About 90% of your early career boils down to your ability to interview. Most young people suck at it, and it shows.
Want to be a millionaire? Master the art of interviewing.
Go undefeated by avoiding these 9 common mistakes.
Want to be a millionaire? Master the art of interviewing.
Go undefeated by avoiding these 9 common mistakes.
1: Don't under-dress.
This doesn't mean a full suit.
It means dressing appropriately. You "I'm gonna wear a t-shirt and jeans because I'm just THAT GOOD" guys will *never* succeed because you don't interview well and are way too cocky.
This doesn't mean a full suit.
It means dressing appropriately. You "I'm gonna wear a t-shirt and jeans because I'm just THAT GOOD" guys will *never* succeed because you don't interview well and are way too cocky.
Truth: I've never said no to a candidate because they over-dressed.
I have said no to candidates who underdress or believe their IQ makes up for lousy judgment.
It doesn't.
I have said no to candidates who underdress or believe their IQ makes up for lousy judgment.
It doesn't.
2: Don't avoid your weaknesses.
Here's a secret: Your interviewers don't give a shit what your weaknesses are. What they want to know is that you're honest.
If asked, "What are your biggest weaknesses", answer honestly.
"I'm equally strong in all areas" is the wrong answer.
Here's a secret: Your interviewers don't give a shit what your weaknesses are. What they want to know is that you're honest.
If asked, "What are your biggest weaknesses", answer honestly.
"I'm equally strong in all areas" is the wrong answer.
3: Don't be caught off-guard.
Interviewers are getting creative. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter questions. Expect your interviewers to try to throw you in some way.
- Awkward silence
- Whiteboard challenges
- Open-ended questions (ie: "Talk about how you get things done")
Interviewers are getting creative. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter questions. Expect your interviewers to try to throw you in some way.
- Awkward silence
- Whiteboard challenges
- Open-ended questions (ie: "Talk about how you get things done")
4: Don't use too much cologne/perfume.
I remember one candidate who bathed in clove oil before the interview. You could smell it down the hall.
Be conservative when it comes to smells, jewelry or other distractions.
Keep it simple.
I remember one candidate who bathed in clove oil before the interview. You could smell it down the hall.
Be conservative when it comes to smells, jewelry or other distractions.
Keep it simple.
5: Never walk out without asking a question.
Most interviews end with: "Do you have any questions for us?"
Have a question prepared. Never say "Nope", or, "I think you already answered all my questions". Those are bullshit answers.
Ask a good question.
Most interviews end with: "Do you have any questions for us?"
Have a question prepared. Never say "Nope", or, "I think you already answered all my questions". Those are bullshit answers.
Ask a good question.
Examples of good questions:
- Promotional opportunities
- Reporting structures
- Goals for first 90 days
- Who you'd be working with
- Training opportunities
- Promotional opportunities
- Reporting structures
- Goals for first 90 days
- Who you'd be working with
- Training opportunities
6: Don't just talk skills; tell stories
The best way to instantly connect with your interviewers is to tell stories that describe your experience.
How can you tell stories?
- Give a pointed answer
- Then, provide context
- Talk about what you learned
The best way to instantly connect with your interviewers is to tell stories that describe your experience.
How can you tell stories?
- Give a pointed answer
- Then, provide context
- Talk about what you learned
7: Don't look like you hate your life.
I cannot count the number of candidates who looked like they wanted to kill themselves in the interview.
- They were tired
- They never smiled
- They looked angry
Smiling immediately gives you the upper hand in a sea of normal candidates.
I cannot count the number of candidates who looked like they wanted to kill themselves in the interview.
- They were tired
- They never smiled
- They looked angry
Smiling immediately gives you the upper hand in a sea of normal candidates.
8: Don't come in empty-handed.
Even if you don't use it, carry a notebook with you. It makes you look professional. And it means you're prepared to jot down notes or anything important.
It implies you're organized, and companies like organized workers.
Even if you don't use it, carry a notebook with you. It makes you look professional. And it means you're prepared to jot down notes or anything important.
It implies you're organized, and companies like organized workers.
9: Don't be a robot.
Roll with the punches in the interview rather than giving scripted answers.
The best interviewees listen well and give tailored answers that are directed at exactly what the company needs.
Roll with the punches in the interview rather than giving scripted answers.
The best interviewees listen well and give tailored answers that are directed at exactly what the company needs.
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Much love.
These suckers take a LONG TIME to write. If you liked it, please RT the first tweet so others can see it too.
Much love.
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