Interviewing

Introduction

Picture this: a well-dressed individual seated at a desk cluttered with notes and resumes, their fingers dancing nervously over the keyboard as they tirelessly research the company’s history and culture. Beads of perspiration form on their forehead, and a subtle, yet persistent, knot tightens in their stomach.

As the clock ticks down to their impending meeting with destiny, the air is charged with a blend of excitement and trepidation. It’s a moment of profound significance, a juncture where one’s past accomplishments and future aspirations converge in a quest for professional fulfillment and clarity on ‘What next?’.

This nervous anticipation is common. It happens to all of us. Job interviews carry the weight of potential futures, and it’s only natural that we’ll feel anxious. But the best way to calm our nerves is to prepare. Read along to uncover insights, strategies, and resources designed to transform your worry into confidence.

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Tips & Recommendations

Before the Interview:

1. Research the Company: Understand the company’s mission, values, and culture, and familiarize yourself with their products, services, and recent news.
2. Understand the Job Role: Review the job description thoroughly to identify key responsibilities and requirements. Prepare examples of how your skills and experiences align with the role.
3. Know Your Resume: Be ready to discuss your work experience, achievements, and skills.
4. Practice Common Interview Questions: Anticipate questions related to your strengths, weaknesses, achievements, and challenges.
5. Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company culture, team dynamics, and expectations for the role. If you need help coming up with some ideas, you can use our PathWise Questions To Ask in an Interview guide.

During the Interview:

1. Dress Appropriately: Choose professional attire that aligns with the company culture. Dressing one notch above what you would typically wear day-to-day is a good guideline.
2. Arrive Early: Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. If your interview is by video, log in a few minutes early and make sure your camera, microphone, and speaker are all working properly and that your background is appropriate.
3. Body Language: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake. Smile and express enthusiasm and energy to create a positive impression.
4. Active Listening: Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions and respond thoughtfully. Avoid interrupting and ask for clarification if needed.
5. Showcase Your Achievements: Provide specific examples of your accomplishments and how they benefited previous employers.
6. Address Potential Concerns: Be ready to discuss any gaps in your resume or potential weaknesses. Turn negative situations into positive learning experiences.

After the Interview:

1. Follow Up: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. Reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention key points from the interview. If you need more guidance, you can use our PathWise follow-up template.
2. Reflect and Learn: Evaluate the interview experience and identify areas for improvement. Use any feedback provided to enhance your preparation for future interviews.

Remember, thorough preparation, confidence, and a positive attitude can significantly contribute to a successful job interview. If you’d like to learn more, we have a comprehensive guide to preparing for your interview. We also have a cheat sheet to help you remember those steps.

What Not To Do

Avoiding certain behaviors during a job interview is just as important as showcasing your qualifications and skills. Ultimately, the goal is to present yourself as a professional, capable candidate who is a good fit for the company. Be mindful of your behavior, stay focused on the interview, and demonstrate your qualifications and interest in the role.

Here are some things you should not do during a job interview:

1. Arriving Late: Punctuality is crucial. Arriving late can create a negative first impression.
2. Talking Too Much: Avoid rambling or overloading the interviewer with unnecessary details. Be concise and to the point.
3. Taking control of the interview. Don’t try to lead the interview, such as by asking questions right at the start. Let the interviewer take the lead and bring in your questions as the discussion flows. You’ll likely also get a chance to ask your questions toward the end of the interview.
4. Interrupting: Let the interviewer finish their questions before responding. Interrupting can be perceived as impolite.
5. Using Inappropriate Language: Maintain a professional tone and avoid using slang, offensive language, or inappropriate jokes.
6. Critiquing Previous Employers: Refrain from speaking negatively about previous employers or colleagues. Focus on positive experiences and what you’ve learned.
7. Checking Your Phone: Keep your phone on silent or vibrate mode during the interview. Checking your phone will almost certainly get you rejected.
8. Bringing Up Salary Too Early: Avoid discussing salary and benefits until the employer brings it up or until the later stages of the interview process. You should be prepared to state your salary expectations, and be honest about what you’re seeking. Note that, increasingly, it is illegal for a potential employer to ask you about your current salary.
9. Being Overconfident or Arrogant: Confidence is good, but arrogance is not. Ensure you come across as confident yet humble.
10. Feeling Compelled to Answer Impermissible Questions, such as if you are married, have children, are pregnant. If asked these questions, politely steer the conversation back to topics relevant to the position being filled.
11. Talking About Personal Issues: Keep the conversation focused on your professional experiences and qualifications. Avoid discussing personal challenges or unrelated topics unless they are relevant to how you would need to work.
12. Bringing Up Controversial Topics: Avoid discussing sensitive or controversial topics such as politics or religion unless directly related to the job and necessary for discussion.

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Key Frameworks

Several frameworks can help you structure responses effectively during interviews. From the list below, you can choose the framework that aligns best with the type of questions you expect in your job interview and adapt them to suit your experiences and the specific context of the role. Practice using these models with common interview questions to enhance your ability to articulate your thoughts in a structured manner.

Here are some popular frameworks:

1. SOAR Method (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result): particularly effective for addressing challenges and obstacles you’ve encountered in the workplace.
   1. Situation: Provide context for the situation.
   2. Obstacle: Highlight the specific obstacle or challenge.
   3. Action: Describe the actions you took to overcome the obstacle.
   4. Result: Share the positive results or outcomes.

2. PEAK Method: useful for answering questions that require you to showcase your skills and experiences.
   1. 1. Point: Make your key point.
      2. Example: Provide a relevant example or anecdote.
      3. Analysis: Analyze the example, highlighting your skills and contributions.
      4. Knowledge: Share the knowledge or lessons learned.

    

3. The IDEAL Model: often used for problem-solving and decision-making questions, and thus has similarities to SOAR.
   1. 1. Identify: Identify the problem or challenge.
      2. Define: Define the specifics of the situation.
      3. Explore: Explore potential solutions or actions.
      4. Act: Take action based on your exploration.
      5. Look back: Reflect on the results and lessons learned.

    

4. The PPF Model (Problem, Possibilities, and Fit): useful for questions that require creative problem-solving and critical thinking, like “How would you approach XYZ situation or challenge?”
   1. Problem: Identify the problem or challenge.
   2. Possibilities: Discuss various possibilities or solutions.
   3. Fit: Explain why a particular solution fits best in the given context.

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Conclusion

It’s only natural to feel nervous about a job interview. However. preparation is the cornerstone of success. you can confidently navigate the interview process by taking the time to research the company, understand the role, and practice your responses using frameworks like SOAR and PPF. Embrace a positive mindset, showcase your unique strengths, and learn from each interview experience. The journey to career advancement is often paved with the lessons gained from thoughtful preparation and genuine self-presentation. Armed with these strategies, go forth and conquer your interviews, knowing that each interaction is an opportunity to shine and showcase your potential to future employers.

Other Resources

1. PathWise: How-To Prepare for an Interview
   https://pathwise.io/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview-14-comprehensive-tips-to-get-you-ready/
2. PathWise: Interview Prep Cheat Sheet
   https://pathwise.io/member-resources/our-library/
3. PathWise: Questions to Ask in an Interview
   https://pathwise.io/member-resources/our-library/
4. Indeed: How to make a great impression
   https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/job-interview-tips-how-to-make-a-great-impression
5. HBR: 10 Common Interview Questions and How To Answer Them
   https://hbr.org/2021/11/10-common-job-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them
6. LinkedIn: 6 Interview Skills that Will Get You Hired
   https://www.linkedin.com/business/learning/blog/job-seeking-tips/6-interview-skills-that-will-get-you-hired-2023