I've decided to write a post noting some tips for interviews and some wacky questions that illustrate recruiters trying to keep candidates on their toes. The best case scenario is when an interview turns into a conversation.
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| "We got this, we're gladiators!" |
Conduct Research
Walking into an interview unprepared is one of the worst things you can possibly do. Here is The Huffington Post's mashup of Most Disastrous Job Interviews in films showing what NOT do in interviews. In an interview you want to demonstrate your interest in the company and showcase why you would be an asset. Trying to "wing it" won't work. Recruiters do not like disorganized answers and will assume you didn't prepare, which will lead them to believe you aren't that interested. Demonstrating what you know about a company, beyond the front page of the website, and why you want to work there will reveal your preparation skills and your work ethic. Remember "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail"!
Mock Interviews
The Career Center offers mock interviews with career advisors and, occasionally, with employers to help improve your interviewing skills. There is also the option to have your interview recorded on video, so that you can review your performance and observe your body language throughout the process. Dr. Albert Mehrabin, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA, studies nonverbal communication, and his work shows that 55% of communication is nonverbal. Making sure that your nonverbal communication is in tune with your verbal is especially important. According to the Quintessential Career Blog smiling not only helps you feel better, but also engages the interviewer and keeps the conversation flowing. So, show off those pearly whites!
The Career Center offers mock interviews with career advisors and, occasionally, with employers to help improve your interviewing skills. There is also the option to have your interview recorded on video, so that you can review your performance and observe your body language throughout the process. Dr. Albert Mehrabin, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA, studies nonverbal communication, and his work shows that 55% of communication is nonverbal. Making sure that your nonverbal communication is in tune with your verbal is especially important. According to the Quintessential Career Blog smiling not only helps you feel better, but also engages the interviewer and keeps the conversation flowing. So, show off those pearly whites!
Behavioral Questions
Today, one of the most challenging types of interview questions is the behavioral question. A behavioral question asks the applicant to describe a past event in order to predict how the employer will behave in a similar situation in their organization. These questions are increasing in multitude in interviews today because interviewers theorize they are one of the most accurate indicators of future performance. This style is expected to demonstrate how you manage challenges, awkward situations, and stress. The best way to prepare for these questions is to brainstorm concrete examples employers seek prior to the interview. The Tufts Career Center S.T.A.R model is very useful in helping students master behavioral interviewing. Breaking down stories into Situation, Task, Action, and Results helps to generate a framework for telling the story, as well as focusing on the "big picture" that will create a positive impression on the interviewer.
Today, one of the most challenging types of interview questions is the behavioral question. A behavioral question asks the applicant to describe a past event in order to predict how the employer will behave in a similar situation in their organization. These questions are increasing in multitude in interviews today because interviewers theorize they are one of the most accurate indicators of future performance. This style is expected to demonstrate how you manage challenges, awkward situations, and stress. The best way to prepare for these questions is to brainstorm concrete examples employers seek prior to the interview. The Tufts Career Center S.T.A.R model is very useful in helping students master behavioral interviewing. Breaking down stories into Situation, Task, Action, and Results helps to generate a framework for telling the story, as well as focusing on the "big picture" that will create a positive impression on the interviewer.
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| Tip: Don't bring your Stepbrother to the Interview |
- Q: Describe a situation when you needed to complete a goal in a short amount of time
- A: Employers are looking for how you prepare and the steps you took to accomplish the goal within a tight time frame. Emphasize working under pressure and making decisions quickly.
- Q: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake
- A: Admitting that you've done something wrong is the first step towards self-critique and learning. Demonstrating that you are able to learn from your mistakes will be perceived as an asset, particularly when you are able to learn quickly and fix the problem.
Quirky Questions and Brainteasers
A main source of anxiety in interviews is the question that you aren't prepared for. Companies are now looking towards making their interviews more unique by including brainteasers and quirky questions to evaluate quick thinking. This past summer when I was an intern at New York Life Insurance, the Human Resource department organized a Career event which included a seminar on interviewing by recruiter Patrick Connolly. Here are two examples that he used to demonstrate what recruiters were looking for when they ask certain questions in interviews:
- Q: "Sell me this pen"
- This is a classic sales role-playing question, that even popped up in Martin Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street movie.
- Connolly revealed that this question stumped him in some of his first interviews, but what he learned from it was to expect the unexpected.
- Here is great advice from TheRecruitmentGuy on giving a sophisticated answer which demonstrates creativity and quick thinking.
- Q: How do you make a grilled cheese sandwich?
- Being detail-oriented is something companies are looking for and are tapping into in this answer.
- Connolly suggested that the detail is the most important thing in this answer. For example, if you use butter on the bread, what type of butter is it - flavored, fresh, salted? What type of cheese do you use?
- The possibilities are endless, but feel free to embellish with questions like these, as they demonstrate your creativity.
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| "I hear Fabio makes a great grilled cheese" |
Practice Practice Practice!
The most important part of interview preparation is verbal practice! Regardless of how much research you've done, if you have not practiced out loud, you could easily lose track of your thinking. Practicing with a career advisor or a friend, and leveraging the recording apps on your phone will increase your chances of a great interview. Even though you've done the research, without the vital amount of time reciting answers out loud you could find yourself forgetting how to answer even the most basic questions.
The most important part of interview preparation is verbal practice! Regardless of how much research you've done, if you have not practiced out loud, you could easily lose track of your thinking. Practicing with a career advisor or a friend, and leveraging the recording apps on your phone will increase your chances of a great interview. Even though you've done the research, without the vital amount of time reciting answers out loud you could find yourself forgetting how to answer even the most basic questions.
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Remember to channel your inner-Yoda through storytelling and practice. Interviews provide a great opportunity to bring your application and resume to life in the eyes of a recruiter. May the force be with you my friends!
Carpe Diem,
Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016
Carpe Diem,
Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016
