Woman Gives All Kinds Of Tips And Tricks For Job Interviews That You Might Find Helpful If You’re Looking For A Job
People say to not quit a bad job until you have secured a new one, but as anyone who has ever touched the job market knows, this means applying, where, if you are lucky, you might get an interview. Then comes the next challenge of sitting down and being evaluated face to face and hoping they like you.
The nerves and pressure of the circumstances make a lot of people jittery, so TikToker and career advisor Julia Haber put together a collection of common mistakes people make and some tips and tricks for interviews. So read through, upvote your favorites, and comment your thoughts below.
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People will decide if they wanna hire you in the first 2 minutes of your conversation. They wanna know these things about you:
1. Are you normal and can you hold a conversation
2. Do you actually want this job
3. Are you giving me the confidence to believe that you can actually do the job
Talking in a professional setting can be nerve-wracking, but interviews come with a number of pitfalls that ultimately make all of us somewhat nervous. You don’t want to lie, but the goal of the conversation is mostly to convince another party to give you something you want. You often have no idea who you are competing against, so you may want to pull out all the stops, but most of us mentally can’t think this quickly.
The result is stress, which can impact interview performance, making a person self-conscious, which then is its own cycle of despair. If you suffer from nerves when interviewing, it’s best to set limited goals so you don’t spiral when less realistic goals don’t happen. Focus on being professional above all else, as skills can be taught, but a mindset is harder.
Do not talk badly about a previous company or an employer
This one is very important IMO. Think it by all means, just don't say it the way you want to and phrase it as neutrally and factually as you can.
This is the interview question that most people get wrong. What would be your dream job if this role wasn't on the table? This is your opportunity to say I want to open a restaurant, join NASA. Cookie cutter answers are boring and showcasing your passions is one great way to stand out as candidate.
Other people, deathly afraid of awkward silences, might start to overshare, in an attempt to keep the conversation going or forge a relationship very quickly. Human communication wasn’t developed for HR interviews quickly, after all. Oversharing is a pretty common human reaction to various situations. Maybe we want the interlocutor to feel better or we are nervous and want to distract ourselves.
In an interview setting, it’s potentially better to overshare than under share, but only if you don’t delve into the wrong topics. Discussing politics or religion during a job interview is probably not the greatest idea, nor is sharing some embarrassing personal stories, which, at best, will make you seem a bit unprofessional.
When interviewer says "so tell me about yourself", don't babble for 5 minutes, don't tell a story - share only relevant information
I told my neurodivergent daughter that this question will pop up, stay focused on the job and business you're applying to. Pick 2 things: 1 about your personality and 1 about your skills. For ex. If applying to Home Hardware or Canadian Tire: "I love to help people feel good about themselves by hearing them out and offering a solution when they ask. I, also, enjoy growing house plants and researching how to care for different varieties." Then, if the employer is interested, let them ask further questions. As uncomfortable as it can be for an over-explainer, just make it short, sweet and to the point while being yourself.
Do not forget to ask the employer questions. These are few good questions to ask:
1. What opportunities are there for training or progression?
2. What is something I cant learn about the company online?
3. What is one thing you would change about the company if you could?
1. No 2. We keep those as secrets otherwise we would be bankrupt. 3. Fire everyone and start over.
Don't curse or say slang words or any Gen Z words they may not understand
If all this is stressing you out, you aren’t alone. While the prospect of interviewing keeps many people tied to the same job, more and more people are starting to realize that a toxic work environment is not good for them. US statistics show that up to 36% of workers have or plan to quit a job without lining up another one, even though only 22% actually feel confident in finding alternative employment.
This last statistic is telling, as many of us will work multiple jobs throughout our lives, but the vast majority of people still struggle with the fear of not being able to find another job. Interestingly, a bad manager is such a toxic factor, that it “helps” around 60% of people who quit “take the plunge” and just leave. So asking about management seems like a good thing to look out for when interviewing, even though they will probably never give you an honest answer.
Be prepared to give an answer to the question "What would be the number one reason why you wouldn't take the role?" It gives a look into your mind and gives a sense of your risk appetite and your biggest fears
Structure your thoughts before you talk.
For some that takes a bit longer than others. From experience, every successful interview I've had the more I allowed myself to pace myself and think about how to answer the better I was able to answer the questions and more articulate I sounded. Even though it felt like I took way too long coming up with an answer it didn't actually take me long. (I realized that when I was recording videos.) That's actually not a bad idea. Have someone ask you interview questions and record yourself, look back at the video and you'll see yourself in the perspective of the employer.
Tell exactly what you want from the role.
"I've honed my skilled in (x) field and I'm looking to get involved in [type of business because) and I know I can add value to the team"
I've honed my skill in X field, and I'm looking for an opportunity to employ those skills where they will be valued and compensated.
Share one personal anecdote that gives a look into your personality. Like "I've always learned non-conventionally, so I'm always willing to try and try until I get it right"
Oh, what a wrong answer. Employers want conventional from employees otherwise you are a threat.
Take language from the job description and specifically use it in relation to another job that you've had. "learned I was meant to A work in (industry) with (role) Al during my time at (company)"
Send a pre-interview thank you note. The job of this note is to set the tone of the conversation.
Come on, people. A "pre interview " note? That ends up in the round file by the office manager (she reads all mail before it gets to the recipient) before anyone sees it. Oh, and after interview messages too.
Tips for interviewers (25 years exp hiring): BEFORE INTERVIEW 1. check references. 2. tell the applicant all about salary, working hours, benefits, etc., and whether or not those are negotiable. DURING INTERVIEW 3. Put people at their ease. Smile. Be relaxed. Be friendly. There's no reason to make this more difficult than it already is. 4. Tell them about the work, what's expected, and run them through a few "What would you do" scenarios. 5. Tell the applicant about the company and what kind of place it is. If you're the boss, tell them your management style. AFTER 6. send a note to the applicant thanking them for the interview. Give a time frame for choosing an applicant. 7. Inform ALL applicants if they were chosen or not chosen. Thank them for their time. X: Do not ask "silly" interview questions. They're a waste of time.
Please either be a consultant or teach classes in good hiring practices. I’m old enough to remember hiring managers just like you, and getting a job back then was never as stressful as it is now, with all the idiotic psychological trick questions, and teams of several interviewers ganging up on prospective employees, asking those stupid questions from every direction, so the poor interviewee doesn’t know who the f**k to answer or even look at. One experienced interviewer to one interviewee is really all that’s necessary, ffs.
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If you really want to minimize interview stress: WITHOUT being arrogant, remember you are there by invitation, you’ve been chosen to have this conversation. You have skills, experience & knowledge this company needs; if they didn’t they wouldn’t be hiring for the role. Even if it’s your 1st interview for your 1st job, you are not a blank slate, so the comment is STILL TRUE. They aren’t doing you a favour; they are looking to exchange money and (hopefully) benefits for the value this role can provide them. An interview is not a one-way street where they get to decide if you are good enough. Even if you are desperate for the job for simple survival, you still have the right to judge them back! Do it! Don’t say it out loud but when you take the power to think “I’m not the only one being judged here, I’m also deciding if I want to work for you” it can help.
Is there any greater nightmare than job interviewing? The worst is when you know they have to weed out 100 applicants for that one opening - and you can feel yourself getting weedwhacked
My mom would tell me "You have an advantage over a lot of people who are applying but are not good for the role. You've never been arrested nor gone to jail. You don't have any addictions. You don't have tattoos or any unnatural hair colour. You dress professionally and you've graduated high school." Now, I do realize she's a very judgy person, and that's my point. All of what she's stated is not an indicator you can't be employed. Everyone is in competition with you.
Load More Replies...
Tips for interviewers (25 years exp hiring): BEFORE INTERVIEW 1. check references. 2. tell the applicant all about salary, working hours, benefits, etc., and whether or not those are negotiable. DURING INTERVIEW 3. Put people at their ease. Smile. Be relaxed. Be friendly. There's no reason to make this more difficult than it already is. 4. Tell them about the work, what's expected, and run them through a few "What would you do" scenarios. 5. Tell the applicant about the company and what kind of place it is. If you're the boss, tell them your management style. AFTER 6. send a note to the applicant thanking them for the interview. Give a time frame for choosing an applicant. 7. Inform ALL applicants if they were chosen or not chosen. Thank them for their time. X: Do not ask "silly" interview questions. They're a waste of time.
Please either be a consultant or teach classes in good hiring practices. I’m old enough to remember hiring managers just like you, and getting a job back then was never as stressful as it is now, with all the idiotic psychological trick questions, and teams of several interviewers ganging up on prospective employees, asking those stupid questions from every direction, so the poor interviewee doesn’t know who the f**k to answer or even look at. One experienced interviewer to one interviewee is really all that’s necessary, ffs.
Load More Replies... If you really want to minimize interview stress: WITHOUT being arrogant, remember you are there by invitation, you’ve been chosen to have this conversation. You have skills, experience & knowledge this company needs; if they didn’t they wouldn’t be hiring for the role. Even if it’s your 1st interview for your 1st job, you are not a blank slate, so the comment is STILL TRUE. They aren’t doing you a favour; they are looking to exchange money and (hopefully) benefits for the value this role can provide them. An interview is not a one-way street where they get to decide if you are good enough. Even if you are desperate for the job for simple survival, you still have the right to judge them back! Do it! Don’t say it out loud but when you take the power to think “I’m not the only one being judged here, I’m also deciding if I want to work for you” it can help.
Is there any greater nightmare than job interviewing? The worst is when you know they have to weed out 100 applicants for that one opening - and you can feel yourself getting weedwhacked
My mom would tell me "You have an advantage over a lot of people who are applying but are not good for the role. You've never been arrested nor gone to jail. You don't have any addictions. You don't have tattoos or any unnatural hair colour. You dress professionally and you've graduated high school." Now, I do realize she's a very judgy person, and that's my point. All of what she's stated is not an indicator you can't be employed. Everyone is in competition with you.
Load More Replies...