So, the West Point Admissions rep for my district is coming over tomorrow to interview me. I've decided against challenging her to an arm-wrestling match, but what other tips do you have for impressing your interviewer and establishing a positive impression/connection?
If anyone has any experience interviewing for college (or for work if you feel that's applicable/similar), what are some no-no's and what are some things you like to see out of your interviewer?
I really appreciate your help in advance, I'm so goddamn psyched!
Bonus Points: What's the best way to answer the question, "What's your biggest weakness?"
I was talking with ipreferpi (whose username I just realized is a palindrome... I know, I'm slow) yesterday about interviewing techniques. He is a fan of turning every question in to a question. Perhaps he can elaborate here. I would suggest reading the post I made on mirroring and paraphrasing. Beyond that I always ensure that I answered their question by asking them, "did that answer your question?" -Silly, I know, but it's effective. I am always interviewing for sales jobs so I have to show that I'm a good communicator and that I'm able to gather information. I will come with a list of questions and if they're answered during the course of conversation, I'll cross them off my list. Then at the end I can say, "during the course of our discussion we've answered many of the questions I had. Thank you for that. However, I still have some questions regarding the position. How are you doing for time?" -A time check shows thoughtfulness and is something less mature candidates will often not do. Be confident. MOST OF ALL BE PASSIONATE. No person in the position of hiring has ever said to themselves, "gee, I liked that candidate but they were just too passionate about what they do." Use the quote, "A rising tide lifts all boats" and say that you've consistently been that tide in your life. BUT then you must have examples you can quickly reference when your positive actions have lifted up those around you. -Ideally in a professional or team setting. If you can, have some other quotes in your mental pocket. I will often throw out, "Abraham Lincoln famously said, 'give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe.'" Then tell them how you always succeed because you work harder than your competition. You are constantly sharpening your axe. When others are goofing off, you are preparing. You find joy in action. Key take away regarding the weakness question is to say that you have some. Maybe even say you have many and that you love actively turning them in to strengths. -Better have some examples of this though. One more tip, almost all major companies and agencies use the [STAR](xhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situation,_Task,_Action,_Result) (Situation, Task, Action, Result) behavioral interviewing method in one way or another. Be prepared to have examples of challenges you've overcome. Also, times you've succeeded at something and times you've failed. Why did you succeed and why did you fail? I always tell every interviewer that after each meeting i have professionally, I go back out to my car and write down three things I did well and three things I would have improved upon. -You can borrow that too. -It's actually just solid advice for anyone to do. Good luck! You're a badass and they will be lucky to have you. Remember that. Be confident and not cocky.... but definitely be confident. Go get 'em!Bonus Points: What's the best way to answer the question, "What's your biggest weakness?"
-The wrong thing to do is to say you have no weaknesses or that "I work too hard." or "I just care too much about my career/goals." -Don't bullshit. When I get asked this question I say, "Thankfully, I've done a lot of self-reflection over the years because it's the only way you can grow personally and professionally. I expected to be asked this question and while a lot of people are afraid to answer it, I welcome it. My weaknesses are within my control to turn in to strengths. That said, to answer your question, I cannot stand busy work. If there is something clerical in nature I will put it off for as long as I can before completing it. I will always complete it, you can rest assured of that, but I will not enjoy doing so. But I know this about myself and have worked hard to overcome it." -Something like that.
Hey, sorry for not getting to respond. The interview was this morning and I read all of your advice beforehand. It was certainly easier to keep everything in mind, than actually be able to call upon the right way to respond to each question during the interview; regardless, I think it went well and I was able to make a solid impression while eventually getting enough confidence to be really genuine, and definitely more in control. I didn't borrow any of your lines but they certainly helped shape my own responses. In response to "what's your biggest weakness as a leader," I said that I get really committed to my ideas when I'm setting a goal with a team, and I instead should make sure that all my teammates get to communicate equally while keeping myself open to compromise and trying a route I may not necessarily be in full control of. But, damn did I ramble! I wasn't even that nervous, I just couldn't be nearly as succinct and clear on every answer as I would have liked to be. Shit, I guess it'll take practice but I really wish I could have nailed it with West Point. I don't think it was too big a deal, we seemed to be on the same page and the conversation went very nicely. Anyway, thank you again for the awesome advice, I just gotta turn this awesome knowledge into a mental deck of cards that I can pull one out of instead f knocking the whole deck over out of nervousness :D
Give yourself a half and hour buffer to make sure you get there on time, can park, find a restroom, check yourself out in mirror, do some touching up, breathing, calming, orienting. Arrive at the office itself approximately 5 minutes before your interview. No sooner than 10 minutes before, no later than 3 minutes before. Use a different type of paper for your resume (I like heavy weight gloss/matte), and bring at least two copies, ideally three (one for yourself, one for the interviewer, one if there's someone else). Bring your references on the same paper, bring your cover letter on the same paper, bring the research you've done on the interviewer/company, on the same paper, bring the questions to ask, on the same paper, and so forth. Stacked up nicely in a folder. Paper clips, not staples. This may not work for other people, but what works for me is: I imagine I'm seducing someone. Reason this works for me is because I believe in long, slow, gradual seductions, very subtle. Helps me get into the right mindset. I'm not sexually objectifying the person, it's more a mindset that helps me get in the right role. Do research about the company or person who is interviewing you. Remember facts about it. Come up with questions. Come up with ideas. Be prepared to discuss intelligently. No chewing gum, fussing with your hair, squirming in your seat, slouching, grabbing your crotch, adjusting your bra strap, burping, tapping on the table, etc... sit comfortably up right, paying attention to the interviewer. Don't lean toward them overtly, but don't retreat either. Firm handshaie, not too weak, not too strong. Look them in the eyes, smile, and say, "good to meet you in person" when you do. Never cut your hair, wear shoes/clothes you've never worn before, use a bag you've never used before, color your hair the day before your interview. If you're gonna do these things, do them at least 2-3 days before the interview. Practice, practice, practice. Film yourself, have someone ask questions, so you know what you look like, what you need to work on. Rehearse common interview questions and your answers over and over and over. Simple google search will tell you what those common questions are. "What's your biggest weakness?" What they're looking for is how you approach challenges, and it's a personality thing as well, testing your self awareness et al. Maybe you're hyper detailed, and in times past had problems (not too horrible, even if it was, mention casually, lessen the impact), but this is how you fixed it. The general line of thinking: challenge, learning, result. Another general rule: yes/no conversations are boring. Ask them questions. If you answer a question or say something, be prepared to back that up with an example. Interviewers like concrete examples rather than empty filler.
This is all solid advice, some of it shouldn't have to be given. Gum? That person ought not even show up. I am compulsively early to meetings, so 1/2 hour wouldn't cut it for me. If it's something I really want, I'll be there an hour in advance. That gives me plenty of parking lot time to get in the proper headspace. Best piece of advice you gave, only because I think it's the most often overlooked, is the bit about not getting a haircut, wearing a new suit, shoes etc. You want to be comfortable and confident. You don't want to seem like a penny that only gets shined once a year. Good stuff dashnhammit!
(happy leap, then a bow, then a smile) Thank you! edit: as for the gum chewing, that's one of the comically awful stories I've heard from companies doing the interviewing. Some examples (wish I could find a better compilation, though): http://www.workopolis.com/content/advice/article/recruiters-share-their-true-job-interview-horror-stories/
Communicate this. College interviewers see about fifty of you per week. There is nothing you can do that they won't have seen before. Your absolute best practice is to genuinely convey who you are, because they know what they're looking for better than you'll ever be able to determine. Remember - they're lucky to have you, not the other way 'round, so be honored, flattered, open and appreciative of their time. As to "gotcha" questions ('what's your biggest weakness?') I'd argue that being able to truthfully say "I haven't thought about it much" has the advantage of honesty while also deflecting a ham-handed attempt to rattle you. With any luck, they won't be adversarial like that. It benefits no one.I'm so goddamn psyched!
I would suggest that honesty is great regarding the weakness question. I'd go as far as to say, "I anticipated you might ask this...."Communicate this
-100% yes. As I said in a comment here, no interviewer has ever said, "that person is too passionate."
What's your greatest weakness? I'd have to say "honesty". I don't think honesty is a weakness. I don't give a fuck what you think.I would suggest that honesty is great regarding the weakness question.
Very true, as you've said and others in this thread. One caveat I have about this comes by way of a story: was once in a job placement program where we were taught resume, interview skills, and part of the education was having each person being filmed on camera doing a mock interview. There's one guy, it was very clear he was trying to show he was very enthusiastic about the job. He was smiling like crazy, kept lunging in his chair toward the interviewer to show excitement, kept moving closer and closer, near climbing over the table. Don't do that. =)
To elaborate on that a bit, many people seem to forget that an interview is a two-way evaluation. Do NOT forget that. You are absolutely there to evaluate them as a company - ask them some tough, but fair questions too to get a sense for whether you want to work there or not. I've found going in with an attitude of equal parties can give you extra confidence. This obviously won't work if you feel desperate for work, but remember they are just as desperate to fill a position as you are to find one. Of course the numbers work in the employer's favour, but during the interview it's only 2 parties. Remember - they're lucky to have you, not the other way
I like those questions. They let me know I'm interviewing somewhere I don't want to be early. Nothing worse than wasting half the day interviewing before realizing you want nothing to do with these people.As to "gotcha" questions ('what's your biggest weakness?') I'd argue that being able to truthfully say "I haven't thought about it much" has the advantage of honesty while also deflecting a ham-handed attempt to rattle you. With any luck, they won't be adversarial like that. It benefits no one.
Good point. It's also okay, if asked a question, to say, "I've never been asked that question, it's a good question, very interesting. Can I think a few moments about that?" Also... it's related to something I read about Western vs Chinese business practices. Chinese, you're expected to know everything, right off the bat, and it's insulting, bad on you if you don't. Western, it's quite okay to say, "I don't know the answer, but I will do research, figure it out, and get back to you in an hour, by end of the day, etc."
Lots of good stuff in this thread. What's your biggest weakness? They want to know if you are self-reflective. If you say "I haven't thought about it much." Then they know you are not self-reflective. So be honest. I agree with tng. They see right through answers like "I work too hard." But if you say, "Sometimes I get so involved with one project that I ignore other deadlines and might let my team down." That's a more honest version of "I work too hard." Here's something that has worked really well for me. Imagine as best you can what West Point is looking for. What kind of student do they want in 2015? Do they want their students to be ethical, to be respectful of all genders and gender preferences? Show an awareness of the sexual harassment issues at West Point in 2014. Do they want their recruits to be capable of leadership? Then in the interview say this: I have an idea of what you are looking for. You want you students to be... and ... and ... Those are the qualities I want to bring to WP. good luck.
If I have nothing else to show for my life, at a bare minimum I can safely say that I will never again have to interview for a job, never again have to put up with a fucking HR flack trying to crack open my skull, never again have to second guess a bullshit question to find the appropriate flavor of bullshit answer, and never again have to contemplate what particular tone they want my one handed clap to sound like. I've never met a self-reflective HR professional. I've never met an interviewer who actually had any ability to sway hiring decisions. More than that, I've never seen a first-level interviewer whose job was more than to see how well you rattle. Anyone asking "what is your biggest weakness?" and expecting self reflection lacks the merit to ask. It's a canned question to fuck with the interviewee and the only winning move is not to play.They want to know if you are self-reflective. If you say "I haven't thought about it much."
HR professionals, in my experience, tend to be people that probably couldn't succeed in a non-bureaucratic workplace. They're bloodsuckers who are there for a singular purpose: to make sure the company doesn't get sued, or if they do get sued, to limit the spillover. I would never advise anyone to go to HR for any reason, unless all other options have been exhausted. The problem is that they present themselves as being mediators, when they lack allegiance to anyone but the bottom line. If it's cheaper to settle a sexual harassment allegation by letting the harassee go? Guess who's getting the gate? And those yearly performance goals? Just a backstop in case they want to fire you without a "real" cause--they already have documentation of you not being up to snuff that you provided them. I refuse to give myself less than a 5 out of 5 on my self evaluations. This year my boss made me change one of the categories to a 4, because he said it didn't sound believable. I said I didn't give a fuck, and you sign the thing, so do whatever you want. I like my job, but long for the day when this no longer applies to me. With luck, that day will come sooner rather than later. When my company gets off the ground I will never assent to employee annual reviews, no matter how hard thenewgreen protests :)
True story: I called a company because a vendor told me they needed me. I got routed to HR, who told me they weren't hiring. The VP of engineering called me back half a day later, apologized, and called me in for a meeting. Director of HR tried to interview me before engineering, but the VP of engineering actually kicked her out of the room. Eighteen months later, when they laid me off (as it turns out, it was a terrible company), the HR director tried to friend me on LinkedIn. When that didn't work, she tried Facebook.
Then in your follow up letter, quote their answer give examples of how you possess these characteristics. Here's a direct pull from a follow up letter I wrote, using this method:Imagine as best you can what West Point is looking for.
-This is a question I asked in every interview. "What characteristics does your ideal candidate have?" You mentioned that the strict common characteristics you expect from your team are "character and integrity, a 'belly fire' to be number one — I will be joining the 'A' team — and discipline." Please take a moment to read the letters of recommendation I have provided you, which I've attached electronically here. You will see that I possess all of those common characteristics.
I can't agree with the stress on timing more. Give yourself time to get there and breathe. #teampablo
For me to nail the "What's your biggest weakness" is to use something that's a negative that you'd like to improve upon, for instance saying something like: "I would like more experience with public speaking, because I have struggled with that in the past" or "I could use more practice in memorizing excel formulas, I'm always having to look that information up on Google!" or "I would love to be better at managing myself under pressure, I would love an opportunity to produce work that is well thought out and not rushed" Just for the love of gwad don't say "I would have to say I'm a complete perfectionist. I need to let the little details go." No hiring manager believes that even if it's the truth!