The best interview advice you never got (get into Google, BCG, top 1% roles)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares key strategies to excel in behavioral interviews, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, vulnerability, and future pacing. By using the 'show, don't tell' technique, candidates can make their responses more engaging and authentic. The speaker highlights the difference between standard responses and those that deeply connect with interviewers, showcasing qualities like leadership and problem-solving. Future pacing allows candidates to paint a vivid picture of how they would apply their experiences in the desired role, ultimately increasing their chances of job success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Demonstrate the quality being tested in behavioral interview questions (e.g., leadership, integrity).
• 😀 Go beyond basic storytelling by adding depth and emotional connection to your responses.
• 😀 Use vulnerability and authenticity in your answers to engage the interviewer more effectively.
• 😀 Show your thought process during challenging situations to demonstrate problem-solving and leadership.
• 😀 Make your responses compelling by sharing raw emotions and reflective insights from your experiences.
• 😀 Future pace your answers by helping the interviewer envision you applying your qualities in their specific role.
• 😀 Use specific examples that highlight how your skills would benefit the company or team you're interviewing with.
• 😀 Focus on making the interviewer see you as an effective, dependable member of the team, not just a candidate.
• 😀 Avoid dry, factual answers—engage the interviewer with stories that make them relate to your experiences.
• 😀 Internalize the techniques shared in the video and actively apply them in interviews to see a significant improvement in job success.

Q & A

What is the main objective of answering behavioral interview questions effectively?

The main objective is to demonstrate key qualities such as leadership or integrity while making the story engaging, authentic, and relevant to the job being interviewed for. The goal is to show that you have the required skills and can apply them successfully in the role you're interviewing for.

Why is it important to be vulnerable and authentic in your responses to behavioral interview questions?

Being vulnerable and authentic allows you to connect on a deeper level with the interviewer, showing your true self. This makes your story more relatable and memorable, helping the interviewer envision you in the role and with their team.

What role does 'future pacing' play in answering behavioral interview questions?

Future pacing involves guiding the interviewer to imagine you applying the skills and qualities you've demonstrated in past experiences to the job you're applying for. It helps them visualize your potential contributions to the company and team in the future.

What is the key difference between demonstrating a quality and delivering an engaging story in an interview?

While demonstrating the quality is crucial (like showing leadership or integrity), delivering an engaging story is just as important. Engaging stories make the experience more relatable and allow the interviewer to see how you think and operate, enhancing the impact of your answer.

How does showing your 'inner thoughts' help in answering behavioral questions?

Sharing your inner thoughts adds depth to your answers, making them feel more personal and authentic. It allows the interviewer to understand not only what you did but also why you did it, giving them a clearer sense of how you approach situations and make decisions.

What does it mean to 'internalize' the information shared in the video?

To internalize the information means to fully understand and apply it in your real-life interviews. It's about taking the concepts and strategies provided in the video and practicing them consistently until they become natural in your responses.

How can using the techniques discussed in the video improve your job hunting success?

By applying these techniques—like demonstrating key qualities, engaging the interviewer with authentic stories, and future pacing—you can significantly increase your chances of making a memorable impression, which can lead to a higher success rate in landing job offers.

What does the speaker mean by 'incepting' the idea in the interviewer's mind?

Incepting refers to subtly planting the idea in the interviewer's mind that you are a perfect fit for the job. It's about making them visualize you in the role and seeing your qualities as essential for their team, even without directly stating it.

What should be the focus when answering behavioral interview questions, according to the speaker?

The focus should be on demonstrating the quality being tested, telling an engaging and authentic story, and making sure that the story ties into the job you're applying for. It's important to show how your past experiences make you well-suited for the role.

How can you demonstrate leadership in a behavioral interview?

You can demonstrate leadership by sharing stories where you took initiative, led a team, resolved conflicts, or made strategic decisions that led to success. It's important to show how your leadership qualities positively impacted the outcome of a situation.