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SPEAKER: If the words job interview
make you feel a little nervous, you're definitely not alone.
But it's important to remember that an interview is
more than a hurdle between you and your next job.
An interview is a chance to speak with, and potentially
learn from, someone in a field that interests you.
It's an opportunity to hear directly
from someone about what it's like to work in this field,
to discover how their team functions,
and how their company does business.
A great interview can benefit your career whether or not
you land the job, because it allows
you to make a new contact.
So even if one position isn't quite the perfect fit,
it can lead you to another one that will be.
Plus, you'll be able to meet people who might become mentors
or who can introduce you to someone else who will
have that perfect role.
It's also important to remember that acing your interview
isn't actually about getting everything perfect.
The best interviews are about connecting
with your interviewers and making it clear how much you
have to offer their team.
The best way to connect is to relax
and be fully present during the interview itself.
There are also commonly-asked interview questions
that aren't specific to any particular field
which employers use to get a sense of who you are
and how you might approach your work.
These are questions like, what is
your greatest strength and biggest area for improvement?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why are you leaving your current job?
How do you deal with stressful situations?
And, do you prefer working on your own or with a team?
Once you have an idea of the questions you might be asked,
you have the advantage of being able to practice your answers.
We'll talk more about that in the practice
section of the workshop.
But for now, let's talk about how
to handle one of the most common and most surprisingly difficult
interview questions out there.
Tell me about yourself.
While it's not technically a question,
this prompt is often the first thing
a potential employer asks you.
It's not always easy to mention the most relevant details when
you're asked such a broad question.
That's why we're going to spend a little time talking
about your elevator pitch, which is a quick summary of what
you have to offer.
The term elevator pitch comes from the idea
that if someone stepped into an elevator with you,
you could introduce yourself and give
an idea of what you have to offer
before the elevator arrived at its destination.
An elevator pitch allows you to introduce yourself
and what you have to offer early in the interview.
You can lead with the information you're proudest of
and that will be most interesting to the employer.
Here are a few tips for a successful elevator pitch.
You don't need to memorize it verbatim,
but you should practice and become
familiar with the main points to make sure
that you share the information that's most important to you.
It should be around 30 to 60 seconds long.
Your pitch should include these three components,
who you are, what you do, and why they should hire you.
Now that you're prepared to answer your interviewer's
questions, make sure you've prepared
a few questions of your own.
Asking questions during an interview is really important.
It's a way to demonstrate that you've invested time
learning about the company and the job opening,
and it shows that you're approaching
the job thoughtfully.
While you don't want to overwhelm your employer
with too many questions, it's good to have at least three
in mind or written down before you start the interview.
You might think of more questions
organically over the course of the interview,
but having a few prepared will ensure
that you're able to show that you're approaching
the job thoughtfully.
If your research doesn't lead you to think of questions,
here are a few options for you.
What does growth look like within this company?
What qualities does your ideal candidate have?
What's your favorite thing about working here?
What do you see as the biggest challenge for someone
in this position?
How do you measure success for this position?
As you write your questions, avoid
ones that can be easily answered by a careful reading of the job
description or other basic research.
Asking a question that's already been answered
for you can make it seem like you didn't prepare enough
for the interview.
Let's fast forward a few steps.
Your preparation and practice gave you
the confidence to complete your job interview
and make a great impression.
Congratulations.
Now, let's talk about the steps that you
can take to make that impression last and hopefully earn
a job offer.
The image on this slide shows a thank you email.
A thank you note is one extra chance to leave
a positive impression on your interviewer and hiring team,
so be sure to send a thank you note via email within 24
hours to everyone you spoke with,
the hiring manager, the recruiter,
and any other team members.
Your thank you note or email should be brief, no more
than four or five sentences.
In your email, be sure to thank the person for taking the time
to interview you.
Emphasize how enthusiastic you are about the job,
be specific about what you like about the position,
and what you're excited to potentially contribute
to their team.
If you can, mention one specific thing
you enjoyed speaking to them about.
Even if you had a conversation about your favorite sports team
or restaurant, those moments of connection
can pave the way for a professional relationship.
Be sure to proofread your note carefully
and complete a spelling and grammar check.
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