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 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.