Part 1 - What are interviewers really looking for?
At this point, you probably already spent some time developing your general familiarity with the field you want to work at in Australia, now you will start to know what companies are hiring for it and will learn how to understand the needs/ wants/desires/fears of the organizations and what they want from you.
Your prospective employer is curious about you. You put in an impressive application, and maybe you were even introduced by a mutual contact. Now they want you to come in and meet the team, answer some questions, and just chat for a bit. (They want to get back to work! They want you to succeed — if you're right for the job).
It seems like an odd way to evaluate a job candidate, right? If they're really looking for the best, why not just have you work for an hour? Because interviews are not just an assessment of your hard skills. Hard Skills are important, but they're not the whole answer. What they're really testing is your behaviour.
First, let's establish that interviewing is a skill — one you can practice, tweak, and improve. Once you master the interview skills, you can crush the competition, even if they are more qualified than you on paper.
Interviews Test Your Behavior
The interview is a test of how you behave in person. That is why even if you have all the right skills, one mistake can make you an automatic "No Hire." It is not just what you say. Remember, you are constantly sending out dozens of tiny Competence Triggers, from your vocal tone to your body language, which affect how others perceive you.
Competence Triggers are how your interviewers can instantly tell if you are smart, confident, and likable, often without even consciously realizing it. Top performers understand this, and treat every single interview question as an opportunity to display
their high competence.
Part 2 - Tool Box
The Dreaded Open-Ended Question
Your responses to interview questions will dwarf any other factor in the interview — including your experience.
When it comes to interview questions, you may get some that are purely factual:
"Do you have experience in X?"
"Have you ever used Y?"
And also the open-ended ones with no one "true" answer, like:
"Tell me about yourself."
"Why do you want to work here?"
"Tell me about a time when..."
The questions are challenging, unavoidable, and few things will make you stand out more than acing each and every one of them. Once you perfect these, you can apply your new skills to every aspect of the interview process.
3 Steps to Perfect Interview Answers
Here's the 3-step method you will use to give the "perfect" response to almost any question:
1. Find the Question Behind the Question.
2. Find the Plain English Answer.
3. Polish to Perfection.
Let's look at each of these in detail.
1. Find the Question Behind the Question
The toughest interview questions seem like they're asking one thing while really asking another: the Question Behind the Question.
Whenever you get an open-ended question, you should immediately be thinking: "Why are they really asking me this?"
Example 1: "Why do you want this job?" you might think: "I need money, duh." But what you should be really thinking is: "They want to know if I really care about this job, or if I just applied here to get any job."
Example 2: "Tell me about yourself." You might think: "Gosh, where to begin? Let's start from the top..." What you should be thinking:"They want to know who I am professionally, and more importantly, why I'm here now and why they should care."
A great way to uncover the question behind the question is to think:
What is the hiring manager's concern here?
What are they worried about?
Is it a red flag on my resume?
Have they been burned before by others similar to me?
Do they just want to see how I handle a vague question?
When in doubt, pause, take a deep breath and think carefully about what THEY want to find out — not what you should say to make yourself sound good.
There is no secret to this. It takes listening, practice and experience (which is why it's so important to practice, record yourself, receive feedback and maybe even start with companies you don’t really care about).
Example: "An interviewer drilled me on a lengthy period of self-employment on my resume. I used to assume this period was seen as negative and would end up trying to justify it in an apologetic tone. This time, however, I just thought of their unstated concern and addressed that in my answer. Instead of trying to defend my self-employment, I talked about what a formative experience it was for me and how that experience was applicable to the company’s specific needs. My answer was right on target: The interviewer nodded with approval and moved on."
When asked about red flags, most people react defensively. But you should see it as an opportunity to assuage a hiring manager's concerns, and even impress them.
2. Find the Plain English Answer
FIRST decide what you're trying to say in plain English. THEN work on the exact language. Let's take the previous example, "Why do you want this job?" An average performer thinks: "I want this job so I can make money, but I can't say that. I better make something up about corporate values..."
Stop right there. First, never lie. It does not work and there is always a better option.
Second, take a moment to think about all your potential answers in their plain-English form. Let's try it out. What are all the (true) reasons you might want to work at company X?
I need the money.
I hate my boss.
The company does great work.
There are a lot of smart people here.
I think I can do a good job.
All of these answers might be true, but only the latter 3 are acceptable. Your answers must be positive and professional. So your answer in plain English might look something like this: "I want to work here because the company does great work, there are a lot of smart people, and I think I can do a good job." This simple answer is already better than most. Now we just need to take it to the next level.
3. Polish to Perfection
Let's look at what we have so far: Question Behind the Question: "Why do you want this job? Are you actually interested in us or did you just apply here randomly?” Plain English Answer: "I want to work here because the company does great work, there are a lot of smart people, and I think I can do a good job." That answer is decent, but not powerful. It needs a unique and compelling story to really make an impact.
Time to use your Story Toolbox. (You will see below how to create your toolbox)
Tell a 30-60 second story using this basic formula:
Broad: Set the stage with some high-level background.
Specific: Give a few specific, engaging details -- only the essential.
Broad: Wrap up with the high-level takeaways.
Here's what the polished answer might look like:
"I want to work at Google for 3 key reasons: First, you're doing amazing, life-changing work in the field of X. Second, I'm confident I can make a huge contribution given my experience in Y. And third, you have some of the smartest people in the world working for you. [Broad]
That last point in particular is a huge deal for me. You will notice I have a history of actively seeking out and working with the top people in my field, such as John Smith and Jane Doe, who really pushed me to accomplish Z. [Specific]
Bottom line, I thrive in environments filled with smart, ambitious people, and that's why I'd love to be a part of the Google team."[Broad]
There's a lot going on here, so let’s unpack the important bits. Notice all the Competence Triggers:
It's positive, professional, and genuine.
It's crisp and concise, with no extraneous details.
The details that are included are engaging and impressive.
Example 2. (Possibly the most feared interview question of all..)
“What’s Your Biggest Weakness?”
Most people answer this with a weak, answer like "I work too hard" or "I have a problem saying no to responsibility." Hiring managers have heard these lines a thousand times. Here's what you'll do instead:
Find the Question Behind the Question: "Are you aware of your weaknesses, and what do you do to address them?"
Brainstorm Potential Plain English Answers:
“I have poor time management.” [Don't say this]
“I'm not really good at what I do.” [This is also very bad]
“I've only worked for one company most of my career.” [This is OK]
Say these are your only options: The last one is clearly the most salvageable.
3. Polish it up.
"My biggest weakness is that I've spent the majority of my career working for one company. In some ways, that can limit my perspective. Of course, I've worked in a variety of departments — and in fact I was promoted faster than anyone else to run XYZ — but I'm ready to take what I've learned to a different culture and industry, and that's why I'm here."
See the difference? Instead of dodging the question with the standard non-answer, you tackle it honestly, openly and professionally. That is what hiring managers want to see. Notice the flow again. You start with a broad answer, give some crisp details and then go immediately into the takeaways, all in just 2-3 sentences.
Finally, as a bit of an advanced technique, notice the throwaway line about your rapid promotion. They can ask you about your weaknesses, but they cannot stop you from talking about your strengths.
That is the basic theory behind answering tough interview questions. However, there is a big difference between knowing what to do, and actually pulling it off in practice.
Knowing the perfect answer is one thing. Actually giving it, live and under pressure, is another experience all together. There's only one solution: practice!
It's amazing, but most people don't practice at all. They did all this hard work to get an interview, then simply show up and wing it.
Yet two hours of practice can mean the difference between GETTING THE JOB YOU WANT and a rejection letter.
Smart questions you should ask
It's best to start with open-ended questions that will get the hiring manager talking about his/her true needs.
What do you see to be the most critical components of the job?
What needs to be done immediately?
What are some of the long-range goals of the position?
How can the new person make your life easier?
Also be certain to ask questions that show you've done your homework.
I understand your company is expanding into new markets in Asia. How will this affect your department?
With the launch of product X, what do you anticipate customer reaction to be
Part 3 - Practice
How to practice your interviews
Your options:
→ Recite responses in front of a mirror (good)
→ Record yourself on video (better)
→ Practice with a skilled friend, and video tape it (best)
Pick the 10 questions you think you’re most likely to be asked, and script out your responses in advance.
Simulate the interview as much as possible: Dress up, sit in a chair, and face your interviewer across a desk. Observe, or have your partner observe and give feedback on your:
→ Answers: Detailed, but not rumbly
→ Body language: Attentive but relaxed, smiling
→ Voice: Loud, clear and expressive
Practice each question at least 5 times. When you are able to give perfect answers consistently, you will be ready.
Interview Preparation: The Basics
When an employer wants to interview you, someone (usually HR) will reach out for scheduling.
Find out what times they have available, then get your current work schedule cleared, then book the interview.
Before the interview: You always want to be superbly prepared for the actual interview, so do last minute homework and be sure you're up-to-date on any media mentions of the company. Reach out to more experts for coffee if you have time (especially ex-employees).
Also, be sure to study the job posting and your own resume in detail. Assume you will be asked about every line item.
Create Your Cheat Sheet
As you already know, it is important to bring some copies of your resume to your interview, the hiring manager may have only conducted a cursory review of your resume so it is always a good idea to hand him or her a clean, well-formatted copy.
But here is a great tip to ensure you will ace the event-specific questions: bring a special copy of your resume for yourself! Then have it available for you to refer to quickly and easily. During the questioning, it is fine for you to glance down from time to time. And here is the super secret--write keywords in the margin of your resume that will jog your memory as to the examples you want to be certain to highlight. This way, even if you get a bit nervous and your mind goes temporarily blank, you have the answers (the examples you wish to emphasize) in front of you! Your "cheat sheet" will help you feel better prepared and much more relaxed.
So, with a little planning, forethought and a well organized cheat sheet, you can handle most any behavioral style question that might come your way. At the very least, you will boost your confidence and appear more professional and composed. This attitude alone will go a long way to make that all-important positive impression and help you ace the interview -- including those unexpected, event-specific questions!
Handling Different Types of Interviews
Depending on the company, interview formats may vary:
→ Phone
→ 1 on 1
→ Group
→ Multiple rounds of any of the above
None of these require particularly different strategies. Just a few notes:
→ Phone interviews: Stand up, keep a mirror in view to self-correct body language, and smile!
→ In-person interviews: Prepare at least 5-10 good questions, several copies of your resume and pen & paper. Arrive in the area 20 minutes early, but enter the office ~7 minutes before the actual interview.
What to Do During the Interview
After being shown to your interviewer’s office, introduce yourself, sit down and make light small talk. Practice this! Thank them for their time and reiterate how excited you are to chat, then let them lead.
Ideally, you should be talking about 60-70% of the time. Of course, this varies. Some interviewers talk a lot more than others.
If they talk too much and they’re starting to drift off topic, gently pull them back on track: "This sounds really interesting. So what did you have in mind that I could help with?"
Finally, be sure to ask questions and contribute thoughts throughout, not just at the end. Make it a conversation.
What If a Question Catches You Off Guard?
It’s bound to happen. Relax, take some time to think, and remember the process:
→ What are they really asking?
→ How should I respond, in plain English?
→ What details and background can I add to make this as compelling as possible?
→ If you get a question that really stumps you, it’s ok to ask questions: “Can you give me some more background on that?” or “I’m not sure I understand...can you clarify that?”
→ If you’re still stuck, simply say “Hmm... I’ll have to think about that. Can we come back to it in a few minutes?
Ending the Interview
The interviewer will ask if you have any other questions. Ask your top 2-3 questions that you've prepared. Advanced interviewees will have asked many questions during the interview.
→ Important: Keep all questions focused on their needs, not yours. Don’t try to sniff out details about salary, hours, and office politics during the interview — now is not the time.
As soon as are away from the office, write down everything you can remember:
→ All questions asked and your responses
→ Anything you learned that can help you in future interviews (e.g. specific challenges they’re facing)
→ Major takeaways and what to improve for next time.
Thank You and Following Up
Once you finish recording your notes, send a quick, personalized thank you email to each person you interviewed with:
"Hi Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to chat today — I especially enjoyed talking about XYZ. I really think this is a great fit for both of us.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Luis Fernando"
If you don’t hear back from them in 5 days (or whatever time frame they gave you) send a gentle follow up:
"Hi Jim,
Just wanted to follow up on the XYZ position we chatted about last Tuesday — you mentioned getting in touch about potential next steps.
Is there anything I can do to help speed the process along?
Thanks,
Luis Fernando"
Part 4 - Principles
Mastering Interviews: Key Takeaways
Interviewing is a numbers & skill game. You'll likely start off with more failures than successes. You certainly will not become a master overnight.
And yes, your qualifications absolutely matter, and you will be evaluated on them. Being good at what you do is important.
But you're evaluated on much more than that: From your stories, to your social acuity, to your eloquence — these are all Competence Triggers that give you a massive competitive advantage when you need it most.
Principles
→ Know how to answer everything about your Resume
→ Know how to answer everything about the role and requirements
→ Know everything about the company
→ Study insanely hard about the technical interview questions in your field you are likely to be asked, use sites online and books that claim to be able to cover the material typically asked in technical interviews in your industry.
→ Craft your value proposition about how you deliver value to the orgs specifically in the way that they want/need, and rehearse some of the answers.
→ Take notes during our rounds of phone screens + interviews to iteratively refine your answers.
→ Before an interview spend extra time making sure your clothes are in good condition and that you will get to locations with plenty of spare time to rest before interviews.
→ Spent the morning before the interviews relaxing and trying to clear your mind to calm readiness.
→ Made sure to eat well in the morning, pack some extra snacks to keep your blood sugar/energy level functional during the course of the day.
→ Continue expressing interest and enthusiasm during interviews; continue gathering deep inside information about the companies during the interviews. Being inquisitive vs. just answering their questions.
→ Use any leftover time to get know people as individuals, get a sense about they how felt about the company, their co-workers, and their jobs. PEOPLE REALLY APPRECIATE THIS.
Ask a simple question as “so, you like it there?” often catches people off guard and either they will give you an honest answer or an answer that is clearly papering over their real feelings. Genuinely listen to and follow up on their answers start to build a bridge/bond between you as people, it helps assess the strengths and weaknesses of the company from their perspective. This is extremely helpful to have their self-concept, because you can position yourself as synergizing with their positives and avoiding or fixing their negatives. This is beyond just solving
→ their work problems, this is about interpersonal and cultural fit. And it naturally leads to good things from the interviewer because, if you do it genuinely, it shows that you genuinely care how they feel and appreciate their advice and wisdom about their own company.
→ Tailor different answers to peoples’ different roles, e.g. managers care slightly less about pure technical capability than about whether you know how to work with a manager-- what a *manager* needs: that you deliver results in a high quality, timely, well-communicated manner, and *achieve the goals of the manager* and the organization effectively.
→ Your general sharpness, interest, passion, personality and communication make up for lack of specific experience.
→ Always ask your interviewer questions about the company and about their experiences with the company. They love talking about themselves, and it gives you great insights that you can use in later conversations with the company...not to mention that it keeps the interview more conversational and balanced.
Part 5 - Frequent Interview Questions
Frequent Interviews Questions - and how to answer them
During an interview you will probably be asked open ended questions, resume questions and technical questions, those are the most common interview questions you are likely to be asked:
1. Tell me a bit about yourself?
This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it's crucial. Here's the deal: Don't give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead give a pitch—one that’s concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. Start off with the 2-3 specific accomplishments or experiences that you most want the interviewer to know about, then wrap up talking about how that prior experience has positioned you for this specific role.
2. How did you hear about the position?
This is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for highlight your job-relevant greatness and connection to the company. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name drop that person, then share why you were so excited about it. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.
3. What do you know about the company?
Any candidate can read and regurgitate the company’s “About” page. So, when interviewers ask this, they aren't necessarily trying to gauge whether you understand the mission—they want to know whether you care about it. Start with one line that shows you understand the company's goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it personal. Say, “I’m personally drawn to this mission because…” or “I really believe in this approach because…” and share a personal example or two.
4. Why do you want this job?
Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don't? You probably should apply elsewhere.) First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g., “I’ve always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I want to be a part of it”).
5. Why should we hire you?
This question seems forward (not to mention intimidating!), but if you're asked it, you're in luck: There's no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, you can deliver great results; that you'll really fit in with the team and culture; and that you'd be a better hire than any of the other candidates.
6. What are your greatest professional strengths?
When answering this question, interview coach Pamela Skillings recommends being accurate (share your true strengths, not those you think the interviewer wants to hear); relevant (choose your strengths that are most targeted to this particular position); and specific (for example, instead of “people skills,” choose “persuasive communication” or “relationship building”). Then, follow up with an example of how you've demonstrated these traits in a professional setting.
7. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question—beyond identifying any major red flags—is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, “I can't meet a deadline to save my life” is not an option—but neither is “Nothing! I'm perfect!” Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you’re working to improve. For example, maybe you’ve never been strong at public speaking, but you've recently volunteered to run meetings to help you be more comfortable when addressing a crowd.
8. What is your greatest professional achievement?
Nothing says “hire me” better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs, so don't be shy when answering this question! A great way to do so is by using the S-T-A-R method: Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., “In my last job as a junior analyst, it was my role to manage the invoicing process”), but spend the bulk of your time describing what you actually did (the action) and what you achieved (the result). For example, “In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 man-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%.”
9. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it.
In asking this question, “your interviewer wants to get a sense of how you will respond to conflict. Anyone can seem nice and pleasant in a job interview, but what will happen if you’re hired and Gladys in Compliance starts getting in your face?” says Skillings. Again, you'll want to use the S-T-A-R method, being sure to focus on how you handled the situation professionally and productively, and ideally closing with a happy ending, like how you came to a resolution or compromise.
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.
11. What's your dream job?
Along similar lines, the interviewer wants to uncover whether this position is really in line with your ultimate career goals. While “an NBA star” might get you a few laughs, a better bet is to talk about your goals and ambitions—and why this job will get you closer to them.
12. What other companies are you interviewing with?
Companies ask this for a number of reasons, from wanting to see what the competition is for you to sniffing out whether you're serious about the industry. “Often the best approach is to mention that you are exploring a number of other similar options in the company's industry,” says job search expert Alison Doyle. “It can be helpful to mention that a common characteristic of all the jobs you are applying to is the opportunity to apply some critical abilities and skills that you possess. For example, you might say 'I am applying for several positions with IT consulting firms where I can analyze client needs and translate them to development teams in order to find solutions to technology problems.'”
13. Why are you leaving your current job?
This is a toughie, but one you can be sure you'll be asked. Definitely keep things positive—you have nothing to gain by being negative about your past employers. Instead, frame things in a way that shows that you're eager to take on new opportunities and that the role you’re interviewing for is a better fit for you than your current or last position. For example, “I’d really love to be part of product development from beginning to end, and I know I’d have that opportunity here.” And if you were let go? Keep it simple: “Unfortunately, I was let go,” is a totally OK answer.
14. Why were you fired?
OK, if you get the admittedly much tougher follow-up question as to why you were let go (and the truth isn't exactly pretty), your best bet is to be honest (the job-seeking world is small, after all). But it doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. Share how you’ve grown and how you approach your job and life now as a result. If you can position the learning experience as an advantage for this next job, even better.
15. What are you looking for in a new position?
Hint: Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.
16. What type of work environment do you prefer?
Hint: Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.
17. What's your management style?
The best managers are strong but flexible, and that's exactly what you want to show off in your answer. (Think something like, “While every situation and every team member requires a bit of a different strategy, I tend to approach my employee relationships as a coach...”) Then, share a couple of your best managerial moments, like when you grew your team from five to 15 or coached an underperforming employee to become the company's top salesperson.
18. What's a time you exercised leadership?
Depending on what's more important for the the role, you'll want to choose an example that showcases your project management skills (spearheading a project from end to end, juggling multiple moving parts) or one that shows your ability to confidently and effectively rally a team. And remember: “The best stories include enough detail to be believable and memorable,” says Skillings. “Show how you were a leader in this situation and how it represents your overall leadership experience and potential.”
19. What's a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?
Everyone disagrees with the boss from time to time, but in asking this question, hiring managers want to know that you can do so in a productive, professional way. “You don’t want to tell the story about the time when you disagreed but your boss was being a jerk and you just gave in to keep the peace. And you don’t want to tell the one where you realized you were wrong,” says Peggy McKee of Career Confidential. “Tell the one where your actions made a positive difference on the outcome of the situation, whether it was a work-related outcome or a more effective and productive working relationship.”
20. How would your boss and co-workers describe you?
First of all, be honest (remember, if you get this job, the hiring manager will be calling your former bosses and co-workers!). Then, try to pull out strengths and traits you haven't discussed in other aspects of the interview, such as your strong work ethic or your willingness to pitch in on other projects when needed.
21. Why was there a gap in your employment?
If you were unemployed for a period of time, be direct and to the point about what you’ve been up to (and hopefully, that’s a litany of impressive volunteer and other mind-enriching activities, like blogging or taking classes). Then, steer the conversation toward how you will do the job and contribute to the organization: “I decided to take a break at the time, but today I’m ready to contribute to this organization in the following ways.”
22. Can you explain why you changed career paths?
Don't be thrown off by this question—just take a deep breath and explain to the hiring manager why you've made the career decisions you have. More importantly, give a few examples of how your past experience is transferrable to the new role. This doesn't have to be a direct connection; in fact, it's often more impressive when a candidate can make seemingly irrelevant experience seem very relevant to the role.
23. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
"Choose an answer that shows that you can meet a stressful situation head-on in a productive, positive manner and let nothing stop you from accomplishing your goals," says McKee. A great approach is to talk through your go-to stress-reduction tactics (making the world's greatest to-do list, stopping to take 10 deep breaths), and then share an example of a stressful situation you navigated with ease.
24. What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?
Start by explaining what you'd need to do to get ramped up. What information would you need? What parts of the company would you need to familiarize yourself with? What other employees would you want to sit down with? Next, choose a couple of areas where you think you can make meaningful contributions right away. (e.g., “I think a great starter project would be diving into your email marketing campaigns and setting up a tracking system for them.”) Sure, if you get the job, you (or your new employer) might decide there’s a better starting place, but having an answer prepared will show the interviewer where you can add immediate impact—and that you’re excited to get started.
25. What are your salary requirements?
The #1 rule of answering this question is doing your research on what you should be paid by using sites like Payscale and Glassdoor. You’ll likely come up with a range, and we recommend stating the highest number in that range that applies, based on your experience, education, and skills. Then, make sure the hiring manager knows that you're flexible. You're communicating that you know your skills are valuable, but that you want the job and are willing to negotiate.
26. What do you like to do outside of work?
Interviewers ask personal questions in an interview to “see if candidates will fit in with the culture [and] give them the opportunity to open up and display their personality, too,” says longtime hiring manager Mitch Fortner. “In other words, if someone asks about your hobbies outside of work, it’s totally OK to open up and share what really makes you tick. (Do keep it semi-professional, though: Saying you like to have a few beers at the local hot spot on Saturday night is fine. Telling them that Monday is usually a rough day for you because you’re always hungover is not.)”
27. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews generally because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There's no wrong answer here, but you'll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say… ”
28. How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?
1,000? 10,000? 100,000? Seriously?
Well, seriously, you might get asked brainteaser questions like these, especially in quantitative jobs. But remember that the interviewer doesn’t necessarily want an exact number—he wants to make sure that you understand what’s being asked of you, and that you can set into motion a systematic and logical way to respond. So, just take a deep breath, and start thinking through the math. (Yes, it’s OK to ask for a pen and paper!)
29. Are you planning on having children?
Questions about your family status, gender (“How would you handle managing a team of all men?”), nationality (“Where were you born?”), religion, or age, are illegal—but they still get asked (and frequently). Of course, not always with ill intent—the interviewer might just be trying to make conversation—but you should definitely tie any questions about your personal life (or anything else you think might be inappropriate) back to the job at hand. For this question, think: “You know, I’m not quite there yet. But I am very interested in the career paths at your company. Can you tell me more about that?”
30. What do you think we could do better or differently?
This is a common one at start-ups (and one of our personal favourites here at The Muse). Hiring managers want to know that you not only have some background on the company, but that you're able to think critically about it and come to the table with new ideas. So, come with new ideas! What new features would you love to see? How could the company increase conversions? How could customer service be improved? You don’t need to have the company’s four-year strategy figured out, but do share your thoughts, and more importantly, show how your interests and expertise would lend themselves to the job.
31. Do you have any questions for us?
You probably already know that an interview isn't just a chance for a hiring manager to grill you—it's your opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit for you. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team?
You'll cover a lot of this in the actual interview, so have a few less-common questions ready to go. We especially like questions targeted to the interviewer (“What's your favourite part about working here?") or the company's growth (“What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?")
Resume Interview Questions
Goal: Develop the answers in the most verbal way possible and practice.
1. Describe your role at company X (one for each role you had):
2. Why did you leave your job at company Y? (one for each role you had):
3. What kind of role are you looking for?
4. What are you doing now?
5. Why didn’t you continue working as a xxx?
6. Why did you come to Australia?
7. How much do you expect to get?
Part 6 - Interview Action Plan
Action Plan: Practice Your Interviews
Using the 3-step interview process, write at least 10 questions you anticipate, and their answers, into a Toolbox document. [5 hours]
→ Start with at least these 5 essentials:
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to work here?
Tell me about your experience at X.
Tell me about a time when [some challenging work situation]
Why should we hire you?
→ Remember, the 3 steps are:
Find the Question Behind the Question.
Find the Plain English Answer.
Polish to Perfection.
Finally, practice until it's perfect, either alone or with a friend. [5 hours]
Your turn! Use a card like this one.
Example:
Question: *Why did you leave your last job after just 6 months?
The Question Behind the Question: *Are you going to leave us, too?
In Plain English: *It wasn't a good fit, but don't worry -- I'm definitely looking for something long term.
Polish to Perfection: *You know, I had a great experience there, but in the end it wasn't the right fit for me. And while I realize how things might look from someone in your position, I'm ready to commit to a company I can really grow with and help succeed.
Interview Email Scripts
It may be one of the most commonly dispensed pieces of job-search advice, but sending a thank you note after an interview really is crucial to sealing the deal. Thanking the hiring manager for his or her time is not just polite — it also demonstrates a sincere interest in the position and the company.
Fail to follow up, and you may end up costing yourself the job, no matter how well your interview went.
Below find some sample thank you notes for you to use, customize and improve!
POST-INTERVIEW THANK YOU EMAILS
1.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to chat today — I especially enjoyed talking about XYZ. I really think this is a great fit for both of us. Hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
2.
Dear Mr. xx
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the _____role with (your company).
I believe my (A) and (B) skills, combined with significant (C) and (D) experience, would be an asset to your team.
I look forward to future discussions to learn how I can contribute to your organization’s goals.
Sincerely,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
3.
Dear Mr. XX,
Thank you for taking the time to interview with me yesterday about the XX position with (name of the company).
It was a pleasure meeting with you, and I truly enjoyed learning more about the role and the company. After our conversation, I am confident that my skills and experiences are a great match for this opportunity. As we discussed, I believe my background in XXX and my ability to XXX will serve me well in doing xxx for xxx.
I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of joining the XXX team and would greatly appreciate a follow-up as you move forward with the hiring process.
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone.
Thanks again, and I hope to hear from you in the near future.
Best regards,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
4.
Dear XX
I very much enjoyed our conversation yesterday about the _____________ opportunity on your team.
After our interview, I am positive that my experience can make a measurable impact on your department’s deliverables.
I hope to hear from you in the near future.
Best regards,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
5.
Dear XX
It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday to learn about the ___________ position with (your company).
I am very interested in learning more and continuing our conversation. I feel my background is a strong fit for your team.
Thanks for the opportunity to interview, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
6.
Dear XX
I truly appreciate the time you shared yesterday to talk about the _____ role in your department.
Your insights about the position were very helpful, and I would enjoy the opportunity to further continue our
dialogue and learn more about a career with (your company). Thanks and regards,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
7.Dear XX
Thank you for our interview this week; the time and insight you shared were very much appreciated. After our
meeting, I am even more enthusiastic about the _____________ opportunity with your company and am
confident that my experience and industry background would allow me to quickly make a contribution to your
team.
I look forward to future discussions with (your company).
Thanks again,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
**Notice that your Signature should contain Your name, LinkedIn link and Phone Number.
POST-INTERVIEW FOLLOW UP
Hi Jim,
Just wanted to follow up on the XYZ position we chatted about last Tuesday - you mentioned getting in touch about potential next steps. Is there anything I can do to help speed the process along?
Thanks,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
ASKING A COMPANY TO EXPEDITE THEIR INTERVIEW PROCESS
Hi Jim,
I just learned that I have another offer from a top technology company here in the northern beaches Area. That role is very interesting to me, but of course I have enjoyed our conversations and would be very interested in working with Acme if we there's a good fit.
The other offer explodes on [DATE].
Can you help expedite the Acme interview process so we can see if there's a mutual fit?
Again, I'm very interested and I don't want timing to stand in the way of moving forward.
Thanks,
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
AFTER INTERVIEW CONTRACTOR TEMPLATE
Dear XX
Many thanks for interviewing with me last (day of the week).
I did a research with fair work and immigration about my working rights under the student visa (572) and I confirmed that International Students are allowed to work under ABN/Contract.
I currently hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia during 40 hours per fortnight over my study period and unlimited number of hours over my holiday period. Although international students might have some working hours limitation, being an Independent Contractor allows us to have an agreement that doesn’t break this condition since a common indicator that may contribute to determining whether a person is an employee or independent contractor is the hours of work. The fair work ombudsman regulations state that independent contractors can agree what hours to work to complete the specific task.
Please find below the indicators that may contribute to determining whether a person is an employee or independent contractor:
For more information please have a look in the following links:
pathwaytoaus.com/general/abn-for-international-students/
fairwork.gov.au/about-us/policies-and-guides/fact-sheets/rights-and-obligations/international-students
fairwork.gov.au/about-us/policies-and-guides/fact-sheets/rights-and-obligations/contractors-and-employees-whats-the-difference
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards
Luis Fernando Arruda de Carvalho
0406 000 000
Linkedin/luisfernandoarrudadecarvalho
SAMPLE THANK YOU FOR A BAD JOB INTERVIEW
(SEND THIS MESSAGE AS SOON AS YOU ARE SURE YOU BLEW THE JOB INTERVIEW).
This is a sample email format. Adapt the text in the sample to your circumstances, and customize it as described in Sending Your Thank You's After the Job Interview.
Subject: Thank you for the [Job Title] position interview on [date]
OR, if the failure was clear and obvious
Subject: Apology for the [Job Title] position interview on [date]
Dear Mr. Hendrix:
Thank you very much for your time interviewing me for the position of [job title]. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this position, meet you and other members of the team [or, if only one other person, include that person's name], and see your facility [or office, building, location, whatever is appropriate].
I believe that, unfortunately, I was not at my best during the interview and may have left you with the impression that I could not do this job well. (Or whatever mistake you are sure you made.)
I would like the opportunity to interview again. I have [years] of experience with [technology, tools, or qualification you have that is important to the job] in my position with [name of a current or former employer where you gained the experience relevant to this job]. I believe that I could become a useful contributor to the team very quickly.
I know that your time is very valuable, and I promise not to waste it if you will allow me another opportunity to speak with you about this job. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Janis Joplin
eCommerce Customer Support Specialist
[LinkedIn Profile URL]
[Phone number -- not your work number if you are employed]
** After the Thank You Is Sent don't expect to hear from them, and do NOT contact them again about this opportunity. Let them decide if they want to give you another chance. Do not compound your problems by becoming a pest, particularly if there are other parts of this employer's organization where you may apply in the future.
Another opening with different interviewers may happen with them in the future, so just chill after you send this message. And, be extremely well-prepared for that next interview, if it happens!**
SAMPLE POST-JOB INTERVIEW FEEDBACK LETTER
This letter is asking for feedback after an unsuccessful interview. It's good to send this as soon as you can after you know the result and whilst you are still fresh in the interviewer's mind.
Dear Jane
Thank you very much for taking the time to interview me for the position of [name of position] on the [date of interview].
I appreciate the time you took to see me. While I was disappointed to be informed that I was not successful this time, I would welcome any feedback you could give me about my job application and interview. I am always looking to improve and any feedback or advice you may have would be very useful for me in the future.
I can be contacted any time via phone, email or post. I really appreciate you taking the time to consider me for the position and if any other vacancy were to become available, I would love to have the opportunity to apply.
Thanks again for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
John Lenon
Dear Mrs Jenkyns
I would like to thank you for interviewing me the other day.
Although I was unsuccessful in my application, I still found it a valuable learning experience. I do understand that there was much competition for the post I applied for.
I would like to improve my application and interview skills, so I would be most grateful if you could let me have some feedback on my performance, so that I may do better in future