Aspire Professional Development: Interviewing

Aspire Institute

1 May 202306:06

Summary

TLDRThis video script offers comprehensive guidance on job interview preparation, emphasizing the importance of researching the company and role. It advises preparing for common and behavioral questions using the STAR method for structured responses. The script also covers interview etiquette, such as dressing professionally, arriving on time, and sending a follow-up thank you note. Additionally, it provides tips for virtual interviews, including understanding the format, testing equipment, and maintaining a professional demeanor throughout.

Takeaways

🔎 Research the company and the position you're applying for to understand their mission, values, and what they seek in a candidate.
📝 Prepare answers to common interview questions and outline them to stay focused and succinct during the interview.
🌟 Be ready to answer behavioral interview questions that assess past behavior and experience to predict future performance.
📚 Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioral questions effectively.
💡 The STAR method helps to demonstrate problem-solving abilities, initiative, and leadership skills through specific examples.
📈 Provide a clear example of overcoming an obstacle at work to showcase self-reflection, motivation, and skill development.
👔 Dress professionally for the interview, even if it's virtual, to show respect for the position and company.
🕰 Be punctual and prepared with copies of your resume and relevant documents for the interview.
🤝 Greet the interviewer with a positive attitude, a firm handshake (if in-person), and maintain good eye contact.
👂 Listen carefully to the interviewer's questions and respond thoughtfully to show engagement and understanding.
❓ Prepare questions for the interviewer about the position and the company to demonstrate your interest and initiative.
💌 Send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours of the interview to express gratitude and reiterate your interest in the position.

Q & A

What is the purpose of a job interview in the hiring process?
-The purpose of a job interview is to share your skills and capabilities while also learning more about the company and the role you are applying for. It is typically the final step in procuring a job.
Why is it important to research the company and position before an interview?
-Researching the company and position helps you understand their mission, values, and what they are looking for in a candidate. This information can be found on the Internet or through networking conversations with people who work or have worked at the company.
What should you prepare in terms of answers for a job interview?
-You should prepare answers to common interview questions such as why you are interested in the position, your strengths and weaknesses, and why the company should hire you. Writing a brief outline of your answers will help you stay focused and succinct.
What is a behavioral interview question and how is it used to assess a candidate?
-A behavioral interview question is used to assess a candidate's past behavior and experience to predict their future performance. It typically begins with phrases like 'tell me about a time when' or 'can you give me an example of' and asks the candidate to describe a specific situation they have encountered in the past and how they handled it.
Can you explain the STAR method for answering behavioral interview questions?
-The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It helps you provide specific examples of your skills and experience, demonstrating how you have handled similar situations in the past and your problem-solving abilities, initiative, and leadership skills.
What does the acronym 'STAR' stand for in the context of answering interview questions?
-In the context of answering interview questions, 'STAR' stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, which is a framework to structure your responses to behavioral interview questions.
How should you showcase your skills and experience during a job interview?
-You should showcase your skills and experience by providing specific examples of how you have applied them in previous roles, using frameworks like the STAR method, which helps to highlight your problem-solving abilities, initiative, and leadership skills.
What is an example of how to apply the STAR method in a job interview?
-An example of applying the STAR method could be describing a time you overcame an obstacle at work by explaining the situation (learning bookkeeping by hand), the task (adapting to new software), the action you took (watching tutorials, scheduling a call with a trainer, enrolling in courses), and the result (being able to use the software effectively and earning professional certification).
What should you consider when preparing for a virtual job interview?
-When preparing for a virtual job interview, consider dressing professionally, having a neutral or professional background, arriving on time, logging on early for technical setup, making a good first impression, and avoiding multitasking during the interview.
What is the significance of sending a thank you note or email after the interview?
-Sending a thank you note or email within 24 hours of the interview expresses your gratitude and reiterates your interest in the position. It can leave a positive impression on the interviewer and potentially differentiate you from other candidates.
What are some additional tips for a virtual interview that can help ensure a smooth process?
-Additional tips for a virtual interview include understanding the format of the interview, testing your equipment beforehand, making sure your computer, internet connection, camera, and microphone are working properly, and familiarizing yourself with the platform that will be used for the interview.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Preparing for a Job Interview

This paragraph outlines the importance of the interview as the final step in securing a job and provides guidance on how to prepare. It emphasizes researching the company and the position, understanding the company's mission, values, and expectations. It also suggests preparing answers to common interview questions and using the STAR method for behavioral interview questions. The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, which helps to structure responses and showcase skills and experiences. An example is given to demonstrate how to apply the STAR method in answering a behavioral question about overcoming obstacles at work.

05:00

🤝 Conducting Yourself During the Interview

This paragraph focuses on the conduct during the interview, including dressing professionally, arriving on time, and making a good first impression. It advises on how to handle virtual interviews, ensuring a neutral background and proper equipment setup. The importance of active listening, thoughtful responses, and asking questions about the position and company is highlighted. Additionally, it recommends sending a thank you note within 24 hours post-interview to express gratitude and reiterate interest. Tips for multiple rounds of interviews and treating everyone with respect are also provided.

🔍 Additional Tips for Virtual Interviews

This paragraph offers specific advice for virtual interviews, such as understanding the interview format, whether it will be a video call or phone call, and familiarizing oneself with the platform that will be used. It also stresses the importance of testing equipment, including the computer, internet connection, camera, and microphone, to avoid technical difficulties during the interview.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Job Interview

A job interview is a formal meeting where a potential employer assesses a candidate's suitability for a job. In the video's context, it is the final step in securing employment and serves as an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate their skills and learn about the company and role. The script emphasizes the importance of interview preparation and conduct, such as researching the company and practicing responses to common questions.

💡Research

In the script, research refers to the process of gathering information about the company and the position one is applying for. This includes understanding the company's mission, values, and the criteria they seek in a candidate. Research is vital for tailoring answers to interview questions and showing the interviewer that the candidate is genuinely interested in the opportunity.

💡Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions are designed to evaluate a candidate's past actions and experiences to predict future performance. These questions typically start with phrases like 'tell me about a time when' or 'can you give an example of'. The script explains that these questions aim to reveal how a candidate thinks, acts, and behaves in various situations, which is crucial for assessing their fit for the role.

💡STAR Method

The STAR method is a structured approach to answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. The script uses this method to provide a framework for candidates to give clear and concise responses that highlight their skills, abilities, and experiences. The method helps to organize thoughts and present a coherent narrative of past experiences.

💡Situation

In the context of the STAR method, 'Situation' refers to the background or context of the scenario being discussed. The script illustrates this by having the candidate describe the circumstances surrounding a specific work challenge, such as learning to use bookkeeping software to adapt to technological advancements.

💡Task

The 'Task' component of the STAR method involves explaining the specific challenge or responsibility faced by the candidate. In the script, the task is learning to use bookkeeping software to keep up with financial record-keeping, which demonstrates the candidate's adaptability and willingness to learn new skills.

💡Action

The 'Action' part of the STAR method details the steps taken by the candidate to address the task or challenge. The script provides an example of the candidate watching tutorial videos, scheduling training sessions, and enrolling in courses to overcome the obstacle of learning new bookkeeping software.

💡Result

The 'Result' in the STAR method describes the outcome of the candidate's actions, including successes, accomplishments, and lessons learned. In the script, the result is the candidate's ability to use the bookkeeping software effectively and complete work more efficiently, showcasing problem-solving and initiative.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism in the video script refers to the candidate's demeanor, dress, and conduct during the interview. It emphasizes the importance of dressing appropriately, arriving on time, and maintaining a professional background for a virtual interview, which reflects the candidate's seriousness and respect for the opportunity.

💡First Impression

A first impression is the initial perception formed when meeting someone for the first time. The script highlights the importance of making a good first impression by greeting the interviewer with a firm handshake, a smile, and a positive attitude. In a virtual setting, this includes making eye contact and staying present without multitasking.

💡Thank You Note

A thank you note is a message expressing gratitude, often sent after an interview. The script advises sending a thank you note or email within 24 hours of the interview to show appreciation for the opportunity and to reiterate interest in the position. This gesture can leave a lasting positive impression on the interviewer.

💡Virtual Interview

A virtual interview is conducted remotely using video conferencing or phone calls. The script provides specific tips for virtual interviews, such as understanding the interview format, testing equipment beforehand, and ensuring a neutral background to avoid distractions. This reflects the growing trend of remote hiring processes and the need to adapt interview skills accordingly.

Highlights

The interview is the final step in securing a job and an opportunity to showcase skills and learn about the company and role.

Preparation for an interview includes researching the company, its mission, values, and expectations for the candidate.

Utilize online resources and networking to gather information about the company and position.

Prepare answers to common interview questions to stay focused and succinct during the interview.

Behavioral interview questions assess past behavior and experience to predict future performance.

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a framework for answering behavioral interview questions effectively.

The Situation component of STAR involves describing the context or background of the discussed scenario.

The Task aspect of STAR requires explaining the specific challenge faced by the candidate.

The Action part of STAR details the steps taken to address the task or challenge.

The Result component of STAR describes the outcome of the candidate's actions, including successes and lessons learned.

Using the STAR method helps to highlight problem-solving abilities, initiative, and leadership skills.

An example is provided to illustrate how to apply the STAR method in responding to interview questions.

The candidate in the example demonstrates self-reflection, self-motivation, and continuous skill development.

Professional dress is important for in-person and virtual interviews to show seriousness about the position.

For virtual interviews, ensure a neutral or professional background to avoid distractions.

Arriving on time, bringing relevant documents, and making a good first impression are crucial for successful interviews.

Active listening, thoughtful responses, and avoiding multitasking are key during the interview.

Preparing questions for the interviewer shows engagement and interest in the position and company.

Sending a thank you note or email within 24 hours after the interview is a recommended practice.

Multiple rounds of interviews may be conducted, requiring different stories and examples for each.

Treating everyone involved in the interview process with respect is emphasized.

Understanding the interview format and platform beforehand is important for virtual interviews.

Testing equipment like computer, internet connection, camera, and microphone before a virtual interview prevents technical issues.