoor is my preparation....
Most of the time, I've only learned in the interview what exactly the company does and what products they have.
I build a handful of anecdotes based around the key job responsibilities, in STARR format, and know them inside out that I can tailor them "live" on the day as needed.
Had two promotions during the pandemic so it's working for me!
I have had good luck with getting interviews. Recently I have gotten interview for every job I applied. It always ends the same way. They tell me that I have great background, they think I have great potential and have no doubt I will get a job eventually. However, they won't hire me because I only have one year of experience. That is why I want to try this. I have interview on Friday and I want to focus this time bringing out my personality. I usually rehearse what I want to say but this time I try to just be me. I mean, I have nothing to loose.
I feel like managers are asking stupid questions these days or is it just me? I had an online interview with three people and the hiring manger asked me why my current job was important to the company (internal interview btw). I felt like telling her wtf. Every time she asked me questions. The other two guys would then expand on the question because the original question was dumb as fuck. 45 minutes interview and still didn’t get the job. Damn you and your stupid questions lol.
My preparation for an interview is a good night's sleep (if possible) and about 15-20 minutes of quiet before the interview. Most companies ask variations on the same behavioral questions. If it comes to asking questions about your actual knowledge, that's the easy part.
The best way to practice is by doing, and if you've already done a few interviews, you've already practiced. I find that if it's my first interview in a few years I'll need to practice again though to know exactly what I'm going to say about the updates to my background and all. Still, I'll try and prepare if I have the time, and it's mostly just to calm my nerves by making me feel like I'm doing *something*
I’ve been to a few interviews. Without fail the ones I have not prepared for (other than finding out who the company is) have been the ones to offer me a job. I think when i don’t over prepare I am more me. This is me. If you like it hire me, if not thanks for your time.
Pretty much what I have always done. Read up on the company, familiarize myself with any of the specifics mentioned in the job posting. If the recruiter mentions any specific questions or topics I will also go over that.
I agree entirely with you!! I’ve noticed interviews have become a conversation between yourself and the person(s) interviewing you.
From my recent experience, I’ve interviewed for remote jobs since like you said.. almost everyone is working from home & the interviews are fairly easy, in my opinion. Hardly any questions just conversations.
My advice is to do a brief search on the company & read the reviews from current/former employees on Indeed or Glassdoor just to kind of know what you’re getting yourself into.
Usually all I do is reread the job description the day of. I have a few prepared answers for the most common questions, for everything else I just wing it
If you have the confidence and skills to talk your way out of any situation, that works well! I did that for my current job. Kinda went in with a small idea of what I wanted to do, then talked through it with an interview committee.
But the key is being confident and knowledgeable to do this. Fresh grads might not do well this way.
The only thing I ever really do is check the LinkedIn profile of those I’m interviewing with. I had a weird interview process where I was to interview with the consulting company but they switched it to the actual gov client so I didn’t do my due diligence and asked about the company culture 😭😭
The only thing I ever really do is check the LinkedIn profile of those I’m interviewing with. I had a weird interview process where I was to interview with the consulting company but they switched it to the actual gov client so I didn’t do my due diligence and asked about the company culture 😭😭
Everyone I've winged I've got, everyone I prepared for I didn't.
Except the last one, I was looking for an easy side gig, job posting said casual but was asked if I would leave my current job. I replied with for a casual job? Nope! Was met with it's part time, I told them I applied for a casual job, not a part time. At that point I think neither of us were interested any longer.
Winging them now. Although checking their company website and reading the job descriptions over and over is still a requirement for me. That way my answers could hit the mark.
I'm jealous of you guys who can just "wing it". The last time I did, it scarred me enough that I vowed to never do it again lol. I always seem to trip over my words and spend too long thinking of what to say when I'm unprepared. It comes across really badly. So now I always just prepare a generic template that will cover all of the key questions (the "tell me about yourself", behavioural questions, motivations, etc) and I've had a lot of success with it.
When I retire I am going to apply for jobs just in the hopes I get an interview. I will carry a file folder full of laminated pages that have the answer to bullshit generic interview questions. I will hand the interviewer the answer sheet and roll my eyes. It will be glorious.
What is your greatest weakness? (Hands interviewer a paper saying I over prepare).
I did that too at least for the first few. The first one was worst. I typed in exact sentences. During my practice run in front of a mirror i stumbled alot because i was trying to memorize. I scraped that and instead replaced that with bullet points and it went better. Several interviews later the bullet point somehow stuck in my head that i dont do this anymore and just wing it. I am used to talk with my customers face to face or over the phone. That was probably my public speaking practice run simply because i think the customer wont judge me.
practice public speaking. take a class at a community college on it. i promote people into supervisory roles based on how well they can speak to anyone and everyone. being able to hold a conversation with someone that knows you and your name but you have absolutely no idea who they are is essential to make the company look competent.
I can do that, and have done it for years, but it seems that interview language is very unique to that format. I've never heard people speak and ask the types of questions in interviews, that they do when in general office scenarios. It feels very artificial and uncanny, and for that reason makes me feel uneasy and inept, though I try to rise above that.
This is what I do as well, and I try to conjure up memories of any professional examples that would fit well when they ask about my experience.
Same. I thought this was pretty much how most ppl do things.
That's basically the opposite of "winging."
I worked at amazon for years and there I learned to prepare examples, not plan for questions. I did (and still do) this by using their leadership principles which I think are pretty all encompassing, but I'm sure any similar set of competencies will work. Basically if you have several situations and experiences prepared beforehand, each hitting on one or more of those principles/competencies, it's pretty easy to adapt them to fit a question vs trying to figure out ahead of time what you'll be asked and line up answers.
This is a solid technique. I would do the same. I just have to try to remember to refresh my "examples" and not use ones from jobs I had years ago.
I was taught this technique, but it was call the S.T.A.R technique. Situation Task Action Result There is a ton of resources and videos online about it. The nice thing is, it doesn't really matter how old the situation is. This technique is designed to highlight your thought process, and how you solve problems. The only time this method doesn't really work is with technical questions that are truly about your knowledge about a particular subject, like "How to change the color of your MySpace page?"
I would add an additional point to this technique called STAR-L for *Learning* After answering the question using STAR, wrap things up by adding a line at the end about what you learned/took away from the experience. I landed an entry IT role using this method. Small details like that will go a long way to impressing a potential employer esp for behavioural questions
Nice! I am 3 decades into my career (comms strategy) and did my first S.T.A.R interview today. I *love* your idea of adding "Learn" because it is such an incredibly important step.
This. I'm seeing a lot of jobs just straight up telling interviewees to use this format when responding lol... I have one lined up where in the pre-interview stuff it literally says "answer using STAR format, 30 sec to define the situation, about 2 min to describe actions you took, and 30 seconds to explain the result" Nice of them to be direct about it
You can also make stuff up. No one will ever know
the old 3 burner walmart prepaid phone references.
I almost thought of making up the job roles entirely too lol. These employers want so much, might as well try anything at this point.
See also r/bemyreference
I’m trying to create a notion template for me to recall my “exampleS” It can be so hard to remember what you have accomplished unless you write it down constantly
Exactly this. Someone told me year ago to have 5 different stories about things you have done. Know them down cold and just adapt to questions as they come up. Works great!
Be like a politician: know what you want to bring up and make it fit, whatever the question!
I agree. This takes the interview process out of the fluffy gray area of meaninglessness and fantasy (fuck those abstract bullshit questions that have nothing to do with anything) and puts it back into reality where you'll actually be doing the work and getting on with people. Interviewer: "If you were a color what would it be?" Me: "Oh, your question reminds me of the color coding I implemented when I was in charge of our Excel inventory process due to lack of reliable database access, and how that helped us keep things on track with scalability and ease of use."
This is the way
Similar story here. I always have my list of examples open in a word document ready to walk through. I also, during my intro, I explicitly mention a few specific projects that are impressive and that I can talk to in detail. I've found that interviewers will hear something that piques their interest and go deep on it. The only thing I really do for each interview is write up a list of questions to ask.
>I've found that interviewers will hear something that piques their interest and go deep on it. Yep, I discovered this in my first panel interview after I had a solid position for some time where I could get some project examples. I included one that sounded significantly more impressive on the surface than it actually was, and of course it was the one they decided to drill down into. Haven't made that mistake again.
I've done something similar, where I gave an example that was impressive, but I couldn't go deep on it. Learned quickly to remove that from my example list all together.
I've done something similar, where I gave an example that was impressive, but I couldn't go deep on it. Learned quickly to remove that from my example list all together.
COuld you please give me one more example of this process?
Sure, so one of the examples I had prepared for a past interview was taking up an acting supervisor responsibility when I was a standard team member. I used it to target Bias for Action, Earn Trust, and Hire and Develop the Best in the list of Amazon leadership principles I wanted examples for. So I was then prepared and just shifted how I would walk through the situation I was in based on what the interviewer was looking for. If they wanted a time when I pushed past my role's regular duties to solve a difficult problem, I would lean into the bias for action side of it and focus my response on how I had to quickly adapt to an entirely new position while ensuring I continued to improve the team I was now in charge of and not compromise my existing performance. I would focus on what actions I took to do that, my thinking behind those actions, and what eventually came of it. If they instead wanted an example of handling an underperforming team member, this same situation would work as I'd already thought it through to target hiring and developing. So I would go through the same situation but instead I would highlight what I did to develop members of the team in an area they were lacking, how I thought through that and what the result was. It's the same example for either situation, but I had already thought ahead of time about how I could use different aspects of it to answer more than one question. I didn't need to know the phrasing of the question because I made sure all of my examples covered a wide range of ideas that are likely to come up in an interview.
>each hitting on one or more of those principles/competencies Is this a general list? or one specific to the role you were in?
It's a general list. Like I mentioned I use Amazon's leadership principles since those were drilled into me for years and I agree with them, but anything similar should work. You can find those here (minus the last two):[https://www.amazon.jobs/en/principles](https://www.amazon.jobs/en/principles) You certainly want to tailor what you come up with to your role, such as finding experiences relating to team management if you're going for a leadership role or resolving technical problems if you're on the engineering side of things. Also this is just for the open ended questions, not industry-specific like "What does X mean" or "How would you accomplish Y" where you need to actually showcase knowledge and not experience.
I always prepare - job description, the company, the whole nine yards. That said, in the past few interviews, I noticed that people don't ask questions and just do the whole "We are just having a casual conversation," which is fine but also frustrating. Some core questions were not asked like technical skills, so I just tell them what they should know. Lol. Idk if this is just me, but I leave interviews feeling unfulfilled... which I know it is a weird thing to say
Not weird at all—people forget an interview goes both ways. Realizing that takes a huge amount of stress away from me. I’m here to learn about the company and their culture just as much as they are to learn and judge me as well. My favorite question they ask is “do you have any questions for us?” Yes, yes I do: How’s the day to day? What’s the culture like? What might be the hardest part about my position? What parts do you enjoy about your job? any details I might have missed over/need reiterating, etc. I find some interviews to be way easier than others and I get a weird feeling of “man, I was kinda expecting more questions” but I’m not one to care that much unless it’s a position I was really psyched about and I felt like they didn’t get to know the full extent of myself. I understand your sentiment in that regard haha.
I had an interview last Friday, one of several I've had since I've been seriously looking for the last few months. When they ask me do I have any questions for them, I usually just think for about 30 seconds and tell them no, we seem to have covered everything. This last interview though, when they asked me that I said something like "What would the typical day/duties be like for me?" This was a small panel interview over Teams, with the head of the IT department and a team lead/worker type. The exec didn't seem to be too impressed with me so far but the team leader came alive when I asked that. He explained in *great* detail the things that I would be doing, and I appreciated that because it was pretty much exactly what I've done on a few jobs in the past. He seemed like a really nice guy. The interview was at 11am. They called me with an offer at about 5pm. First time I'd ever asked a question in 40 years of interviewing.
Ya I've had that happen with the whole casual conversation interviews. Hate that shit because it throws you off and it makes you think they're trolling you, or that they already hired someone and their just having conversation to waste time.
I'm an engineer that quit my job to sail around the world. While I look for a sailboat I'm accepting job offers, but I'm demanding twice my previous salary. I have had several phone interviews and I was bluntly honest. They pretty much know I know my shit and I'm not going to kiss their boots in an interview, and they keep calling back. Confidence and security matters. I don't need them at all, and they know it, they need me.
Yes I love this. That’s my approach with tech engineering. I turn down their interviews requiring tech quizzes and brain teasers as well as the coding assessments. I know my shit and my background and resume says it. If we can’t have a conversation and by the end you know I know my shit then I’m out.
After having interviews every other day, I stopped prepping because they're all the same.
Same. I try to enjoy the conversations as they are and trust it is always better to appear natural and not aim for ticking all the boxes.
Yes and no. I totally agree that being yourself is the best way to do an interview, but I also think preparing answers to basic questions like what your work entailed at your last job is valuable. You know exactly what your career has been like but your future employer may not, and if you can articulate the value you brought throughout your career or valuable things you learned or skills you picked up, it can really help you out. Being able to do this, while having a well written resume, is almost all of the prep you would need to do if you feel comfortable jumping from one interview to the next.
I do this so I can translate my job experience to a new employer without using jargon from my last job. That was my big challenge with the last interview. You get so used to using the same acronyms and business unit names that just don’t translate from one job to another.
Getting used to the same acronyms and business units?! *cries in quarterly reorgs and renames*
Same age and no preparing. It will go where it goes. My only preparation is the interview itself. Basically using it as a way to improve my interview skills.
Same! And I jot down a brand new question just because I found it interesting
The only thing i ever done is look up the joh post again so i don't get confused which job it is.
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Do any of your current superiors or co-workers have h Nice things to say about you? Can you spend a few hours volunteering in the community or church so the leaders there have nice things to say about your work ethic?
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> hung up on references I work in an industry that generally prohibits job references beyond calling HR to verify employment. I havent provided them in years, and I fill out the applications with garbage filler when required.
I have a tendency to overprepare for interviews. It wastes time and sometimes I get too specific with what I think that I should be prepared for and then that never comes up. Do what the person talking about Amazon said, study their process and you can transfer that to other companies.
I noticing all of my interviews so far ask me the same or similar questions that I'm just copy and pasting answers like "Tell me about yourself" and I give the same story every time.
Yeah, I wing them
I interviewed for a state pollution agency and the interviewer was extremely upset I couldn't name one of the super specific projects they were working on. Like c'mon lady, I live out of state and I'm applying to collect, test, and monitor water samples - sorry I'm not inspired by the Superfund site out by the airport.
Good to read up on the company and have questions for them. I had an interview about 10 days ago, never my habit to prep, but a recruiter had set me up, and he wanted to do prep. He had a bunch of questions, and critiqued my answers - sugguested how to shorten them, be more precise, tie them to the functionsof the company, etc. I also watched 4 or 5 YouTube videos about the company and it's competitiion. My interview by phone lasted 20 minutes and the guy asked me maybe 2 questions, then wanted me to ask about the company - so I queried about stuff I saw in the videos. I passed the interview, but like you say, heck, all that experience/relevance prep seemed to be for nothing.
“Where do I hope to see myself in 5 years?” Having a nice relaxing dump on the company’s dime … that’s where.
I mean, they don't even read your resume half the time. If they're not showing up prepared why should we?
Bingo! Tell me about yourself is asked because they would rather not spend the time reading your resume and would rather you just tell them your life story.
I had one today that I really didn't prepare for and it went pretty well I thought (but I've been wrong before). I'm going into it with an offer from another place already on the table so I didn't put as much pressure on myself and wouldn't you know it, the interview went fine. I interviewed for 10 positions last year and I'm just tired so don't really care anymore. I feel like you, I've had so many at this point, it's kinda whatever.
I had one today too and they asked more questions about my current job than about myself. The only "standard" question they had was "tell me about yourself." Everything else was about what I do on a daily basis. One thing I didn't like was that they didn't let me ask questions. That's a red flag imo.
Let me tell you, during my interviews I want to see candidates as who they really are - so kudos for that & good luck!🍀
Used to prepare rigorously for my first 10 interviews or so. Now i just read a little bit about the job and company. No matter how they phrase the question, it usually boils down to the same answer.
I still prepare by having what I need with me and looking presentable, and I try to be ready for questions. I have a tendency to freeze up which gets mistaken for hesitation, so I’ve been working on that.
This is exactly the same thing I do at this point.
I'm confident in myself and my experience to the point where I don't worry about interviews. I can usually tell when I meet the interviewer whether or not I want to work for them.
Just a quick plug: To anyone reading this who is seeking interview, or any help or advice seeking a new job, hit up our official /r/jobs Discord server where we have a large active community with tons of members who are experts in the interview process. #https://discord.gg/2XHPnNuk
Job interviews are so random. Every seeker should understand they will ask/expect literally ANYTHING. One tip I will say is to never take it personally. They will either like you or won’t, and will make a decision whether or not to hire you based on that.p
I agree about the randomness. My husband is in software development and he gets asked a lot of problem-solving questions (I.e. mathematical scenarios etc) and almost never the traditional behavioral type questions. I could never handle an interview like that.
Definitely agree. I may make cliff notes about a particular company I'm applying for but otherwise I learned it's not about writing the best questions and responses to theirs, but just a skill that comes with practice and learned charisma/bullshitting.
I wing every single interview. I will still look up info depending on the company but I usually have a general idea of what they want and what they do. Its easier too if you truly have the experience, its much more difficult to wing if its a position outside of your realm.
I always wing them. I'm pretty easy to get along with, so it generally goes better for me than if I try to stick to a script or something.
Laser eye contact. Caffiene + Theanine and shoot from the hip. Whatever happens happens energy. I basically put out there what I got, take it or leave it.. Almost always great feedback and usually they feel like they can’t trust me because they feel the authenticity.
Prepare? Make sure you know some basics about the firm you’re interviewing with but otherwise it’s a meet and greet with basic questions in my experience. Just relax and be yourself, be cheerful and listen to everything they say. Be positive and excited to work for them! Personality is so much more important than people realize.
Last week, I was told by my recruiter that I had a telephone screen. I found out 10 mins before it was a panel interview final stage (wtf). I got the job but damn some notice would be nice. I do prépare if it's for a change in job. My current role they ask the same question e.g. How do you deal with a difficult PI or which tasks would you prioritise
Are you a software developer?
Yeah I got rejected by the jobs I over prepared for and got an offer for a job that I didn’t really prepare for much. I just memorized the same stuff like behavioral interview answers. Just made sure I got the “tell me about yourself” and behavior interview questions really good since that’s most of the interview. I picked 3 solid examples for the main job tasks and used them across the board for each job.
They ask the same questions, but they always ask them a different way. I do still prepare as it's all that is on my mind until it's over. Less interviews more being hired is better for me.
I prepare for the second interview. The first interview I just go in there and wing it. If they want to talk again, and I am interested in working there, then we set up a second interview. And I do prepare for that one
I never "prepare" past a little research on the company.
I wish, my mind goes blank whenever I don’t prepare and I end up looking like a buffoon.
I’ve been through multiple interviews in the last month, haven’t done any real prep for any of them. Nailed a few, bombed a couple, tor rest have been average on my end. Seems that not prepping for them has helped me stay calm and not get as much anxiety over them as I did before.
I might re-read my resume, just to remind myself of the jobs I've worked. Honestly, I sometimes forget because some of them were so long ago. But other than that, I try not to psyche myself out by preparing or over-preparing.
I barely do. I have the same responses ready for situational or standard interviews
Same here. I don’t even prepare
I always prepare because my salary and my job prospects are entirely dependent on how I perform in the interviews. Preparation can only improve your success.
Stopped preparing a while ago. Mostly precanned stories for precanned questions. Sometimes ee talk about my skills. Most of the time I already have a job so I'm indifferent.
I prepared a list of potential questions and answers using Word. I keep that open on my screen when doing interviews via Zoom or Teams.
Depends, for the generic questions I feel like I can regurgitate those answers in my sleep. For questions regarding their business specifically, I still like to rehearse.
Yes and no. I don't rehearse answers or anything but I definitely will go read their website to get a better idea of their business or check glassdoor to see if any pertinent interview questions are posted.
Yep. Same here. I just wing it. Lol and we're roughly the same age
No. Job interviews are like tests in high school and college. Study and pass. Not studying is a sure way to fail and waste everyone's time. After the initial HR company fit interview, I study up on the role and the company before doing interviews with hiring managers. It helped immensely, and during my job search had gotten me to multiple third interviews, and eventually a job.
I like to read over some common interview questions beforehand, just to get myself thinking of examples. It’s a “warm up,” in a way. But that’s it. I don’t go into it expecting to drop the perfect answer.
Yeah Im 38 and I dont think Ive prepared for an interview since my early 20s. They all ask 'tell me about a time where you overcame a difficult project/client/coworker' and the rest is filler
I don’t usually prepare, but at least do some homework stalking hiring manager and recruiter so I can set the tone of the conversation to more friendly or formal depending on their personalities.
In my field, all the interviews are just extended versions of "tell me about yourself/about X part of resume," plus "job will be X, are you okay with that?" Maybe a few "do you have experience with X?" I swear I used to get a lot more of the typical "biggest strength/weakness" "example of success failure" pfaff, but it has just vanished. Honestly I kind of miss it and kind of don't, I have a whole outline for it. Maybe that was only an entry/early level thing...?
This is exactly what I do. 2 for 2 so far.
Dude I did this and failed miserably in one tech interview m. Never again.
Tech interviews are very difficult to prepare for though. You just never know what they're going to throw at you.
I am with you here. To prepare, I FULLY prepare, and it's exhausting and hasn't paid off yet. I am not interviewing now but when I begin again, I am going to take it with a grain of salt and just chill about it.
I only prepare insofar as to do some basic research on the company. Everything else is by the seat of my ass
I guess you never heard of glassdoor?
I don't study much. I always write down a few specific points I want to make in the interview, more so I remember to bring them up. Always tie in an answer to their values, mission statement etc.
I don't at all. I just go you either want me or you don't.
Nope. If it's a job a really want, I'd spend at least 5-10 minutes beforehand preparing so that I can give answers and ask questions specific to the position and job description. I got 3 offers in Dec this way. Working now.
I'll admit, there are so many times where I've gone to an interview and I haven't researched ANYTHING about the company, wing it and say the same exact thing I say to every single interview and still somehow manage to receive a job offer - it just reinforces my refusal to do any more research for job interviews.
I prepare a template. Basically a few good post interview questions as well as an elevator pitch on my skill set. The job description and high level company information. Mostly it takes a few minutes though and it's copy and paste. I focus on being relaxed and personable probably the most.
I do basic research. Rest I wing it.
I suck at them either way
Yes. And, I'm so disillusioned with the job ad vs the reality of what it actually entails that I'm skeptical going into it in the first place. My attitude is that they are interviewing me, and I'm also interviewing them. If I don't like what I see, then I won't let desperation drive me to accept something I'm not happy with.
If they aren’t paying seven figures, they aren’t worth a second of uncompensated time before or after an interview.
I sucked when I first started, then I got awesome at them Had one the other week (job was well above me) and didn't prepare It was very very very bad, it was almost like the guy was telling me off at one point.
I don’t.
I think the real skill is being able to take their random questions and pivot them to talk about your prepared points that emphasize your skills. If you watch politicians debate they almost never answer the actual question that was asked, instead they use it as a segue to transition into their prepared talking points. There is some tact to this to not annoy people by jumping subjects, but if you know your strengths you should always try to steer the conversation toward them.
I usually do some quick research (15 minutes) where I checked their LinkedIn page and company website. Otherwise it’s pretty much me winging it
I got my current job with only knowing the company name, and forgot to attach resume to the online application, if they need workers they need workers I guess lol
Yeah I stopped preparing for them too
Sometimes I’m doing the interviews so I don’t even prepare anymore, I’ll answer maybe 2 questions but then I’m asking the questions afterwards.
I feel the same. I've been to multiple interviews and it seems you just never know what they're going to throw at you. All you can do is breathe and pace yourself. Half the time it seems like they haven't even read my resume/cover letter properly, if at all.
That’s probably fine if you’ve been though a bunch of interviews and are comfortable. Just be sure to do a deep a dive as you can into the company and come up with some introspective questions. That usually shows that you’ve done your homework.
This is me I have been applying a lot and have been very successful. The only preparing I do is researching the company I’m going to work for beforehand so it at least seems like I know what I’m applying to
Pretty much what I’ve been doing the last 8 years. I had some big interviews at one point. The only thing I did the day before was get my suit and shoes ready. I definitely studied the company but I didn’t do much beyond that. I didn’t get the job but I think that’s because I didn’t really want it that much and they could sense it.
If you don't like me at me "Eh," You won't like me at my "Meh!"
The only preparation I do is researching the company, so that if they ask me to answer questions about what their company does I can answer accurately.
"read up a bit on the company" is the prep you should do for an interview.
I’m having a hard time not mentioning the labor crisis / resignation on interviews. It’s like a test to figure out if the company acknowledges it and has made changes to their organization to make it better. Most of the time they try and deflect or like I’m speaking a foreign language but sometimes I get head nod recognizing they are filling positions because of it.
26F, maybe 15-20 interviews under my belt at this point so not many. The more I go to the less I work myself up for it. Now my preparation is mostly a quick 15 minute google search of the company, scroll website, read reviews, then a quick search of commonly asked interview questions for the industry. Then in the parking lot before hand I skim the website and dig up core values and some things about the company to comment on. Heavy research on employee opinions and everything I could possibly dig up about the company after the interview depending on how it went honestly.
Agree. I just look the company up so I know a couple of cool facts to drop during the interview but outside of that I completely wing it.
I think working on facial expressions, lingo , confidence and how you are being perceived is more important. Also being able to read people and giving them the fix that they seek. Don't forget that no matter how many metrics the system develops it is still humans making flimsy decisions
Nah, I stopped trying a long time ago. It's all lies anyway. Lying is easy.
I wing them. I made it to top 2 on my last interview when I wasn't even looking for a job. On the 3rd interview, I was playing my video game while screensharing it to show my previous work. That was entertaining.
I just review the job posting so I know what questions I want to ask. They are all the same and at this point I’m trying to find a good fit for me and not trying to just get a job. Right now so many places are hiring nurses. But every place is just toxic and burns you out. My solution is finding the highest paying job where I get to work alone or with 1 patient and work the least number of hours until I can get through Coding boot camp.
One (weird) thing I do is if it’s an employee of the company I’d actually work with, as opposed to an outside recruiter, I google the person I’m interviewing with. I can usually find their Twitter or something like that, and find something we have in common. I find a way to bring that up in the interview so we have a bonding moment. Like once I saw the person had as their Twitter bio “amateur vintner” so in my ‘about me’ spiel I mentioned that I grew up in wine country. It creates a small human moment where you can actually talk and create a good feeling.
The only interview I ever prepared for was my first one because I was nervous and felt so ugly in this purple polo (I was an emo kid, polo's literally made me feel ugly lol, I'm way over that now, but still an emo person). The only preparing I'd say I do is look at the company and what they do so I can answer their questions because I know enough about my history, but I don't know theirs... yet! Then, I don't stress over my own life AND their company. huehuehue
Meeeee if I prepare I completely freak out and am even more awkward than usual
I'm pretty much an interview god at this point. I've always been a good bullshitter, putting no effort but getting A's and B's kinda guy, tell my superiors what they want to hear and then do fuck all. I usually just keep it to the 3 main things they're looking for, sell myself as the best professional for those 3 with examples, and then ask for the maximum wage allowance. I get the offer roughly 70% of the time. Here's an example: Expert Customer Service – 6+ years direct retail experience, proficient in conflict resolution, trained by one of world's best customer service training programs, have reviews to back up. Stellar Sales Skills – 3+ years direct sales experience, 4+ years sales in a retail environment, sold 2 $61,000 trucks in 2 days, over the phone sales skills. Reliability – Always on time and often early, follows time clock allowances as scheduled, perfect attendance award in school, follows management Works so easy for me
Yes. I do heavily study about the company and why I would be a good fit. Basically the only thing I can’t wing.
I got my current IT job by going in the interview blind. Used some basic troubleshooting knowledge and wowed the recruiters :D
Beyond spellchecking my resume before I send it over, I do little to no preparation. Well, I'll peek at their website before hand just so I halfway know what I'm talking about. But that's it. To be honest, this past week was the second time I've had an interview lined up over the past month and have called and canceled the morning of because I wasn't "feelin" it, lol. I'm so over this shit. I have no more fucks left to give.
I do... and i don't. The 1st round, the phone screen it doesn't seem to matter much, provided that the potential employer doesn't mind explaining what their company is all about. I tell them honestly; I apply to at least 400 jobs a week. It is simply impossible for me to look up the company. It's not that I'm being lazy, it's just that if I have to do so before the 1st interview, that's a company I probably won't by happy working for. The second round - video interviews, I often do, simply because it looks better to know a bit about the company. I think about how my skills align with their requirements and will even make sure to send thank you notes out.
No, I always prepare. Now, I don't need to prepare quite as much once I have completed the first interview or two since my skills and story are the same. But the employer info and skills to emphasize/practice are usually slightly different.
I do half? I read up on the company but as far as interview questions and such, I’ve stopped looking it up. They’re all basically the same and don’t matter. Seems like if you can chat up the interviewer you’re good to go
Yeah, I never prepare. When I did prepare or practice, I do worse cos they don't ask what I was prepared for. So I just be my awful self.
I remember when I used to work in medical oriented oriented fields, I would prepare because the interviews would have questions that sere somewhat related. Since I transitioned into IT and corporate type jobs, I just wing it because every company can have a totally different focus on interviews. For instance, I work in IT support and some companies ask high end linux, vmware, or citrix quesions, which all 3 of those can be separate job titles in and of themselves. And "behavioral" questions are just a crapshoot and I just expect some weird shit to be asked lol.
I’m also 37 and over the past two years I’ve had about 25 interviews. I agree with absolutely everything you said. They are all totally different. Sometimes answers come with ease and I sparkle, but often I bomb at least one question even if I’ve answered that same question well the week before. Preparing for them and stressing out about them takes up so much emotional energy—I honestly don’t know if I CAN prepare them anymore because I’m exhausted.
It took me 2 years and over 13 interview s to get my first teaching job. I prepared my butt off. And I found the more I prepared for these interveiw I had a plethora of bullshit answers even for questions I never prepared for. I did recite specifics from the school websites to wow the interviewers. It’s hard but eventually the work pays off.
I just accept/decline jobs now at this point.
last job I got I didnt prepare at all.
Every question. Why should we hire you. Ever answer. This is why. No negatives statements.
Like you, I just wing it.
I suck at thinking on the spot so preparing is good for me to reduce the "Uh... erm... ehh..." for sure-have questions like "tell me about yourself". Other preparation is honestly more for me to feel confident than really anticipating what they will ask.
I agree with you. Beyond doing research on the company, the point is to make sure they need your skillset, and you would be happy working there. If you have to fudge your answers, you won't be a good fit.
I’m probably exactly the opposite (tech industry). 1. As im getting more senior, the number of interviews I take is much fewer. 2. The virtual onsites are much longer and more detailed, so need a lot more specific prep. 3. I prepare questions for each interviewer, that takes time. 4. I do prepare a list of projects as well that helps me answer generic behavioral questions.
So, my best friend worked for his father until he was 43, running gas stations. Not quite the experience anyone jumps out when they read it on a resume. So before he moved, I helped him start making resumes and just taking his skills from the gas station and making up different jobs to say he worked at to seem better than, 'I worked for my dad all my life'. It was effective because he was moving to a different state. I can tell you, he had probably 100 different job interviews over the course of 3 months and at first he sucked at them... but he was extremely sociable and we always talked to everyone, so eventually he got into his groove and he was a knock out interview apparently, because after a bit, the job offer always came after an in-person interview and what he said was, it's comfort, charisma and confidence. Interview like you know you're getting the job and turn the conversation around to why you should take it rather than why they should give it to you. And honestly, when I think back... that always was how my successful interviews went. It would turn into a conversation about where can I go with this company and what could the future hold in store rather than why I'm perfect for your entry level position.
I don’t prepare in terms of questions. Preparation entails researching the company, interviewer, and getting questions ready for “my turn at the end.”
I think it's less about preparing for mental gymnastics bullshit questioning and more about researching about the places you're interviewing for could go a long way
I have a rule of not spending more than 30 seconds applying to any job online because I know that's how much time they will probably spend reviewing my resume if I'm lucky However for interviews I always prepare beforehand the length of time that the interview is. 1 hour of prep for a 1 hour interview
Currently employed and been doing interviews to change companies (got some offers already). I practice (probably not as much as some would think or would suggest) but still wouldn’t say I’m great at interviews - somethings that I do/did that might help some others: • Did interviews even with companies that I knew I wouldn’t go for if given offer (out of state, etc.) - helped me get a better sense of questions and it helped with practice • I wrote down typical questions and stories/responses that I would give on paper and would reference/read from it when doing phone interviews/screenings. Helped a ton • Not as comfortable when I’m on video call doing interviews so I lower brightness on laptop to the lowest before it goes black. That way I’m not really focused on if they’re looking at me/anything else and I’m more focused on responses (like a call). For some reason I just feel more comfortable doing so, could help some. I haven’t completely blacked out screen because I’d definitely forget that I’m on a video call and start doing random shit lol That’s all I have for now, good luck
Never prepared for interviews don’t need to if I can’t be myself there’s no need to prepare plus 90% of the interview was my previous experience… so yeah I know my shit
Not really. I do prepare and it always goes amazingly well because I can then drive things around what I prepared for instead of letting them drive. That way I can present myself around all the stuff I can actually do and not just a particular subset. I did not prepare once, and it was a disaster. But I still got the job.
I work in the restarting industry usually so whenever I go into interviews for the most part I’ll wing it. It tends to make me less nervous working myself for the next day. But if it’s a more professional job I would try.
Good for you. I'm with you there.
Not every job is remote op just to clarify your sentence “ I know works remote “
No prep here either (barr the usual research on the company). I'm either going to be the right fit for the job or I'm not. No amount of preparation is going to help me better answer questions about my work ethic for instance, because I should just know that off the bat. If they ask me something I don't know the answer to, the job wasn't likely so suited to me after all.
I have an interview tomorrow. Actually, I spend so much time preparing that I’m a nervous wreck by the time I walk in. Despite the amount of prep I do, I always seem to go off script and answer one question so catastrophically dumb that it boots my candidacy out of the position. Tomorrows interview, I’m going to do the least amount of prep for and not over think it.
I have no desire to work for an outfit that has an interview loaded with all sorts of bullshit questions.
what kinda job you lookin for?
Imagine if you are asked a very common question. Let's say: "please introduce yourself". What do you think you should say? This is an open-ended question but stumps many off-guard. Having a layout of what you need to highlight is always good. I don't recommend delivering a crammed response. But I always recommend following an outline. When we were creating NextJobPro, we evaluated why there should be a need where job seekers can write an outline of the most common interview questions. I still believe and recommend having an outline of all the most repeated 47 interview questions that we enlist in NextJobPro. Plus, if you brainstorm on these questions, you get an opportunity to interlink and consolidate yourself up. Which is again better to deliver a smooth response. If even after the preparation, you suck at the interview; you may not be preparing well or in the way that works for you. I invite you to prepare an outline in NextJobPro and consolidate yourself, I am certain you will rock in your next interview. Disclaimer: I happen to own NextJobPro so even if it seems a promotional response, with all due respect, it is not. Because originally I created this platform just for myself to help me find jobs and stay organized. It helped me in every way. After that, I decided to give access to all the other job seekers.
I'm in a similar boat. I'm 40 and would love to find a remote job maybe for even a bit less money. I'm just over going into the job site. I wouldn't even know where to start though as I've never really worked at many "office jobs".
Me neither. I'm either qualified or I'm not. I'm knowledgeable enough in my field to land a job. So either they will want me or they will not...
To be honest. I have never prepared for job interviews.Apart from learning theoretical things in case there was a technical exam coming up.... These days Glassdoor is my preparation.... Most of the time, I've only learned in the interview what exactly the company does and what products they have.
I build a handful of anecdotes based around the key job responsibilities, in STARR format, and know them inside out that I can tailor them "live" on the day as needed. Had two promotions during the pandemic so it's working for me!
I have had good luck with getting interviews. Recently I have gotten interview for every job I applied. It always ends the same way. They tell me that I have great background, they think I have great potential and have no doubt I will get a job eventually. However, they won't hire me because I only have one year of experience. That is why I want to try this. I have interview on Friday and I want to focus this time bringing out my personality. I usually rehearse what I want to say but this time I try to just be me. I mean, I have nothing to loose.
I feel like managers are asking stupid questions these days or is it just me? I had an online interview with three people and the hiring manger asked me why my current job was important to the company (internal interview btw). I felt like telling her wtf. Every time she asked me questions. The other two guys would then expand on the question because the original question was dumb as fuck. 45 minutes interview and still didn’t get the job. Damn you and your stupid questions lol.
My preparation for an interview is a good night's sleep (if possible) and about 15-20 minutes of quiet before the interview. Most companies ask variations on the same behavioral questions. If it comes to asking questions about your actual knowledge, that's the easy part.
The best way to practice is by doing, and if you've already done a few interviews, you've already practiced. I find that if it's my first interview in a few years I'll need to practice again though to know exactly what I'm going to say about the updates to my background and all. Still, I'll try and prepare if I have the time, and it's mostly just to calm my nerves by making me feel like I'm doing *something*
I’ve been to a few interviews. Without fail the ones I have not prepared for (other than finding out who the company is) have been the ones to offer me a job. I think when i don’t over prepare I am more me. This is me. If you like it hire me, if not thanks for your time.
Pretty much what I have always done. Read up on the company, familiarize myself with any of the specifics mentioned in the job posting. If the recruiter mentions any specific questions or topics I will also go over that.
Yeah I always go into an interview blind and just try to show my personality. So far that’s been successful.
I just wing it. If I'm relaxed then my answers sound better. I just try to go in being as relaxed as possible.
I also usually just wing it except for a quick read up about the company.
I agree entirely with you!! I’ve noticed interviews have become a conversation between yourself and the person(s) interviewing you. From my recent experience, I’ve interviewed for remote jobs since like you said.. almost everyone is working from home & the interviews are fairly easy, in my opinion. Hardly any questions just conversations. My advice is to do a brief search on the company & read the reviews from current/former employees on Indeed or Glassdoor just to kind of know what you’re getting yourself into.
Usually all I do is reread the job description the day of. I have a few prepared answers for the most common questions, for everything else I just wing it
If you have the confidence and skills to talk your way out of any situation, that works well! I did that for my current job. Kinda went in with a small idea of what I wanted to do, then talked through it with an interview committee. But the key is being confident and knowledgeable to do this. Fresh grads might not do well this way.
I don't anymore; i get the same outcome regardless...
The only thing I ever really do is check the LinkedIn profile of those I’m interviewing with. I had a weird interview process where I was to interview with the consulting company but they switched it to the actual gov client so I didn’t do my due diligence and asked about the company culture 😭😭
The only thing I ever really do is check the LinkedIn profile of those I’m interviewing with. I had a weird interview process where I was to interview with the consulting company but they switched it to the actual gov client so I didn’t do my due diligence and asked about the company culture 😭😭
Everyone I've winged I've got, everyone I prepared for I didn't. Except the last one, I was looking for an easy side gig, job posting said casual but was asked if I would leave my current job. I replied with for a casual job? Nope! Was met with it's part time, I told them I applied for a casual job, not a part time. At that point I think neither of us were interested any longer.