Interview Preperation ~ What's the single best advice you've ever received? Why?
*This could apply to either side of the desk, ie, interviewer or candidate
Thank you,
Kirk Abraham
@EASTeam
Clarification added 10 months ago:
One good advice for actually asking a question (like this) is SPELLCHECK! ~> ~> "Preparation" <~ <~
Answers (115)
Taylor W.
Sr SW Project Manager, independent consultant
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Interviewee and Interviewer: it's a two-way interview
Kellie A.
Principal Consultant + Employment Relationship Specialist
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Learn as much as you can about the organization as a candidate and be sure that it's somewhere you would be proud to work.
As an interviewer, learn how to interview effectively and why you are asking questions you are asking.
And for both - practice your effective listening skills! Very important!
Links:
James G.
Experienced IT Professional & Real Estate Investor
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As interviewee:
1. Re-read your resume for what your interviewer will have read. Think about questions she/he might ask based on what you've been able to learn about the position and company's corporate culture. Map info from your resume to expand on, as examples, whether questions to you are about your capabilities, knowledge, or more behavior-oriented.
2. Prepare at least 2 questions of your own, including "what do you (the interviewer) see as the biggest challenge /greatest opportunity (I think the wording most important objective) for the person who will fill the position for which I'm interviewing" (only shorter in language more natural to you). Ask question(s) at what seems like a natural point, versus necessarily waiting for near the end where the interviewer usually formally asks "do you have any questions for me".
Abdul R.
Marketer►Writer►Speaker
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Listen carefully.
The best tip is trying to gather as much information as possible about the culture of the company. This will give you an idea about what they would be looking for in their new recruits.
Todd H.
Freelance Writer for textbroker.com
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The candidate must arrive dressed well and being informed about the firm he or she is interviewing at. The interviewers must look for the right candidates to interview and pay attention to whether applicants heed their directions, etc.
Links:
Evien T.
career counselor at Aristeion
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As a third party, career counselor, I always advice candidates to look at is as a two-way interview, the employer needs the employee just as much as the other way around. To achieve this the candidate must prepare in such a way that s/he can find out if this is the right employer. This means to know what will toss the coin and how to get that information during the interview.
Advice I give, as a career coach, be sure your handshake conveys confidence. Look at the interviewer when answering a question. SMILE!!! - -
Links:
Preparation is key - always prepare..
Look into the company learn about their history, what they do, how the CEO thinks, how are they led are they creatively led, sales led etc. Think about the job description in relation to your experience and in relation to where you want to go. What can you bring to the company and what can they company offer you it is two way.
Sounds stupid, but always listen to the interviewer and carefully consider your answers ...
Katie C. also suggests this expert on this topic:
Bruce E.
Programmer
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never received any advice but i would say as an interviewee know your material and be prepared to answer any question. and be prepared for the obvious questions such as why do you want to work here, or where do you see yourself in x years. as an interviewer ask the right questions to determine if the interviewee possesses the skills you are looking for. these may be tough questions, thats fine, as long as they are applicable to your business. too often people ask 'gotcha' questions involving irrelevant trivia which serve no purpose other than to give the asker a sense of superiority. forget that nonsense, ask whats relevant to the job at hand
Wendy J.
Recruitment and Employability Specialist
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Know yourself.
Understand your strengths and your weaknesses. Compile a list of commonly asked questions and make sure you can answer all of them. Get someone to look through your CV and ask what questions it raises. Make sure you can explain your role and experience comprehensively but concisely.
It goes without saying that you need to research the company you're interviewing with, but if you know know yourself then it's all in vain.
For the candidate:
Don't just think about what the company can do for you and your career. Think about what you can do for the company.
Victor Y.
Components Engineer at VY Components Engineering Ltd.
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I didn't receive this advise, but I am willing to share it.
It applies to both candidates and prospective employers.
Avoid eating garlic few days before the interview.
If you get hired, follow this advise every day.
Sorry, it is just my over sensetive nose telling me what to type.
The single best book I've ever read about interview situations... Actually it's a sales book, but it really applies to both the interviewer and the interviewee, as both are engaged in the process of discovery.
Links:
Alex F.
Career coach | interview trainer | personal branding | salary negotiations | networking coach | blogger & speaker
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I am a career coach specializing in interview coaching. [ There are career coaches who are generalists and they do everything. Yet, some specialize in resumes or the interview preparation ] The best advice I can give to people preparing for an interview is to mock-interview with someone competent, well-qualified and experienced and who can provide honest and unbiased feedback.
From my years of experience I concluded that it takes between 4 to 5 hours of mock-interviewing to get someone fully ready. Provide him/her the knowledge and confidence required to convince the interviewer that you are the “ideal candidate”.
In past I thought that the higher one is in the organization the better they know how to interview. I was dead wrong! Everybody needs help to be really good in selling himself/herself.
Links:
The best piece of advice for an interview: arrive early. This applies to life in general as well. For me, as an interviewer, your abilities, qualifications, personality, and educational experience all 'go downhill' when you arrive late for that initial first impression.
Scott S.
Author, "Find Your Perfect Job: The Inside Guide for Young Professionals"
Think of it as a two-way conversation where the two parties are on equal footing. The candidate is interviewing the company to see if it fits his/her goals and the company is interviewing the candidate to see if he/she fits the role and the organization.
Thinking of it as two-way should help you alleviate stress and gain confidence so that your performance is optimized.
-Author, "Find Your Perfect Job: The Inside Guide for Young Professionals"
Links:
Andrew S.
Head of the WCW Group
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The best advice you can give someone who is going to interview is to know your brief, understand the added value and skills you can offer, know the company or organisation you wish to join like the lines on your hand, and above all, to be yourself.
There is no point in trying to be someone else. It is unnatural. Secondly, if you are given a question you do not know or cannot answer, do not bluff. State that you do not know the answer. Be frank and direct. Most people are afraid to say that they do not know something. Finally, remember that the interview is a "game". Nobody owes you a job. Your role is to "sell" a product which bears your name. If you can show that your uniqueness is a fit with what the company is seeking and the chemistry between you and interviewer match than in theory you should be successful.
Lastly, I should add that you should train. Seriously train to meet as many contingencies as you can. Then go and do the best that you can.
From the standpoint of the interviewer, your role is different because you have choice. Examine the candidates thoroughly and see who will make the "right" match with the position on offer. Depending on the role, you should see whether this person can glide into the position and meet expectations.
from Andrew Scharf
Links:
Sreenadh O.
QA Manager at Genesis Vital Processors Pvt. Ltd. (Certifid: ISTQB-TM, CSPM, CSQA, ITIL V3F, Internal Auditor)
Didn't receive any advice. But the following are the rules I try to follow -
As an interviewer : Look for potential, and not the knowledge.
As a candidate: Know yourself and be yourself.
Subodhkumar P.
Web Business Associates at MAPYN
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You do your best.
I will do my best.
I recently helped a client with a search and sent them the top candidate choices. From the candidates I sent, they picked 2 to interview. Wanting to see more, the client asked me to continue the search. The day after interviewing the 2 I sent, the client had made their decision. The candidate they selected came prepared with a plan answering every key objective in the ad. It blew my client away. That type of preparedness put him so many miles above the rest they ended their search.
Knowing about the company is important but so is a complete understanding of the job and being able to demonstrate how you will best meet their needs.
For the candidate:
Show enthusiasm!
Thank the interviewer for their time. Reiterate why you are interested in the role. Smile!
Don't lie.
Lies erode confidence.
Vijaya Bhaskar K.
Electrical Validation & Test Engineer at GAMESA WIND U.S., Gamesa Innovation & Technology Centre
Be responsible to yourself, so that u could become a leader to your organization and a role model to others, who could emulate....
Be prepared to take higher and higher responsibilities and set yourself to reach the goals of the organization......
Vijay Kuppa
As the candidate, it is important to know your audience, "I.E. Your Interviewer". It's like being on stage, you need to be prepared, know what you're going to say and be aware of your body language! It's amazing how much person bases opinion on what they observe of someone. That is why what you say and what you do is important to be aware of when it comes to an interview.
Tara L.
Managing Director - Recruiter Republic - Recruitment & Training just for Recruiters
If you are an employer then conduct the interview as if this is the best candidate you have ever met and really want them to join your organisation, if you are the candidate work the interview as if it's the best job you could possibly get. Either way it is a great opportunity to develop your employer or employee brand and you should always have the employer/employee as a future emabassador - spreading the word on your behalf!
Always close the interviewer for an answer of how well you have done and whether you would be the right fit for the company...
Exude confidence. Maintain eye contact. Use statements such as "That's a great question" to allow yourself that extra moment to gather you thoughts whilw at the same time paying the interviewer a complement.
