Stand Out in a Job Interview | The Harvard Business Review Guide

Summary

This video offers expert advice on how to excel in job interviews. It emphasizes the importance of research, preparing personal stories, and practicing your responses to highlight your skills and experiences. The video also advises on the value of being authentic, staying flexible during conversations, and preparing for virtual interviews. It provides strategies to manage potential pitfalls, such as lack of direct experience or tough questions, while maintaining confidence and poise. By following these tips, candidates can make a strong, memorable impression and increase their chances of landing the job.

Takeaways

• 😀 Do your homework: Research the organization, its culture, and the job role to be well-prepared for the interview.
• 😀 Craft powerful personal stories: Connect your experiences, skills, and achievements to the job you're applying for to make a lasting impression.
• 😀 Practice your stories: Rehearse your answers to common interview questions to ensure confident and clear delivery.
• 😀 Make a great first impression: Focus on your body language, posture, and tone to convey confidence in the first 30 seconds.
• 😀 Engage in a genuine conversation: Approach the interview as a two-way discussion rather than a performance, and be curious about the company and role.
• 😀 Be flexible and adaptable: Listen attentively, adjust your responses as needed, and be ready to improvise if the conversation shifts.
• 😀 Handle gaps or weaknesses in your resume with confidence: Redirect focus to your potential and willingness to learn.
• 😀 Prepare for tough questions: Have multiple responses ready for follow-up questions about your resume or experience.
• 😀 Don't dwell on mistakes: If something goes wrong during the interview, stay calm, acknowledge the situation, and continue confidently.
• 😀 Prepare for virtual interviews: Ensure your space is tidy, test your internet connection, and dress appropriately for a professional appearance.

Q & A

Why is it important to do research before a job interview?

Researching the company and the position helps you understand its structure, culture, industry trends, and the skills needed for the role. It boosts your confidence and prepares you to present yourself as a perfect fit for the position.

What role do personal stories play in a job interview?

Personal stories allow you to connect your experiences, values, and achievements with the requirements of the job. They can make you more relatable, likable, and memorable, helping the interviewer see you as the ideal candidate.

How should you prepare for telling your stories during an interview?

Select three or four key messages to convey, craft engaging stories with a beginning, middle, and end, and practice delivering them confidently. You should also be ready to adjust the stories based on the interview context.

What does the phrase 'performing curiosity' mean in an interview setting?

'Performing curiosity' means adopting a mindset of being genuinely interested in the conversation. By asking open-ended questions and showing curiosity, you allow the interview to unfold naturally and engage in a meaningful dialogue.

How can you handle interview questions that challenge your experience?

If your past experience doesn't directly align with the job, focus on highlighting your potential to learn and adapt. Emphasize your overall competence and ability to acquire new skills, which could make you a valuable asset despite the experience gap.

What should you do if you notice the interviewer losing interest during the conversation?

If the interviewer seems disengaged, don’t dwell on the mistakes you made. Instead, stay focused on the current question, offer a corrective statement if necessary, and adjust your approach to re-engage the interviewer.

How do you prepare for virtual interviews differently from in-person ones?

For virtual interviews, ensure your background is clean and uncluttered, test your internet connection, and ensure you are well-lit and visible on camera. Dress professionally and check your space in advance to make sure it aligns with the image you want to project.

Why is the first 30 seconds of a job interview so crucial?

Research shows that interviewers form opinions about your personality and intelligence in the first 30 seconds. Therefore, your introduction, body language, tone, and overall confidence during this time can significantly influence the rest of the interview.

What should you do if you make a mistake during the interview?

Mistakes happen, but it’s important not to dwell on them. Simply continue the conversation, refocus on the current question, and if necessary, acknowledge the mistake in a constructive way to maintain the flow of the interview.

What are some key tips for standing out in a job interview?

Be well-prepared by researching the company and role, craft compelling personal stories that highlight your skills, practice your delivery, engage in meaningful conversations, and be flexible in your responses. Additionally, present yourself confidently and authentically, whether in person or virtually.