Interview Preparation Notes

Business Casual

• Business casual attire should allow comfort and functionality while projecting authority.
• It should make you feel comfortable while also conveying a sense of authority.

Research

• Thorough research is crucial before accepting a job.
• Beyond salary, consider your compatibility with the company.
• Examine the company's website to observe their public image and values.
• If the company interacts with children or parents, observe their treatment to gauge the company culture.
• Use Google and Glassdoor to read reviews from various perspectives, including past and current employees.
• Don't take reviews at face value.
• Gather information from multiple sources to assess if the job aligns with your needs to avoid wasting time in interviews.

Asking Questions

• Asking insightful questions demonstrates interest and engagement.
• Inquire about a typical day in the role to understand daily responsibilities.
• Ask about the company's future goals and how the role contributes to them to understand your vital role as you start.
• Understand the work environment (lax or structured) to assess fit.

The Follow-Up

• A thank-you note after the interview is a valuable, but declining, practice.
• Sending a thank you note immediately after the interview can make a strong impression.
• Email is acceptable, but a physical card stands out.
• The interviewer significantly influences hiring decisions, even if they are not the direct supervisor.

Avoid Negativity

• Refrain from speaking negatively about your current or former employer.
• Frame your reasons for leaving in terms of seeking growth or alignment with a company's mission.

Rambling

• Avoid rambling, as interview time is limited (30 minutes to an hour).
• To avoid rambling, use cheat sheets like Post-it notes with key points.
• If you lose focus, it is acceptable to ask for the question to be repeated; this demonstrates self-awareness.

Preparation

• Lack of preparation is easily noticeable and suggests a lack of seriousness.
• Preparation includes getting adequate sleep and eating before the interview.
• Pamper yourself before an interview to boost confidence and reduce stress.

Interview Process

• The interview process is essential for assessing communication skills, professionalism, and cultural fit.
• It clarifies the candidate's experience and reveals their motivation.
• It provides an opportunity for both parties to ask questions and evaluate compatibility.
• 33\% of hiring managers make a decision within the first 90 seconds.
• First impressions are important as interviewers look for good energy, confidence, eagerness, and excitement.

Questions

• General, educator-related, behavioral, skills/experience-related, situational/hypothetical, and closing/reflection questions.
• Identify questions which you are confident in answering.
• Identify questions that require more preparation.

Skills

• Avoid simply stating you know a skill. Demonstrate it with specifics.
• Share specific examples of its application and context.

Mock Interviews

• Practice and preparation are key to success.
• Courses on Excel can be helpful for skill development.
• The ability to perform skills on the spot is essential.

Eye Contact

• Eye contact is important, but sincerity is more crucial.
• It is acceptable to look away to gather thoughts, but redirect your gaze when answering to show sincerity.
• Avoid sounding rehearsed or robotic.
• Practice with friends and family to create a natural conversation flow.
• Remember the interviewer is also human and may be nervous.

Confidence

• Boost yourself up and avoid underestimating your accomplishments, whether you are early in your career or have many years of experience.
• Role-playing can help you become comfortable.
• Interviews don't have to be so serious, and should be an enjoyment.
• Encourage yourself beforehand with the Superman pose, which sets your mind up to somewhere where you're gonna defeat that obstacle.

Chucking

• Time management involving not letting the same individual over speaking.