How to Ace an Interview: 17 Things That Hiring
Managers Look For
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Change and Work/Life Balance Guru Read full profile
Here are some valuable tips that might help you prepare for a job interview!
1. Do your homework
If I’m going to invest my time into speaking with
you about my vacant position, I want to be sure that you are interested in my
organization. And the only way I will know that is if you’ve done your
homework. You should be prepared to connect your previous experiences and
skills with how you can contribute to my company.
“Tell me how your skills
and experience have prepared you for a position at This Company?”
2. Fit the company (almost) perfectly
Candidates should be interviewing the employer in
this session as well! The companies want to know that if the candidates
have thought about how they connect with their mission and values and if they agree with them. Dr. Kerry Schofield wrote on Good&Co:[1]
As for myself, I just want an employee who wants to make a difference for my company, not just earn a paycheck.
As for myself, I just want an employee who wants to make a difference for my company, not just earn a paycheck.
“How do you see yourself
contributing to this organization?”
3. Be Aware of your own weaknesses
You need to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses – but
particularly the weaknesses.
But the interviewer/manager needs to know where you struggle, so he can assist you and support you; so he can connect you with a team member or mentor who balances your challenge areas.
“What are two of your
strength areas, and name one area where you struggle from time to time?”
4. Know how to manage conflicts
Don’t tell me that it’s always been rainbows and
sunshine between you and your co-workers. You may actually have had a big
challenge with a previous supervisor.
I want to know how you manage conflict in the
workplace and what you’ve learned from workplace conflict. Understanding the
way you respond to negative situations tells me a great deal about how you can
contribute.
“Tell me about a time when
you had a disagreement with a coworker. How did you resolve the situation; and
what did you learn about yourself in the process?”
5. Solve problems skillfully
In the face of confusion or frustration, how do you
solve a problem and move the project forward? As your supervisor or hiring
manager, I’m definitely interested in how you manage those bumps in the road
and recover from the distraction. In an article on the HuffPost, Ken Watanabe
said regarding problem solving,[2]
“It’s important to realize that being a problem
solver isn’t just an ability; it’s a whole mind-set, one that drives people to
bring out the best in themselves and to shape the world in a positive way.”
“You and your team have
realized that you completely under budgeted the advertising project that is due
in 48 hours. How do you approach this situation and prepare for the deadline?”
6. Have a good personality
I mean, can you talk about a variety of topics? Do
you connect with others in the room and make eye contact? Do you have something
to say or do you just sit there? I’m not talking about whether you are an
introvert or extrovert; I know a ton of introverts who also have personality.
Demonstrate your individualism and show how you will approach tasks and
projects.
“What would your former
supervisor say is the most unique thing about you?”
7. Be a leader and a follower
Depending on the position you are pursuing, the
hiring manager may be looking for a supervisor or team leader; or they might be
looking for someone to complete their team. You should be able to show how you
can do both. In certain circumstances, different leadership and teamwork styles
emerge, so you want to be able to indicate where the division is for you.
“Describe a project or
event where you were clearly the leader; how did you demonstrate this and what
was the result?”
“In what circumstances do
you prefer to serve the team as a member, or follower?”
8. Know your expectations
If your hiring manager is also going to be your
supervisor, he will want to get a sense of how you like to be supervised; or
how you need to be supervised.
Are you looking for a supervisor who is also a
mentor? Or do you work better if you are left alone? Are you going to ask for
clarification every time a task is delegated to you? Or are you more likely to
ask for forgiveness rather than permission?
“What expectations do you
have of this position, or of your supervisor?”
9. Able to achieve work life balance
You won’t be any good in the workplace if you
aren’t taking good care of yourself. No one can serve from an empty vessel.
Employees who focus on work life balance are more
engaged, more productive and happier in their positions. Doing a little extra
hustle in the early days while you learn the ropes and get to know your team is
one thing; skipping lunch hours and staying late multiple times a week is another.
Show the hiring manager that you have alignment and you aren’t just your job.
“What are your hobbies or
interests?”
“What strategies do you use
to make good use of your down time?”
10. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity
You don’t need to do cartwheels or be a cheerleader
(unless you really are that person); but answering questions with no interest
or eagerness will demonstrate otherwise. Convey genuine excitement in the
opportunity this position brings you.
“Why do you want to work
for us here at Blah Blah Company?”
11. Show your confidence
You’ve made it this far because you truly believe
you can do this job. You genuinely want this position. The interview is not
time for you to beg for a job, so you need to be prepared that you can
demonstrate your abilities and belief in yourself.
“What previous experiences
have prepared you to assume this position?”
12. Strive for results
Walking the walk isn’t enough. Your new boss wants
to know if you can get things done and provide results. How exactly are you going
to prove that in an interview? Make sure you can explain a time where you
completed a project from start to finish and can show how it made a difference.
Furthermore, as shared by Audrey Fisher on her
blog, being results oriented allows you (and your supervisor) to measure your
progress and take ownership.[3]
“How have you specifically
contributed to your previous employer or organization/department?”
13. Show your positivity
Employees with positive attitudes are more
productive in the workplace. And frankly, positivity is contagious. Your
tendencies to show that you are a Glass Half Full person helps with overall
morale, and managers really like this. No one wants to work with Debbie Downer
or Negative Nancy. And chances are, no one wants to supervise these ladies,
either.
“Tell me about a time when
you have achieved a negative result in a project or event. What did you learn
from that experience?”
14. Be specific when you explain yourself
As a hiring manager and supervisor, I got really
sick and tired of hearing these various responses:
- “I’m
a people person.”
- “I have excellent leadership skills.”
- “I’m
such a perfectionist.”
- “I’m a total team player.”
By making these statements, you’ve told me exactly
nothing. What made you that people person? What specific leadership skills can
you perform? The ability to provide specific examples in your interview
responses are so much more effective than generalizations.
“Tell me about a time when
you had to lead a team through a project. What skills did you leverage to
complete this project?”
15. Demonstrate that you’re a team player
No woman (or man) is an island. Unless you are
interviewing for a telecommunications gig (and even some of those have teams),
you’re going to have colleagues and peers and fellow staffers who will rely on
you and need your participation.
Be prepared to express and explain how you
contribute to the teams you are assigned, and what your role usually has been.
“Tell me about a time where
you worked on a project with a team. What was your role, and what was the
outcome?”
16. Trustworthy
“Trust is the basis of every relationship.” I’m
embarrassed that I can’t remember the name of the comedy film where this came
from although I’m sure that screen writer wasn’t the first person to say this.
Just in this particular film, it’s ironic because the character speaking it is
shifty.
And no one wants to work with someone they can’t
trust. Whether you’re part of an advertising team, a medical rotation or a
residence hall staff, staff members need to trust each other as do supervisors
and employees. Jennifer Scott shared this interview question (and many more) on
LinkedIn:[4]
“What would you do if you
were given credit for something a co-worker actually did?”
17. Be patient
Each organization and corporation has a specific
procedure for hiring. Some HR departments are completely in charge, or the
departments take the lead and HR makes the offer. Either way – don’t bug the
hiring manager or administrative assistant to death about an answer.
You can ask about the timeline during your
interview and make a note of this. Follow up only if the timeline hasn’t been
met.
This extends to the workplace as well once you get
an offer. The department or team may not be advancing or changing as fast as
you’d expected. You may not be getting promoted as quickly as you’d hoped. Just
hang in there and be patient.
You’re the new guy, remember? Explore your concerns
with your supervisor and ask good questions. Your time will come. I’m sure of it.
Here’s an interview question that was shared on
Glassdoor.com:[5]
“How would you handle
stress in a situation with a customer where you can’t immediately solve the
problem?”
Preparing for a job interview should be taken
seriously, especially if this position is one that excites you and will fulfill
your passion. You’ll definitely have a leg up if you focus on some of these
areas of importance to hiring managers.
Now go out there and ace that job interview.
Reference
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Glassdoor: Patience Interview Questions
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