Ace Your Interview & Get Your Questions Answered
Editor’s note: this is Part 2 in our series with our partner, Makers, “Build Confidence and Take Control of your Job Search Series.”
Ok, so you completed the job search steps successfully and landed an interview. Now it’s time to show your abilities and learn about the company. Hired and Makers share how to nail the interview and get the answers you need.
Demonstrate Transferable Skills
The level of tech skills you need depends on the level of position you interview for. Employers are more willing to accept more transferable skills in mid-level roles. For senior roles they are seeking someone with the right technical knowledge.
Start with soft skills you have that fit the requirements of the role. Share you have what it takes to be successful in the position. Learn about the company’s culture and values. See how those attributes align with your personal values. Determine if you have experience representing similar values in a former role. Get ready for experience-based behavioral questions. Prepare answers with examples from your previous work experience. The answers you give need to show your impact and its result.Determine how you can make up for any gaps in the required experience. Explain why your skills or experience will transfer to this new role. This helps you appear low risk to the employer.
Related: Want to advance your technical skills? Check out options through Makers!
Ask Questions
Finding a good company and culture fit is critical to success in any role. The interview is your opportunity to ask questions. Listen up for answers that are factual and based on data. See nonspecific answers and those with no available data as red flags. The answers provide insight into the company to help you determine if you have found the right fit.
General Examples
How does your company promote work-life balance?What initiatives are in place to promote diversity and inclusiveness?Can you share data on the organization’s diversity?Ask about their experience and feel free to ask for examples: What are some of the best things about working here? What are some of the challenges you’ve found? What do you wish you knew when you started your role here? What does success look like for this role?
Examples for Tech Candidates
How does your team address problems that arise?Has this position evolved? In what ways could the responsibilities change in the future?What is the balance between junior and senior roles on the team, and will this change?What are the company’s technical principles?
Examples for Sales Candidates
What are some of the challenges faced by the current sales team?Where is the company looking to grow in the future?What support do sales staff receive from team leadership?What are the traits most critical to success in this role?
What Are Interviewers Looking for?
The interview isn’t just a chance for you to learn about the company – the company also learns about you. Know what interviewers are assessing for so you portray yourself effectively. At all levels, an interviewer’s questions seek to uncover your character, passion, and transferrable skills.
When interviewing for a senior-level role, the questions are more specific. The interviewer wants to learn about your technical skills and large project contributions. They also want to determine how willing you are to mentor and help others on the team.
Forget to Ask an Important Question During the Interview?
Don’t worry! This easily happens. Use this opportunity to follow up with the interviewer. If you remember your question, include it in your thank you note. (Yes – these still matter). Use the thank you or follow up email as an opportunity to demonstrate your curiosity and enthusiasm for the role. Be selective, don’t send a long list or questionnaire. The interviewer is busy, too! Choose the top two to three questions you’d like to ask at this stage in the interview.
Pro Tip: Don’t apologize for forgetting to ask. Instead, say, “as I was reflecting on our conversation, I have some additional questions.”
Find a New Role on Hired
Are you ready? Hired sets job seekers up with the right resources to ace the interview process. Dedicated Candidate Experience managers ensure your success every step of the way. The perfect role is out there – find it today on Hired, where companies apply to you!
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