20 Tips to Ace Any Job Interview!
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Job interview questions and answers! Interview tips! PHONE interview tips! This week's video is all about preparing for a job interview so you'll know how to answer the questions and get the job.
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Co-written and co-hosted by:
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Co-written, co-hosted, directed, and edited by:
T. Michael (Mike) Martin
/ tmikemartin
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Summary: (for my own benefit)
1) Be dressed nicely all the time, check out the company attire and take it a half step up
2) Look over resume and list of major projects before interview
3) Prep answer to common questions (1:01)
4) "a time when you.." - situation, task, action and results.
5) Ask your own questions. You can ask when they will make the decision.
6) Smile
7) Take 5 minutes and make power stances
8) Turn off phone during interview
9) Be sure to smile
10) Its okay to be nervous
11) If you dont know something, admit it with grace and humor. Its about how you answer.
12 ) Pause and say "let me think about that." when you can
13) STAY ON TOPIC
After the interview : say you are excited about the possibility of working/studying there. Get business cards from the interviewer if possible, and send them a thank you card/email within 24hours of the interview. Use it to reiterate your interest and touch on topics that you discussed. If you didn't get the job, ask how you can improve the future.
you are a sauce. So spread yourself on that bread.
Also worth noting: *find out as much as you can about the company before the interview!* If the interviewer asks questions like "What do you think about our product?" or "What do you think that we could be doing better?" or "What could you bring to our company?", these are fantastic questions to have answers to.
If you haven't researched the company - it's going to be obvious, and no employer wants to throw a job offer at someone who just wants a paycheck.
A++++++
- Mike
Definitely! Part of how I got my first job out of college (which has continued to reoccur every summer) was by having looked up everything I could about the company. I would also recommend a computer or some access to the internet with you when doing a phone interview so you can be in their website while talking with them. I remember that being very helpful and even calming when interviewing for my job with the Opera. It's helpful for jobs in the theatre world because you have immediate access to their season in front of you without having to scramble in your brain thinking about it.
mehtalks Definitely agree! Forgot about this - whenever I have a phone interview, I have a bunch of browser tabs open - my resume, my work profile, anything I've done relevant to the job, the company's page, the interviewer's linkedin...having the info available, even if you don't use it, can be extremely comforting.
Yeah, I learned this the hard way my very first interview... My aunt told me to go interview for this job that I really knew nothing about, and I could tell when they decided to tell me about the job that I'd messed up by not finding out what I was applying for. And yes, yes, I did learn my lesson from that one.
I must say I am very impressed.
Social anxiety is a killer when it comes to job interviews.
FUUUUUUCK. tooootally, i hate it
OMG YESS
Remain positive. I once got a job I was severely under qualified for, because the person interviewing me loved that I seemed positive, respectful and energetic. The positivity was what she touched on the most.
Learning to be fake in an interview is such hard work.
right? Why is being honest and saying I just need some cash to put food on the table looked at as a bad thing but when a liar says Im very interested bla bla bla its looked at as professional?
right? Why is being honest and saying I just need some cash to put food on the table looked at as a bad thing but when a liar says Im very interested bla bla bla its looked at as professional?
+Jeremy Franklin Whitfield the CVNT that's the real shit right there, If you want to be part of the industry you have to eat your own shit.
THIS IS PERFECT!!!! My interview's tomorrow and I'm prepping. Also, How To Adult's first video was uploaded on my 18th birthday…so you guys really are teaching me how to adult. Thank you so much!!!!
Best of luck! Emma and I will be pulling for ya! :D
- Mike
When asked about previous jobs, do everything you can to avoid speaking bad about the job and/or the management. It is a rare hiring manager who is not going to hear "My last boss was a bitch" type comments and take it to mean YOU are hard to manage. Try softer "The management style didn't allow me to do my best" like euphemisms, even though we all know the last manager really was, indeed, a big ol' b-word.
Great advice! I'll have to pass this along to a friend who's currently doing the interview thing.
Side note, I have an idea for a vid but it's kind of a depressing topic but one I think needs to be discussed. How do you get someone's affairs in order after they pass away? (IE: what paperwork do you need? what information do you need to know? will you have to file taxes for them? etc.)
I'm 28 and still learning how to adult, my father passes away last year and as the only child of a single father I had to do everything. I stumbled through with the help of a friend's mother but I think it could be helpful if someone else in the wide world has to do it.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Luna.
I think that's a great idea for a video. It's such a tough topic (in many ways), but it's so very important. Thank you very much for your suggestion (and kind words).
- Mike
I need more life experience because making a resumé literally would be a waste of time for me. The only thing I could put on it would be "graduated high school.. in 2010" because I've literally done nothing with my life. Damn social anxiety.
First of all, congrats on graduating high school - it's pretty tough. I can imagine you'd have a lot of skills to add to your CV including:
-excellent time management (you had to take more than one class at once right?)
-leadership abilities/ability to work well in a team environment (you had to work in a group at some point?)
-proven ability to 'think on the spot' (did you pass any pop or surprise quiz's?)
rosey0angel I can't tell if you're being serious or not.
***** I would suggest rosey0angel is being serious. Most of the time when you write things for your CV it might not be the most glaringly obvious skill in the world to you, but if you think a little outside the box, and can come up with good examples of that sort of thing, then they're perfectly valid skills to add.
In one interview, I used examples of things I did in primary/elementary school. I just didn't particularly specify what school period I did it in.
Sky Fletcher
Well, it's just that I don't think any of the examples given fit the skills mentioned for them. For example, passing a pop quiz is so minimally impressive (rather, it's more or less the minimum for being a student)... I wouldn't ever qualify it with something important like "a proven ability to think on the spot". No, no, you need extraordinary (literally, more impressive than the ordinary) examples to show that it's an actual skill of yours and not you just not failing at being a somewhat functional human. If some sort of serious event occurs that requires you to improvise to avoid a very bad result or for you to get a very good result on something actually impressive, and you rise to the occasion, that would be an example of thinking on the spot. None of this dressing up the unimpressive to make you seem bigger than you are. To me that smacks of deceit and a lack of perspective, and perhaps arrogance.
***** I was being serious, though reading over the post it could have come off otherwise. I took the OP to suggest that he/she has finished high school and does not have any work experience. My suggestions might be 'dressing up the unimpressive', but like Skye Fletcher said, it is thinking outside of the box for someone who doesn't have any "work-related skills". I would also like to add that I've only heard about pop quiz's from American movies/TV shows and I'm not 100% on what they require.
As for the other skills I mentioned, I would wager that it be worth for someone with no work experience to put something on their CV rather than just when they graduated.
"What is your greatest weakness?"
"Kryptonite."
I was about to say "KrO2", but although I know various oxides of xenon exists, I couldn't find reliable info on any oxides of krypton other than KrO, which would probably be hypokryptonite.
Lovely, got a big interview coming up tomorrow and while I already knew some of this it's nice to be reminded and have a plan beforehand.
Awesome! Hope it goes well! :D
- Mike
Thank you so much for putting up this video! I've applied to several places for a summer job and I'm currently waiting for them to get back to me. Gotta be prepared for those interviews!
LOVED that Sherlock reference! Just discovered your channel, keep up the great videos and you earned yourself a sub! Cheers :)
a great video reminder to prep me for a hopeful interview I might have soon (fingers crossed!)
As someone who has interviewed others, I would also suggest the following: have a few questions prepared for the interviewers going in whether that be what their timeline is, details about the job or how you did. Have a pad of paper (in a portfolio preferably) with a black pen (it's not distracting is the reasoning I've heard) to take notes and prepare a little cheat sheet that contains all your answers to the common questions (like "what are you strengths/weaknesses" and "tell us about yourself.") I've found those little details help me keep calm and also really look good during the interview process.
I work in an office (in Germany) and my boss usually leaves the interviewees with me and later asks what I thought of them. A lot of young people just completely shut down, avoid eye contact and don't say a thing. It never leaves a very good impression. If you cannot think of any questions to ask just talk about yourself, why you're interested in the job and what skils you have that might be useful in the job. And be polite. Eye contact and shaking hands (or whatever is common in your country) is so important.
I have my first interview on Wednesday! Thank you for the awesome advice!
I caught both this video and the one on building a resume right before submitting my documents for a position. Needless to say, both videos were VERY helpful. I just finished an interview process that consisted of five separate interviews (three via the phone, two in person)--and having this advice helped me through all five. And now, I have a new job! Thank you!
The timing of these are crazy. We has a resume workshop at work last week and this week I'm going to one about interviews.
From someone who has conducted innumerable interviews for high profile jobs, I've heard 1) to speak at the same speed as the interviewer (generally more slowly than you would think) even if the interview is only 10 minutes and you have a lot to say. Speaking slowly makes the interviewer more likely to like you, even if you can't cram in the 100 million things you've done since birth. And, 2) to keep your résumé concise to highlight the most impressive aspects of your career thus far and carry a copy with you. I also keep with me a list of books I've read recently and I look it over just before walking in, so I don't flounder if I'm asked about my leisure reading.
The most important question is actually when the interviewer asks you do you have any questions. You simply say, yes I have just one. What is your greatest need? They will usually pause and may say come again or what do you mean. You then say, what is your greatest need, because it's been my experience that every company has one and I want to meet the greatest need you have here at this company. I am more than willing to start at the bottom and work my way to get to where I want to be.
This is my own personal advice from someone who has used this question to get many job offers, also as a small business owner who has done countless interviews. Trust the person doing the interview will choose you over the other candidates every time, because all the resumes are pretty much the same, so it's the person who can help the boss out the most and take some of the load off their plate who will more than likely get the job in the end. Just be ready and willing to live up to your end of the bargain when you land your next job!
Too much to remember, I'll just wing it.
You're hired!
Same
Probably what I'll do too
take notes
Crushed that like button after the beautiful example of how to use the STAR method
Seriously lol well put together
Great video! I am watching this after putting in two weeks notice at a job I hate because I got hired at a job I am very excited about! I used a LOT of the techniques you talked about in this video and I am proof that they work! I would also add that you should bring copies of your resume/cover letter/references just in case and do as much research as you can about the company! Literally the first question they asked in my interview for this job was "So, tell us what you know about [company]."
Thank you so much! I have my first formal interview tomorrow and these videos make such a seemingly overwhelming task a bit more attainable.
You guys are the awesomest of sauces. Thank you for reminding me of that and for such a great video!
Thank you for watching, Tessa! :]
- Mike
Some great advice! I may just have to show this to my students who are getting hectic about applying for summer jobs! Thanks guys!
Our pleasure! (And thank you so much for the lovely compliment!)
- Mike
Figure out what questions you want to ask your interviewer beforehand, so you don't blankly say, "Uh, not really" when they ask if you have any. I googled questions to ask and picked my favorites. Also, girls, put your hair up. It gives the impression that you're ready to work. Don't complain about your previous employer. Be as nice as possible. I got the interview for the job I have now because even though I didn't have experience, they thought I was SO friendly that they wanted to give me a shot. Nice people want to work with nice people.
Ever since this video was published, I always watch this video right before I have an interview (and I've gotten every position I've interviewed for since!!!)
Loving how convenient it is that the videos on interviews and resumes are coming at a time when I am just starting to look for work. :)
I have a job interview on Thursday so I'm really glad that I've seen this video now! It's a group activity interview which I've never done before. Hopefully it goes well though.
Back in high school I interviewed at a nearby Papa Murphy's twice and didn't get the job. A few years later my sister applied and interviewed at the same Papa Murphy's and the manager recognized the last name. He remembered interviewing me and hired my sister.
But in all seriousness, then the interviewer asks if you have any questions, ask what they least enjoy about working there. You can use that as a springboard on how you have experience in that situation or how well you can handle yourself in the situation.
I have an important job interview this Friday. This video came out just in time for me...
GOOD LUCK! :D
- Mike
I never felt that I was good at job interviews, but after an interview, I would always get back into my car and quickly write down any questions I was asked before I forgot them. Chances are, many of those questions will be common interview questions that will be asked at other interviews, and you can write out your responses so you are better prepared at other interviews.
I love the little talks you guys have with each other at the end of your videos :)
Also, bring a notepad or legal pad and take notes during the interview. It shows your engaged, can help you with generating follow up questions at the end, and is also useful when writing your thank you note, to remember things you discussed.
Thank you! This is really useful because I'm trying to get my first summer job right now.
Currently prepping for a phone interview in an hour. This was very helpful!
I have a question: Now that a lot of job applications are online and we don't give them to the manager in person, is it still expected/acceptable to contact the company and ask about it a week or two afterwards?
I've already watched this twice (and shared its existence with friends because Sherlock), and will probably be watching it again tomorrow before I go for an interview.
It's an odd situation for me, since I already work there (and have for 10 years, I got on payroll at 16) and my box office boss was the one that expressed her interest in hiring me for a full-time position that's opening. But I had to pass an accounting test as part of the weeding-out of applicants (I got 2nd-highest after shoving an entire course into my brain in 3 weeks), and now I need to do an interview tomorrow with two of the board members, both of whom I've met. Boss-lady has basically told me that their reservations are about my not having been a bookkeeper/accountant before and potentially finding out how I cheated on that test (I didn't), any other questions they may have for me are a mystery to her.
Basically, in the actual office the cards are stacked so far my way we're playing with multiple decks, but in the interview I'm a Jenga tower right before the bottom gives out. (mixed gaming metaphors FTW!) And I've never been good at selling myself in that kind of situation, I'm much better at letting my actions speak for themselves.
You guys should do a video about How to choose where to live\study. Both choosing an Apartment and choosing a college\city or STRESSFUL and SCARY and ADULT and please help me.
Thank you for this! Its really helpful. Especially the last message.
I literally just got home from my first job interview! I even double checked last night to see if you guys had done a video on this topic yet! Your timing is impeccable haha! Definitely some very good tips and reminders in here that could have been helpful. I think I nailed the interview though, but we'll see and I'll let you know if I got it. The sadistic me sort of wants me not to get the job so I can try to make you feel bad. Haha I'm terrible!
Great video! I love the introduction specially! Thank you guys! :)
This is very useful - hopefully I will be referring to it in the near future! However, I've only done a phone interview before, and one of my biggest worries is how to give a good handshake. It's be really helpful if you did a little video on this!
***** Thank you! I'll try those next time.
Hey nice Anthro shirt! Ever since I spent a few years working retail I have the worlds most useless super power, knowing whenever someone is wearing something from my store due to every item being seared into my brain. That top is a great cut for you.
This is probably weird advice, and certainly isn't a good idea for everyone, but something that helps me is thinking about reasons I _don't_ want the particular job I'm about to interview for. No job is perfect, so I think about the negatives. (Note: I only do this _after_ I've thoroughly prepared for the interview.) That way, I can look at the interview as an experience in itself rather than a means to an end; as practice for future interviews rather than potentially the gateway to the ultimate career. It helps take the pressure off and I'm able to relax and perform better in the interview. If I'm thinking about how great the job is and how much I want it, I tend to be more tense and self-critical.
You might want to specify a suit jacket/something dressy, don't show up n a leather jacket with spikes or a hoody jacket with coffee stains.
yeah but the way they used jacket in the vid you could tell what they meant.
I think a nice cardigan is a safe bet for most non-office jobs personally
this is supposed to be to teach young people who don't know better at 17 i really underdressed for interviews because i didn't know better and my parents didn't help me. now at almost 30 i know better but this vid isn't for people like me it's for kids who don't know
the timing of this is perfect
Tip for the "do you have any questions" section, ask "what are you looking for?" or "What makes this place worth working for?" or "why did you start this business/start working here"
these kinds of questions are good for two reasons one: its important to remember you are not the only one on trial here, and you want to ask them questions to know that this place is a good fit for you!
two: An employer is going to recognize that you have a idea of a place you want to work for, that it is more to you than just getting the pay check
You guys are great! So funny and good information at the same time.
thanks for the advice on the 20 tips for my next interveiw.
Man so glad I saw this by chance; all the other job interview vids I watched were boring but I was in need of something to teach me how to score an interview....and I can say for a fact I REGRET NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTHIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if power poses wasn't in this i would have pointed it out. V comprehensive! I just took a course on occupational psychological and another thing i should point out (for girls) is not wear too much makeup, it makes you look like you're more likely to be late and less productive (by all means wear as much as you like once you're hired, the same perceptions will still apply but then you just sue their misogynistic asses.) This turned into more of a ranty feminist post than i intended. Oops.
WOW, I never would have thought about how people might misread a female wearing "too much makeup" in that way. Thanks so much for the valuable input, Rebecca!
Another thing, kinda in that same vein (though this applies to gals AND guys): Don't wear perfume and/or cologne. What a terrible thing it would be to blow a job interview just because the interviewer didn't like the scent you chose (or was actually allergic to it)!
- Mike
Something I heard about being an interviewer but I think applies here is to thank them for their time, after all everyone thinks their time is valuable.
Very true. This could also make a great addition to a follow-up email/note, too, I think.
Thanks for the comment!
- Mike
I have my first 'adult person with a degree' job interview today. I'm so nervous, this is the 4th time I've watched this video!
I'm applying for my first ever job, I have my first ever job interview tomorrow and I'm really scared. I'm a teenager in high school and I need advice for this😂 the videos I'm watching r for adults and they don't sound like something a teen would do.
thank you very much sis... ur suggesions are really inspiring from my point...day after tomorrow i have an interview in BANGLADESH NAVY... thanks :) #loveit
gna use these suggestions for my job interview this sunday.ill post how it goes but hopefully i get it :)
When you gave the STAR example i was yessss sherlock
Psychic! I have an interview tomorrow. Thank you for reminding me to print out my resume.
You're welcome! Speaking of psychic powers, next week's video will be called "How to Pick the Winning Powerball Numbaz."
(Just kidding, it'll probably be about job promotions 'n' stuff. :] )
Good luck with your interview!
- Mike
Won't be on time for me anymore, but could you do a video on how to handle a second interview? I've had an interview last week and have been invited back for another, but for that one I know even less of what to expect!
4:30 Theater's fault. You went where you were told.
THE GRACE AND HUMOR HARTBIG PHOTO THO
First job interview tomorrow, so nervous😩
***** It actually wasn't that bad, don't worry about it. Good luck! (:
As someone who volunteered at a Renaissance Faire, I feel that it's a perfectly valid interview topic!
-J
I hope I get a call back!
Had my interview yesterday :)
Wish me luck!
my management teacher always told us that when they ask about your weakness you should answer with something you can't do, like: I am really bad at playing the piano. or I can't cook. Something that has absolutely nothing to do with the actual job :)
I wouldn't do that. I think that would come off like you're mocking them or dodging the question.
So I went on two interviews and I got the job! Now I have a bigger questions: What do I wear?! What does business attire mean? I need to look professional at a theatre where everyone is already dressed up, but I don't have much money to invest in my wardrobe.
For anyone with previous experience, what should I wear to a job shadowing (for a possible position) at a veterinary clinic (would probably parallel to shadowing at a hospital)? I'm not sure if I should dress up, or wear something less formal and more nurse-like since I have no idea if I'll be helping out that day or just observing.
Got through this stage (woo!), will there be one on starting a new job? That's what I'm nervous about now :3
These are great! Thank you!
I don't know about not being there more than 15 min early. I had an interview Tuesday at 1:30. Got there at 1:10... I asked if I could use the bathroom. The receptionist showed me where it was. I got out about 5 min later. They THEN asked me to fill out an application. I didn't see the manager until like 1:40 or 1:45.. I don't know how much they take that into account that I didn't finish my application before the interview was supposed to be.
You are the awesomest of sauces. New favorite compliment.
Thanks, guys!!! Love this channel!!!
So glad to hear it! Thanks for letting us know! :]
- Mike
Thumbs up for the Sherlock reference!
During my first interview, I was asked "What's one good deed you've done this week?" I drew a complete blank, and after 45 seconds of spluttering (during which the interviewer said "seriously you can't think of a single thing?"), I blurted out "I, uh, helped an old lady cross the street!". Needless to say, I didn't get the job.
I have my first job interview ever in 4 hours for my local grocery store. The attire there is pretty casual (polos and khakis); should I still dress up somewhat fancy? Like a skirt or moderately nice sundress? Or slacks? Thanks guys, this was quite helpful. :)
I’m feeling kind of sad because I’m about to graduate from university and I haven’t been able to get even an unpaid internship. I’m not good at interviewing but I’ve been working on it.
SUPERWHOFFLEPUFF- is that Supernatural, Dr Who, and HufflePuff combined? Because if it is, I think you're my spirit animal. JS
Tip #21: Don't take tips from people who have been to *many* job interviews..
Why? (Serious question. I'm curious to hear your reasoning.)
Sophie Trite i think they're implying that if you've been to a lot, its because you haven't been hired by any and, therefore, aren't qualified to give advice
***** Okay. I guess I understand that reasoning, though I don't necessarily think it's true. A bad interview isn't the only reason people don't get hired. I mean, the job market seems so finicky these days that it seems to you could be a fine candidate and have a good interview, but there was just a perfect candidate, so you still wouldn't get hired.
true dat
Sophie Trite Many job interviews = many failed job interviews. And if the interviews didn't get you hired, how do you know what tactics can help people with job interviews if neither one works (resonably well)?
thank you!!!
ps. gotta love that 1:42 "yeah!"
Episode 9 of Teen Girl Squad:
"What's her face
Ate staple sauce
A heaping bowl of staple sauce
that crazy learners-permit-girl
Gave me a ride to Babages."
**but in sing-song form**
What?! They don't got no turbografx games?!
Job Interview day after tomorrow.. so thanks. ^^
You're welcome.
- Mike
did you get the job?
thank you.
sorry to comment so late...thank you for your tips,,,was very helpful
thanks
This literally came out less than an hour after my first interview ever. Thanks anyway.
Love the Sherlock reference!!!
I have one in an hour- wish me luck!
Did u get the job?
2 job interviews tomorrow. So nervous > . < but thanks so much for this!
Nicely done
A bit off topic, but is that a Billy Joel T-shirt at the end? :D
"Take it a half step up." Ooooohhhh, THAT'S why it's called looking sharp.
1- Drink a lot of alcohol
So rude hahahaha
There was an ad by UA-cam promoting UA-cam ads. . .
Loved the Sherlock reference :)
I have an interview on Friday to be a waitress at a restaurant where I live, and I don't know what to wear!! Would a black skirt and blue denim-ish shirt be suitable? I'm only 17...
A nice shirt and slacks would be more appropriate.
Bottom line, just dress nice. Clean and tidy, if not conservative.
bluemoonicecream22 If it's like a chambray shirt it should be fine for a informal dining waitress position - if it is a formal restaurant…maybe throw on a blazer. I'm interviewing for something similar tomorrow! Good luck Tess!!! :)
I'm currently watching Sherlock. There was really no need to spoil a major plot in the show for this.
this is a great channel but sometimes it seems like you're trying suuuuuper hard to appeal to a certain 'nerdy' demographic. be chill guys. what you're saying is so good, it doesn't need to be packaged in sherlock references
Not sure how active this video is but I'll post this anyway.
I may have a interview coming up soon for a stocker at petsmart. Now in HS we practiced interviews with real company interviewers. According to them I did really well but this was 2 years ago and my only job prior to this was at Panda Express. Not sure if I was hired due to the impression I left on the manager or because my buddy put in a good word for me. My Question is how difficult would this be for a minimum wage job like this?
for a minimum wage job having had a previous job is good enough as long as you don't come across crazy you shouldn't have any trouble just be confident but not arrogant. Good luck!