Acing Your Next Interview: Part 1

You guys know I'm all about "How to Stand Out" in your career.

This is important as a job seeker, as an employee, and as a co-worker.

Standing out among a sea of professionals who have the same education as you, same years of experience: it's CRUCIAL if you want to get ahead.

This newsletter edition is the first in a 4 part series: how to ace your next interview. I suggest you read these even if you're not interviewing because I'll be teaching you about some new AI tools, new job search techniques, and you might get inspired in other areas of your life.

So let's get into it: how to ace your next interview, part 1.

Tip #1: Research is Your Secret Weapon:

• Go beyond basic Google searches: Utilize tools like Perplexity AI to gain deeper insights into the company's mission, values, recent news, and even industry trends. If you want a quick tutorial by yours truly on Perplexity, click here.
• Weave your research into your answers: Show the interviewer you've done your homework and understand the company's landscape. Use any opportunity during your interview to SHOW the interviewer you've done research. An example could be, when they ask you "tell me about yourself": weave in the company's mission and values and how they align with your own for your career. Not only will the researcher know you've done your homework, they'll also see you as a great fit because your values align with the company.

Tip #2: Mastering the Initial Phone Screen:

• Speaking of the question: "Tell me about yourself": Craft a concise and compelling answer highlighting your past experience, current work, and future goals. Remember, less is more! Don't ramble, please. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see people making in interviews. I know you might be nervous, but don't word vomit on your interveiwer. You'll bore them.
• Showcase your enthusiasm and personality: While professionalism is key, let your passion for the opportunity shine through. Recruiters want to hire someone who is actually excited about the role. Show them you're excited with facial expressions, an enthusiastic tone of voice, and even tell them outright, "I'm really excited about this opportunity because..."
• Ask thoughtful questions: Demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and the role. Mention a new product you know they've launched, for example. When a recruiter hears familiar company jargon coming out of your mouth (like their product names or nicknames), you'll SEEM like you already work there. That is a psychology hack, use it to your advantage.

Tip #3: Beyond the Phone Screen:

• Tailor your approach: Research the specific individuals you'll be interviewing with and anticipate their potential questions. Look them up on LinkedIn before your interview. If you're worried they'll see you lurked their profile, it's actually to your advantage. They'll see you're interested in the role, and they'll get to check out your profile. If you can't find them on LinkedIn, try searching on Google: their first and last name + the city they work in + "LinkedIn", or the company name. (example google search: John Smith Boston Scientific LinkedIn or John Smith Minneapolis LinkedIn)
• Follow up with a thank-you note: Express your gratitude and reiterate your interest in the position. If you saw my viral LinkedIn post last year about "not sending thank you notes", allow me to explain my logic here. In a job seeker's market, where it's easy to get interviews and offers because there are a lot more jobs than job seekers, a thank you note isn't necessary. BUT I believe we're in an employer's market right now so anything you can do to set yourself apart, DO IT. But I'm not just suggesting to sending a boring old thank you note here. Anyone can do that. I want you to send a thank you video. Here is an example of one I've made so you can see what it looks like. Use Loom, use the free version, and structure your video this way: thank you for the opporutnity to interview, it was great chatting with you about X, Y, and Z, I'm really interested in this role and I'm looking forward to next steps.

Closing thoughts:

By following these tips and investing time in preparation, you'll be well-equipped to wow your interviewer and land that dream job! Remember, confidence and authenticity are key. Go out there and showcase your unique talents and value. (notice how I say SHOW, not just TELL)