How to Prepare for a Job Interview: 10 Steps for Success: Live Office Hours: Andrew LaCivita
TLDRIn this informative session, career expert Andy LaCivita offers a comprehensive guide on preparing for job interviews. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the corporate website, career portal, and social media presence, as well as reviewing the job description and related positions. LaCivita also stresses the value of knowing your requirements and aligning them with the potential employer's culture and opportunities. He provides practical advice on how to handle questions about lacking experience and offers tips on presenting oneself effectively, regardless of age or background. The session is packed with actionable advice, including how to follow up after interviews and the best time of the year to apply for jobs, making it a must-watch for any job seeker.
Takeaways
- 📚 Review the corporate website for a comprehensive understanding of the company's image, products, services, and industry position.
- 🔍 Examine the career portal for insights into the company's culture, employee testimonials, and recruitment news.
- 💬 Check corporate social media and review sites like Glassdoor for a sense of the company's community and employee satisfaction.
- 👥 Research the job interviewers by looking them up online to gain background knowledge and prepare targeted questions.
- 📄 Thoroughly study the job description and related positions to understand the role's responsibilities and potential growth opportunities.
- 💡 List your personal requirements and align them with the company's offerings to assess cultural fit and job satisfaction.
- 🤝 Prepare a list of questions that reflect your needs and the information you seek about the company and role.
- 🗣️ Formulate responses to common interview questions using the job description and your personal experiences.
- 📃 Bring multiple copies of your resume to the interview, even if the interviewer has it, to ensure you have a copy on hand.
- 👔 Dress appropriately for the interview, typically in full business attire unless instructed otherwise.
- 📞 Follow up with the company within seven days after submitting your resume or completing an interview to maintain communication.
Q & A
What are the 10 items Andy suggests to prepare for a job interview?
-Andy suggests reviewing the corporate website, career portal, corporate social sites and review sites, researching the job interviewers, understanding the job description and related positions, identifying personal requirements, preparing relevant questions, formulating responses to common interview questions, bringing an updated resume, and dressing appropriately for the interview.
How does Andy emphasize the importance of the corporate website in interview preparation?
-Andy emphasizes that the corporate website can reveal a lot about the company's image, products, services, and culture. He suggests that job seekers should look beyond the surface and ask themselves questions to understand what they see, such as the company's leadership in its space, its treatment of employees, and the attractiveness of its products or services.
What should a job seeker do if they find negative reviews about a company on sites like Glassdoor?
-Andy advises taking negative reviews with a grain of salt but looking for patterns. He suggests asking the interviewer about these reviews in a non-confrontational manner, showing awareness and seeking clarification without putting the interviewer on the defensive.
How does Andy approach the question of company culture during an interview?
-Andy believes that cultural fit is crucial for employee retention and success. He suggests that job seekers identify the cultural characteristics they thrive in and prepare questions that elicit information about whether the organization aligns with those characteristics.
What is Andy's advice on updating your resume after applying for a job but before the interview?
-Andy recommends emailing an updated resume to the HR person or recruiter and bringing a copy to the interview. He suggests being open about the update and offering the new resume to the interviewers to ensure they have the most current information about the candidate's experience and skills.
How should a job seeker respond to a question about experience they don't have?
-Andy advises acknowledging the lack of experience concisely and then shifting the focus to related experiences or skills that could quickly be adapted to the new task. He emphasizes the importance of ending on a positive note that highlights the candidate's ability to learn and adapt.
What is the best time of the year to apply for jobs according to Andy?
-Andy mentions that companies often do a lot of hiring at the beginning of the year, particularly in the first quarter. However, he also notes that good companies hire throughout the year and that there is always some level of turnover, meaning opportunities can arise at any time.
How does Andy differentiate between the 'Tell Me About Yourself' and 'Walking Me Through Your Resume' interview questions?
-Andy explains that 'Tell Me About Yourself' gives the candidate freedom to discuss anything they choose, while 'Walking Me Through Your Resume' asks the candidate to specifically detail their professional background as it appears on their resume.
What should a job seeker do if an interviewer makes an inappropriate comment, such as saying the candidate is old?
-Andy suggests that if an interviewer makes an inappropriate comment, it's a red flag about the company culture. He advises the candidate to consider whether they would want to work in an environment where such behavior is acceptable.
How does Andy recommend following up after submitting a resume or completing an interview?
-Andy recommends waiting seven calendar days after submitting a resume before following up. If there is no response after two weeks, he suggests sending another polite follow-up. After a job interview, he advises sending a 'thank you' email or card within 24 hours and waiting the amount of time the interviewer specifies before following up.
What if a hiring manager says the candidate is too expensive?
-Andy suggests discussing what could be added to the job to justify the candidate's requested salary or expressing willingness to take a pay cut if the candidate is particularly interested in the role or company.
Outlines
📌 Introduction and Background
Andy LaCivita introduces himself and his YouTube channel, where he provides free career and job search advice. He mentions that this is the fifth program in his mini-series for the summer and will focus on preparing for job interviews. Andy is the founder of milewalk and milewalk Academy, an award-winning author, and has been helping people succeed in their careers for a long time. He also mentions the various resources and giveaways available for viewers, including a free resume webinar, resume templates, and an eBook on job interviews.
🔍 Reviewing the Corporate Website
Andy emphasizes the importance of reviewing the corporate website when preparing for a job interview. He suggests looking beyond the surface and asking questions about the company's image, products, services, and employee treatment. He also discusses the significance of the company's presence and how it can influence one's perception and understanding of the organization.
💼 Career Portal and Social Sites
Andy advises job seekers to examine the company's career portal and social media sites to gain insights into the organization's culture and values. He suggests looking for employee testimonials, recruitment news, and any indications of growth or turnover. He also warns against relying solely on corporate review sites like Glassdoor, as they may contain biased information from disgruntled employees.
👥 Researching Interviewers and Job Description
Andy encourages job candidates to research their interviewers and thoroughly understand the job description. He suggests using online resources like LinkedIn to find out more about the interviewer's background and expertise. He also recommends studying the job description in detail, including related positions, to prepare for potential discussions during the interview.
📋 Personal Requirements and Questions
Andy highlights the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's personal requirements when preparing for a job interview. He advises candidates to compile a list of their needs and use it to generate questions that align with these requirements. He also mentions a webinar called 'Three Keys to Ace Any Job Interview' that provides guidance on asking effective questions.
💬 Crafting Responses and Bringing Materials
Andy discusses the need to prepare effective responses to common interview questions and to bring relevant materials to the interview, such as extra copies of the resume. He suggests using resources like his free eBook 'Ace Your Job Interview' to help craft responses and emphasizes the importance of dressing appropriately for the interview.
🤔 Addressing Negative Reviews and Cultural Fit
Andy addresses how to handle negative reviews about a company on sites like Glassdoor. He advises taking such reviews with a grain of salt and looking for patterns. He also discusses the importance of cultural fit in a job and suggests that candidates prepare questions during the interview to assess whether their values align with the company's culture.
📝 Resume Writing and Interview Queries
Andy answers questions about resume writing, including whether it should be written in the third person and how to update it after applying for a job. He also addresses how to handle questions about future career plans, especially for those with work visas, and provides strategies for conveying agreement during panel interviews.
🕒 Timing of Interviews and Handling 'Too Expensive' Comments
Andy discusses the best times of the year for companies to set up interviews and hiring trends. He also addresses how to respond if a hiring manager considers a candidate 'too expensive' by suggesting ways to negotiate or adjust expectations based on the candidate's desire to join the company.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Job Interview Preparation
💡Career Advice
💡Personal Development
💡Hiring Process
💡Resume Writing
💡Interview Skills
💡Company Culture
💡Networking
💡Professional Development
💡Job Search Strategies
Highlights
Andy LaCivita provides a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for a job interview, offering 10 key items to ensure readiness.
The importance of reviewing the corporate website is emphasized, highlighting the need to understand the company's image, products, services, and employee treatment.
The career portal of a company can reveal much about its culture, growth, and employee satisfaction through features like employee testimonials and recruitment news.
Corporate social media and review sites offer insights into the company's community engagement and employee sentiments.
Interview preparation involves researching the job interviewers and understanding their backgrounds and roles within the company.
A thorough analysis of the job description is crucial, including examining related positions to anticipate potential role adjustments during the interview.
Candidates should be aware of their personal requirements and align interview questions to these needs for a successful self-assessment.
Preparing a list of questions for the interviewer that align with personal requirements is essential to determine if the company is a good fit.
Effective responses to interview questions can be crafted using resources like Andy's free eBook and webinars for guidance.
Bringing multiple copies of your resume to the interview is recommended, as employers may not always have it on hand.
Dressing appropriately for an interview, typically in full business attire unless instructed otherwise, is advised to make a strong first impression.
Andy addresses common interview questions and concerns, such as handling negative reviews about a company and understanding company culture.
For job seekers with disabilities or those over 50, Andy suggests strategies to overcome potential biases and discrimination.
Executive management positions often involve a multi-stage interview process with various company levels and team members.
Andy provides advice on how to follow up after submitting a resume or completing an interview, emphasizing the importance of timing and persistence.
When asked about future aspirations, it's beneficial to discuss potential growth within the role and alignment with the company's direction.
Handling situations where an interviewer mentions a candidate's age or other sensitive topics is discussed, with a focus on professionalism and self-respect.
Andy shares insights on when companies typically conduct interviews throughout the year, noting that hiring can occur at any time but often spikes at the beginning.
For job seekers who have updated their resume after applying for a job, Andy advises on how to present the updated version at the interview.
The difference between 'Tell Me About Yourself' and 'Walk Me Through Your Resume' interview questions is clarified, with strategies for responding to each.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
How To Prep For - and Ace - the Interview. State of California Hiring Process.
Step 4: Getting a State of California Job - Take the Exam
HOW EARLY SHOULD YOU BE TO A JOB INTERVIEW? (7 BRILLIANT Job Interview TIPS!)
Become a Project Manager With No Experience: Guaranteed!
Why Should We Hire You - Best Answer for All Jobs
Top 30 Interview Questions - From a recruiters hiring playbook
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: