| When it comes to interviewing, here are the top 5 strategies we’ve found to improve your chances for getting hired: |
| 1. Show how you think. People aren’t really looking for an answer to their question. They’re looking for your thought process. They want to know how you approach a problem and arrive at a conclusion. Hiring managers are interested in your reasoning skills — so the next you get a challenging question, start thinking out loud! 2. Give clues to who you are. Think about hiring a babysitter. Even with a stellar resume, you’d still want to interview the person. Why? Because you don’t trust them yet. You want to get a sense of their values & character. It’s the same in any job interview. People want to know who you are. You can show them by referencing books you’re reading, hobbies you’re exploring, and ideas you’re pondering. Drop little nuggets about yourself that reflect who you are as a person. (see an example) 3. Share your unique cross-section. This is invaluable advice that I first learned from Ramit Sethi. Can you identify the cross-section of skills that make you stand out? For example, an engineer with exceptional communication skills. A financial advisor with a background in human psychology. What is the combination of attributes that separate you from all the other qualified candidates? 4. Tell stories that show your character. Think of times when you helped a team member or served as a mentor. You want to scan your memory for stories that show you in action — moments where you resolved a conflict, navigated a challenging scenarios, or simply went above and beyond what was required. 5. Breathe before every question. Take a breath to settle the mind and scan your brain for ideas. It’s important to show that you’re comfortable pausing. Remember, people who pause are perceived as more confident and thoughtful. Plus, once you start speaking, people will forget about the pause altogether. |
