Interviews Archives - Susan Ascher

How to Ace Your Next Behavioral Job Interview

If you are preparing for a behavioral job interview, your first question may be, “What is a behavioral interview?” Employers use this popular interviewing method to assess job candidates’ potential based on their behavior in past situations. The interview normally consists of questions that refer to how you responded to work situations with former employers, whereas a typical interview often only asks what you would do if you find yourself in a particular situation on the job you are applying for.

The technique’s concept is that your past actions are a predictor of how you will behave in the present position being offered. Behavioral interviews are 55% effective at predicting future behavior on the job, as opposed to traditional interviews, which are only 10% effective.

How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview

Behavioral interviews are a great tool. Here are two crucial aspects to consider when developing yours.

Consider past work experiences. As you begin prepping for your behavioral interview, it is best to start by thinking about specific situations you have faced in former positions and how you responded and handled the situation. The more compelling your stories are, the more likely you are to make an impression the prospective employer will remember. Problem-solving, dealing with stress, meeting goals, and conflict resolution are great situational examples in which you can express your response in a positive light. Consider that you may be asked questions regarding circumstances in which you would have acted differently, and be prepared with an answer stating what you would have done in hindsight.
Be prepared for questions you may not have thought about. You never know exactly what questions they may hit you with, so be ready to think on your feet. These “what if” questions may require you to be resourceful, focusing on your initiative and drive to succeed.

What Are Some Common Questions?

Employers often know what specific skills they are looking for in the applicants they choose to interview. Glassdoor says, “A behavioral interview is most effective when the interviewer already knows what he or she is looking for in a job candidate.” Some of the common questions you may expect often resemble these:

Explain a situation in which you worked well under pressure.
Give an example of a difficult situation you faced with a coworker and how you resolved the issue.
Tell about an unpopular decision you made and how you successfully handled its implementation.
Give an example of a goal you attained, and explain how you reached the goal.
Tell about a time you went above and beyond for an employer or client, what motivated you, and the results.
Give an example of when your schedule was interrupted and how you adapted to the situation.

If you face a behavioral job interview and wish to prepare with some personal coaching, Susan Ascher is ready to help you come out on top. Visit our website, or call (973) 919-8180 to find out how you can feel more comfortable going into your interview.

Additional Resources:
https://www.allbusiness.com/behavioral-interviewing-looks-beyond-a-candidates-resume-16699809-1.html
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-a-behavioral-interview
https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/job-interview-tips/why-you-need-to-prepare-for-behavioral-interview-questions
https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-prepare-for-a-behavioral-interview/
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/behavioral-job-interviews-2058575

Follow-Up Etiquette for Job Interviews

Determining when and how you should follow up with a prospective employer in the aftermath of an interview can be confusing, but if you neglect to get in touch at all, you may miss an excellent opportunity. Look at the following post-interview etiquette tips to gain a better understanding of the right way to follow up after your job interview.

Ask About Timelines

To follow up with an employer properly, you should have a basic understanding of the recruitment time-frame. A credible employer will give you an idea of when you should expect to hear back and what the next steps in the process are. Don’t leave the interview without asking how you should reach the potential employer once he or she has decided. If your interviewer does not provide this information, it is completely appropriate to ask for it. If you are truly interested in the position, the interviewer will take that question as sincere interest in the position.

Be Gracious

After an interview, always thank your interviewer for making time to see you. You don’t have to wait weeks to send a message after an interview. In fact, sending a brief thank-you email either the day of the interview or a day after an interview is the optimal way to show your gratitude, illustrate your sincere interest in the position, and ensure your interviewer keeps your name in mind.

If you want to add a personal touch to the message, briefly mention a project you discussed during the interview or a moment where you felt a connection with the hiring manager. Be sure to keep your message short and place the primary focus on thanking the hiring manager for his or her time.

When You Don’t Hear Back

In average situations, you should wait two weeks after an interview before reaching out for a status update. If you ask about recruitment timeframes before leaving your interview, you’ll have a better understanding of when you can plan on hearing back.

If the hiring manager told you to plan on hearing back in one week, but two have gone by without any contact, give them a couple of extra days from that time. Call or send your interviewer a short email to inquire about the status of the position. You may want to ask the hiring manager what the preferred method of communication is during the interview, so you can reach them through the appropriate channels and at the right time.

Whether you opt to email or call your interviewer, your message should briefly discuss your interest in the job and welcome him or her to contact you. Avoid using an urgent tone or becoming a pest. Asking someone to get back with you ASAP suggests your time is more important than theirs – a danger when looking for a job.

What Not to Do

When it comes to following up with an interviewer, never approach him or her in person without a direct invitation. You should also refrain from contacting an employer directly if you were originally working with a recruitment firm, as this contact tends to be inappropriate. It can cause both the employer and recruitment agency challenges.

As in the interview, be yourself, but professional. Whatever way you and the employer decide to communicate after an interview, approach it with appreciation that the organization considered you.

Additional Resources:
https://www.careerbuilder.ca/blog/2015/03/09/tips-for-good-interview-follow-up-etiquette/
https://www.visualcv.com/follow-up-after-interview/
https://www.inc.com/michael-schneider/how-to-write-perfect-post-interview-thank-you-note.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/what-you-should-do-after-a-job-interview-2017-6#4-analyze-how-you-did-4
https://www.wayup.com/guide/the-ultimate-guide-to-following-up/

Career Coaching Interviews

Interview Primer – 5 Tips for a Good First Impression

career coaching

We all want to present our best selves in job interviews.

Unfortunately, we all make mistakes, even if we’ve prepared adequately. Most of the time, interviewees aren’t aware they’re making a mistake. If you know what to avoid, you will impress your interviewer and have a better chance of getting the job you want.

Research the Company

Interviewers appreciate it when you walk in with company knowledge. You don’t have to know everything, but doing basic homework helps. Otherwise, it may seem you don’t care about the position or the company. Start with a simple Google search and lurk around the company’s website and social media sites. Get a feel for its workplace, mission, and culture.

Dress Well

Ideally, no one should judge you by the way you look, but we don’t live in an ideal world. How you dress says plenty about who you are. The wrong clothes leave a poor impression. How you dress should be dictate in part by the company you are interviewing with. This is when that company research will come in handy. For a company with a more relaxed culture and atmosphere, it’s best to wear business casual clothing. For women, this means a dress, a skirt that hits the knee or below, or tailored slacks with a nice blouse. For men, it means khakis or tailored dark trousers, a button-down shirt, and loafers. If you’re interviewing with a law firm or another professional services firm, they will expect business attire. Overall, do not wear excessive jewelry or makeup. Cover tattoos. Don’t even think of wearing sneakers or flip-flops.

Use Proper Phone Etiquette

An interview is not the time to answer your phone, respond to a text or get notified of a friend’s Facebook post. Consider shutting your phone off during the interview, or at the very least turn the ringer off. The interview is your chance to impress your potential employers and demonstrate the kind of employee they want to hire and retain for their business. Fixating on your phone could be interpreted as disrespectful and demonstrates a lack of interest. If an employer thinks you’re wasting their time, you have no chance of getting the job.

Do Not Bring Food or Drink

If you enter with food or drink, your interviewer will think you are focusing more on it than on the task. Eating or drinking during an interview also makes you look hurried and unprofessional. Finally, many interviewees use food or drink as distractions. They play with wrappers or fiddle with coffee cups. Such gestures tell the interviewer you lack confidence and focus. Finish eating and drinking beforehand.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Interviewers appreciate applicants who ask thoughtful questions. Ask about expectations, including how promotions are decided and what character traits the workplace needs most. If you’re replacing someone, politely ask why he or she left. Limit yourself to two or three well-thought-out questions.

Additional Resources:
https://www.thebalance.com/most-common-interview-mistakes-2061111
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/job-interview-mistakes

Interviews