5 Ways to crack the interview code (and land your dream job).

At most interviews, you feel like a sixteen-year-old out for your first date, i.e. nervous, apprehensive, and most likely stressed. Forget being nervous or apprehensive. Time to crack the interview code. The path to success is paved by mastering the tactics of Interview Prep to make a great impression.

Why first impressions count. Whatever the context, Personal Branding demands that we try to sell what we think is the best version of ourselves. Although we probably consider ourselves forthright when responding to the questions, many of us wouldn't hesitate to stretch a point or two if we think that we can gain an advantage.

Positive psychology teaches us to hold noble thoughts in our minds during any job interview. (The same is true if you have a school admissions interview.)

For example, no matter how true it is, no one would say, “I’m absent-minded and have an abhorrence for administrative paperwork” when an HR manager asks about your weaknesses. Some like to take out their old chestnuts, which may have worked in the past such as "I am a perfectionist": This classic knocks me back in the aisles because what this candidate is saying is that he or she doesn't know how to manage their time efficiently. We've done some investigative research among recruiters, HR mavens, and admissions committees. Here is what they have revealed:

Key job interview questions to optimise your performance

1) Describe what you did on your best day at the office. Schlemiel Jones, HR for Face Cake Inc. asks this question frequently. He explains that this question has the power to reveal the person's true talents and strengths, letting him or her better ascertain whether they are a good match for the organisation.

Since the details of any work routine vary, what most candidates do is shuffle ideas and facts around to try and invent the best day as a "typical" day. What the question brings to the fore is whether the candidate knows his or her "why". When a candidate shares with you their true motivation you can see at a glance whether they are inspired.

2) Tell me about your most significant achievement and what are you proud of most. When Maxwell Smart was a recruiter at GreaseBall, a video game start-up, he typically asked this question to tekkies. Many of them were flummoxed. You're probably wondering why. His answer is revealing exclaiming that "code monkeys" and other app builders go straight for their finest hour, i.e. an accomplishment that sounds great but when you scour the details fails to reveal their actual technical skills".

This is not so surprising because technical people as well as managers are often responsible for just a piece of a project. They did not design the project nor have a truly global overview of what the project entailed before it was a deliverable. Exaggerating skills are commonplace. Authenticity is lacking because no one is sure what to say. No amount of positive psychology is going to help on this one. Use your emotional intelligence, state the truth and nothing but the truth.

Now Max's technical question can be applied to any field by just slightly changing the words of the question. Management consulting and finance are two sectors where teamwork on projects is fundamental to their completion. When applying for any business school, there is a distinct tendency to avoid showing grit, rigour, or ownership. Everyone likes to think they are "the straw which stirs the drink". Clearly, the truth lies elsewhere to anyone with a keen eye for detail and veracity.

3) Why shouldn't I hire you? This is what we call questions from "left field". It is a term from baseball and denotes a corner of the playing field the farthest away from home plate. Although American in origin, this is the question most people are unprepared for because who would ask such a question in the first place? One of our colleagues, Dimitri loves this question.

The goal of this question isn't to kick the candidate into a snake pit filled with poisonous vipers. It makes the candidate address honesty, integrity, and self-awareness. Taking too long to respond puts the interviewer on notice. Dimitri has spoken volumes on this because his question can go to the heart of who the candidate is as opposed to the persona they are selling at the interview.

What Dimitri looks for is classic process communications. He can assess the candidate's psychology and emotional intelligence at play. It is what can be referred to as pattern recognition. Where do the candidate's examples come from? Are they from work or non-work-related experiences? Do they make sense? Are examples intuitive? If the candidate crosses his or her arms, alarm bells go off because the person is physically communicating defensiveness.

4) How did you prepare for this interview? I often use this question and refer to this as a "Rosetta stone" moment. Asking someone how they prep for something is quite insightful. Everyone preps. How they prep is another matter. Doing your homework might make you feel that you never left school, but it is essential to research the firm and its leading players in depth. From this, you can glean the corporate culture you might be about to enter. It also shows an astute quality aligned with perceptions. When you respond in this manner and tie the concept to precise details you send the great message: I care.

The same principle applies to business school interviews. Know the culture of the school like the lines on your palm. Every school has a unique culture and although programmes can appear similar, each MBA or master's programme is different.

5) What questions do you have for me? Every interview closes with this classic. This is done sometimes out of habit. However, it gives the interviewer the chance to see if the candidate is thinking along deeper lines than average candidates. The questions you come up with can say more about your capabilities than the questions you answer.

What are interviewers looking for? They are looking to see if you match the profiles they are recruiting. Your intellectual curiosity should be front and centre. It also underpins your motivation. Not having questions, shows a lack of clarity or interest. Asking dumb questions about information you can easily cull online is also unhelpful.

Your questions should be reflective, highlighting the "product" on offer. Most recruiters agree. I'll give you another example. Imagine a candidate saying, "What do you like about working here?" Now that's a great question that could even foster a conversation. Honesty, you can see is a two-way street.

Another question, we're fond of is "How do you define success?" or "What matters most to you and why?" These are questions nobody can hide from. They go to the root of what motivates an individual. Ask yourself are you looking to hire mere employees who just follow orders and imitate the worst in a corporate culture? Or are you looking for partners, people with whom you can trust and collaborate in a spirit of open exchange where risk and innovation are valued? I'll let you look into your heart to answer that one.

Key business school admissions questions and Kira exam

For business schools, all the pointers cited above apply. Many schools from undergrad to MBA now use the Kira exam (and/or a personal interview online). For those who are unfamiliar with this exam, it consists of a kind of lottery. Questions are flashed on the screen and you are given time to prepare and time to respond. Time is short. Times vary slightly from school to school. Each school provides you with practice tests, which I strongly advise prepping for.

Why the Kira exam? It gives more depth to your TOEFL score and it also tests your communications skills under pressure. Themes of the questions are about you, what you have done, business themes, and crazy questions that no one can truly prepare for. Let's jump in:

1) Tell me 3 ways to use a pencil.

Nobody expects this lalapalooza. The response must come from your heart. Here is an example: Take notes, and draw sketches of landscapes while on the Norman coast. Tie my geraniums to with a piece of string to keep them upright.

2) Tell us why online marketing is more powerful than offline marketing. This one is easy and a gift. Why? Where do you spend most of your time? Online. Classic business question.

3) Tell us about a time when a group didn't buy your ideas and what did you do to change the situation. A great question to see how persuasive you can be. Tests listening and team-building skills. Use a specific example and do not be vague or your answer collapses.

Lastly, let me leave you with a rather unorthodox thought: Imagine going to an interview is like going on a pilgrimage. You are mentally walking around a sacred place and having a rainbow bridge moment. Take this opportunity to reveal your true nature with authenticity.

Bringing it back home

Job interviews as well as interviewing for a school (undergrad, master's, or MBA) have their challenges. Most talented candidates seek professional assistance with their interview prep. There is no shame in doing so. Do not take the interview training process lightly and do not feel a sense of entitlement. What a great coach can do is get you up to speed, build your confidence, and see that you can handle yourself when the moment comes.

About the author

Andrew Scharf is an Award-Winning MBA Admissions Consultant and also offers ?? Executive Coaching ?? He is widely recognised for helping top performers and aspiring professionals be all they can be. His?mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world at Whitefield Consulting.