50 life hacks for a successful interview

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

I was asked to write five life hacks on how to successfully pass an interview. Eh, if everything were so simple and you only need to follow five tips … From this article you will learn 50 tips that will bring you closer to such a coveted position.

Of course, your professionalism and achievements are 80% of success in interviews, but five more people like you will come to the recruiter, which is why the 20% ingredients for success described below will help you bypass them.

Here, as in sports: only a split second separates the winner from the loser.

Go!

Suppose you have already prepared your resume, the next step is the interview.

1. Have a Successful Phone Interview

The very first call of a recruiter is not just a call, it is the first and most real interview. Already here you should shine:

• A smile in his voice.
• Find a quiet place right away.
• Repeat the name of the recruiter 3-5 times during communication, so as not to forget.
• Be ready to talk about the reasons for looking for a new job (further development, exhausted all possibilities, wife goes on maternity leave - decide).
• How much money do you want to receive.
• Will you be able to come for an interview at the specified time (if you are not ready to come for an interview within three days, the recruiter will have someone who will be ready).

2. Take a written interview

The battle must be won before the battle. You have no right to go to interviews without preparation. Your preparation is written, I emphasize, written answers to the questions that the recruiter will ask you.

It is for you a list of questions to be answered in writing:

• What is your greatest accomplishment at work? Now could you go back to that time and tell me all about it?
• What were the three or four biggest challenges to overcome?
• What was the result?
• When did this happen and in which company?
• How long did it take to solve the problem?
• What situation did you face when you started this project?
• Why exactly did you do this? Did you take the initiative yourself? Why?
• What was your position? Who worked with you on the problem? What position did your leader hold?
• What technical skills were needed to complete the task? What skills did you gain by completing the task?
• Describe the planning process, your role in it, and how the plan was adopted. Describe what went wrong and how you solved it.
• What was your role in this project?
• Give three examples of when you took the initiative. Why?
• What is the biggest change or improvement that has occurred?
• What was the hardest decision you had to make? How did you receive it? Was this the right decision? Would you change it if you could?
• Describe the environment - resources, your manager, level of professionalism.
• What is the biggest conflict you've faced? Who was he with and how did you solve him?
• Give examples of when you have helped someone or been a mentor.
• Give examples of when you really influenced others or forced others to change their minds.
• How has your personality changed or grown as a result of solving the problem?
• What did you like most and least of all?
• What would you do differently now if you could?
• What type of recognition did you receive for the project?
• Was it appropriate in your opinion? Why yes or no?

These questions were described in his book by the best author for recruiters Lou Adler (he is preparing a translation of the book into Russian).

By answering these questions, you will be 80% ready for the interview.

3. Collect recommendations from your referees

Sooner or later, the recruiter will ask you for a list of people who can recommend you. Be prepared to provide this list. But to avoid surprises, conduct a mini-interview with your referees. Ask them to go through a virtual interview with a recruiter and ask questions:

• What kind of relationship did the candidate have with the referrer?
• What position did both hold at that time?
• What is the current position of the referee?
• How long have they worked together?
• Please tell us briefly about the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate.
• How did the candidate's weaknesses affect the job?
• What are the main achievements?
• Can you give an example of a candidate taking the lead?
• How do you rate him as a manager on a 10-point scale? Can you give an example of such an assessment?
• How effectively did he work in the team (developed the team, if the position was leading)?
• How do you rate his professional knowledge and qualities on a 10-point scale? Can you give an example?
• Did the candidate handle the tasks on time? Can you give an example?
• Ask how the candidate feels about criticism and working under pressure. Ask how challenging the working environment is at the company.
• Is the candidate successful in making decisions? Can you give examples of his decisions and how he made them?
• Would you take him back to work? Would you like to work with this person again? Would you work under him? Why yes or no?
• How do you assess his character and personal values? Why?
• How does he compare to the rest of the staff in the same position? Why is it stronger or weaker?
• How would you rate this candidate's overall performance on a 10-point scale? What will it take to raise productivity by 1 point?
• What advice can you give this person?

4. Make a good first impression

Remember that the first impression is created in 5-10 seconds, and then it is very difficult to influence it. All training for recruiters is based on not taking into account the first impression of the candidate, and this is really hard. What's important:

• Say hello.
• Smile.
• Say you're glad to meet you personally.
• Don't be silent, tell me that you liked the office, the people you met, mark some detail of the interior.
• Smile all the time.
• Call the recruiter by name.
• Smile.
• Smile.
• Smile.
• Well, you understand.:)

5. Have some coffee

Usually coffee makes you a little more active, so if you are offered tea or coffee at the interview, then order coffee. Also, have a cup of coffee before your interview.

6. Imagine a goal

All athletes know that only visualization of their goal helps them become champions. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in all of his books and videos, talks about the importance of representing how you achieved your goal.

7. If you are nervous, take a sedative

If you’re the guy who’s so nervous that he’s unable to relax in the interview and have a casual conversation, just take a sedative. This will relax you, take away your worries and give you the opportunity to have a calm conversation.

8. Ask yourself, would you hire yourself?

After the interview, ask yourself this question. If not, understand what was wrong. Learning from your mistakes is what separates successful people from losers.

9. Study thoroughly the website of the company

In 50% of cases, one of the first questions will be "What do you know about our vacancy"? Get ready.

10. Read the most up-to-date book on your profession that you can find

This will give you the freshest knowledge. You will have something to show off at the interview.

11. Choose a time when you will not be called

When discussing interview times, choose when no one will call. You don't have to think about a possible call from a boss or an important client.

12. Schedule two hours even for one hour interview

Interviews are often delayed. If you are in a hurry, it will not present you in the best light.

13. Chew gum

Fresh breath during the interview is the key to success. But don't forget to throw away the gum before your interview.

14. Put on your finest watch

The watch always raises the status of a person. Do not miss the chance to show yourself if you are applying for a high position.

15. Have lunch

Physiologically, a person depends on the timely intake of food. It's hard to think on an empty stomach, and if the last meal was a long time ago, then stress and stress can cause a headache.

16. Answer yourself in writing to questions about wages

Answer these questions about your future salary:

• What is your desired salary level?
• What is your minimum wage?
• Name the level below which you are not ready to consider.
• And if you are offered a little less, under what conditions would you agree to accept the offer?

It is necessary to ask questions before the candidate begins to confidently refuse if an offer comes with this amount.

17. Decide what your motivation is

One of the main questions that a recruiter will want to find out: what is your motivation. The recruiter wants to understand:

• You will accept his job offer if he formulates it.
• You will work for the company for at least 2-3 years.
• You will solve the problems that you will face as you fight for your position.

18. Smile

The only thing you should remember from this article is the need for your sincere and timely smile in interviews.

19. Put on your favorite clothes

In an interview, it all depends on how you feel about yourself in the first place. It is this that is transmitted to the recruiter, and he forms his impression. Therefore, you need to make every effort to feel extremely comfortable.

Favorite clothes are one of the elements of your comfort. Of course, the dress code must be followed. But if a slight deviation from it gives you more comfort, then it's worth going for it.

20. Take a morning shower

Keep your head clean during the interview. In both men and women. Besides, you should feel yourself fresh. And of course, clean clothes and linen.

21. Arrive in 30 minutes

Even if you are 100% sure that you will be in time, always come earlier. Walk around the office, wait at the reception. Get used to the place, calm down.

22. Read a book before your interview

A good professional book will refresh your mind and give you the right interview ideas.

23. Listen to what the recruiter wants to know

Listen carefully to the exact question the recruiter is asking. Try to understand from the question how long and detailed the answer is needed and what to emphasize in it.

24. Adjust like an NLP. Come into resonance

Adapt to the tempo of speech, the timbre of the interlocutor, take a similar posture (but do not copy). Use the words the recruiter uses and his slang.

25. Learn about the dress code

Be sure to ask what the dress code is in the company, if in doubt. This will help you not get screwed up.

26. Go to the hairdresser

Many people overestimate their appearance, in particular their hair. Especially men. I highly recommend going to the hairdresser if you were there more than 2-3 weeks ago.

27. Rock

Seriously swing. Heavy sports increases the production of testosterone, the hormone of confidence. It is he who will help you feel better in the interview.

28. List 50 of your accomplishments

Not everyone remembers their achievements and are ready to spontaneously name them at an interview. But this is exactly what recruiters want to know about you - what you have achieved in your previous jobs.

29. Describe your vision of the future

This is where you should think carefully.

Wanting to know how you envision the future, the recruiter compares your vision and the capabilities of the company in order to understand whether you are on the way or not.

Understand for yourself what exactly you want from yourself in the future, and you will have something to tell the recruiter.

30. Get certified

Most professions now require certification (CFO, ACCA, PHR, CIM, ITIL, and so on). All these certificates immediately show the recruiter a certain minimum set of knowledge and give you a head start over other candidates.

31. Clean up your social networks

Yes, the higher and more serious the position, the higher the likelihood that the recruiter will look for you on social networks. Check what you have posted there.

32. Go to the toilet

It is trite, but if during the interview you have a desire, you will rush and start making mistakes.

33. Learn to Answer Google Questions

It is now fashionable to scold recruiters for "stupid" questions. At the same time, no one thinks about why recruiters ask them.

Let's try to sort out such questions. I found some of the fresh ones:

What they ask / For which vacancy the question was asked	What they want to evaluate
"Name 10 unusual things you could do out of a box of pencils." - Google assistant	Creative thinking Ability not to give up if the answer is not obvious
"How would you solve problems if you were born on Mars?" - Recruiter at Amazon	Logical thinking Ability to find causal relationships Ability to find risks and eliminate them
"What is the most creative way you can break a clock?" - intern at Apple	Creative thinking Ability not to give up if the answer is not obvious
"If you were a road sign, which one?" - Sales Agent at Pacific Sunwear	Also creativity Ability to see non-standard things in standard
“A top is spinning on the table. You have some pins. How can you tell which way it is turning?" - development engineer at Microsoft	Logics Knowledge of the basics of physics Creativity
“There are an infinite number of black and white dots on the plane. Prove that the distance between the black and white points is equal to one." - Technology Analyst at Goldman Sachs	Here the problem is not entirely obvious, since the unit of measurement is not indicated. The applicant is expected to start asking clarifying questions. Analytical thinking
“There is a bag containing N strings. You take the end of the string out of it, after the second, tie them together. Repeat the operation until the strings run out in the bag. How many loops will you get?" - intern in the Facebook business unit	Basic knowledge of mathematics
“Imagine a product or service that does not yet exist, but that could change people's perception of the world. How would you sell it?" - Interim Marketing Analyst at JP Morgan	Understanding the basics of marketing (Marketing mix, USP)
“You need to design a phone for the deaf. How will you do this?" - Product Manager at Google	Ability to solve non-standard tasks Logical thinking Creativity The ability to go beyond
Why shouldn't we hire you? - Twitter recruiter	Self-criticism and motivation test
“You need to design an elevator. What will it be?" - intern at Microsoft	Ability to ask additional questions Business and user orientation
“The giant attacked the village and caught 10 dwarfs. He lined them up in height, starting with the lowest. The giant randomly donned black and white hats on each of the gnomes. Each of them sees everyone standing in front, but not behind. The giant takes turns, starting with the tallest one, asks the dwarves about the color of their hat. If he guessed wrong, then the giant kills him. The dwarf standing behind him cannot understand whether the neighbor is dead or not. Before distributing the hats, the giant gives the dwarves a head start and allows them to discuss their actions. What strategy should the dwarves choose to make the least number of creatures die? How many gnomes have to die for the rest to survive?" - Quality Control Automation Engineer in BitTorrent	Logic, analytics, mathematics Finding the optimal solution
"Name as many Microsoft products as possible." - Assistant Consultant at Microsoft	Knowledge of the product line Applicant's interest in working for Microsoft
"Is this binary tree a mirror of itself?" - software engineer on Twitter	Basics of programming
"How would you cut a cake into eight equal pieces?" - intern in the investment department at AIG	Logics
"How much does the plane weigh?" - Operations Analyst at Goldman Sachs	Ability to make calculations from non-obvious data
"How would you describe a dynamometer to an eight year old child?" - Technician at Tesla Motors	Ability to simplify the description of complex mechanisms The ability to think simply
"Do you believe in higher powers?" - merchandiser at PepsiCo	Philosophical approach to life
“How do you calculate the collision of two moving spheres? Find a solution using both mathematical equations and algorithms." - Software Engineer at Electronic Arts	Knowledge of mathematics and algorithms
"What do you think about working in extreme weather all year round?" - tester at MTD Products	Stress tolerance

»

In short, recruiters ask these questions in order not to ask head-on: "Are you smart?", "Are you math friendly?" etc. In addition, questions like these make the interview a little more interesting.

34. Think about your hobbies

The dumbest interview question is the hobby question. But the recruiter just wants to know about you as a person, not an employee. Therefore, the first question that comes to mind is your hobby. Prepare to answer it in advance.

35. Write a letter. Thank and show what you can do

After the interview, write a letter. Thank you for the invitation, think about what you could show about yourself. Maybe your presentations, strategies developed earlier, or something else. This will remind the recruiter of you, show your interest, and this is always a chance to show examples of your work. Of course, remember the NDA and don't send confidential information.

36. Control the timing yourself

Recruiters are often busy and can forget about deadlines. It's okay if on the appointed day when the recruiter was supposed to answer you, you dial him at the end of the day and find out the status.

37. Tell me about other offers

If you have other job offers and they are quite real, tell the recruiter about them. The recruiter must understand that he should hurry up.

38. Haggle

If you are unhappy with the proposed salary, ask for more (if, of course, you have a reason and opportunity to do so). Do not reject the offer right away, say that it is interesting, but you need to reconsider the compensation.

39. Address the recruiter by name

Remember the name of the recruiter and always refer to him by name.

40. Try the company's product

Be sure to try the products (if possible) that the company makes. If you've tried them before, study them thoroughly.

41. Turn off your mobile phone

Turn off your phone before the meeting. If during the interview you are expecting an important call, reschedule the meeting for another time. Otherwise, there is no point in such a meeting, since your answer to the call during the interview is an instant failure.

42. Be yourself, do not try to pull on other people's shoes

Recruiters, if they have been in the profession for more than three years, immediately see candidates who are trying to pretend they are not who they are.

43. Talking about experience, connect with the mission and global goals of the company

Think not in the context of your work, but in the context of how it benefited the company. Link your success to the success of the company.

44. Recover before the interview

Get some sleep, cheer up, go to yoga, eat delicious food, buy yourself a gift - do something that will help you recover and raise your level of happiness.

45. Behave positively

Don't complain about your past job or boss, show optimism.

Nobody wants to hire losers.

Any disadvantages that you tell about your past work will be closely associated specifically with your person. Therefore, even if you worked in hell, focus on the positive aspects (it was warm, funny company).

46. Infect the recruiter emotionally

Strive to use emotional phrases. Read this article on how to be an emotional leader.

47. Look for things in common with the interviewer

People share common interests. Pay attention to details. Maybe you have the same iPhone or love fishing together. If during the interview you find something in common, pay attention to it, ask an additional question. This will make your contact more personal.

48. Show external recognition

If you have confirmation of external recognition (you entered the top 20 of the best in your profession, speak at conferences, write articles) - tell me about it, but without much emphasis. This will increase your professionalism in the eyes of a recruiter, not every candidate can boast of this.

49. Thank the recruiter, give a compliment

A recruiter is not an easy profession, since out of a dozen interviewed, he hires one, and the other nine hate him fiercely, because he did not see talent in them. They are called names, caught in any mistakes. A kind word from you, complimenting his behavior in interviews, questions and other things will be a huge plus.

50. Appreciate the recruiter who hired you

And the most important thing: do not have the illusion that the recruiter does not mean anything. That you are so cool that your boss took you to work. It was the recruiter who decided your fate. He showed your resume to your boss and sold you right. He helped you. Remember this when you work with him, and be elementary grateful.