Tag: interview

How to Answer: What are you Passionate About?

 The reason interviewers ask this question is because they’re trying to get a sense of who you are beyond your resume, and to know that you can commit to something and see it through to completion. This is a great chance for you to show what makes you a unique and well-rounded person and to demonstrate the value you could bring to the team!

Here are some interview tips that will help you nail this answer.

Talk about what excites you.

Your personal values and interests are part of what makes you unique, and talking about them is a great way of showing how your passions have shaped who you are both personally and professionally. Talking about what excites you is also a great way to humanize yourself in the interview and become more than just a resume. Plus, it’ll help the interviewer to remember you.

Show how you’ve made your passion a part of your life.

Whether you’re interested in animal rights or basketball, the passion itself is not as important as how you talk about it. Be specific and give the interviewer a sense of how that interest fits into your life. For example, if you’ve been an animal rights advocate for a long time and you volunteer at a shelter, explain how that experience has shaped you and what you’ve learned from it.

Say something like: “I’ve always loved animals and I had several dogs growing up. During my first semester of college, I started volunteering at the local animal shelter. I’m passionate about working with animals because so many pets end up abandoned and I want to help them find good homes.”

Pro Tip: Whatever your passion, make sure to clarify that devoting time to it won’t change the time and commitment you’re able to put into your work.

Show how your passions drive you to succeed.

Once you’ve established what your passions are and shown that you’re dedicated to them, talk about how those passions have driven you to succeed. This will show the interviewer that you’re able to use your personal interests to set goals and achieve them!

No matter what the passion, showing that you’re able to turn your interests into achievements is a great way to demonstrate long-term thinking and to show employers that you could help them meet their goals.

Say something like: “Volunteering has given me the chance to not only work with animals but to also learn about nonprofit organizations, which has given me hands-on experience of company operations and helped to shape my career goals.”

Answering “What are you passionate about?” is a great way of showing potential employers that there’s more to you than what they can see on a resume. In addition to showing that you’re a well-rounded person, it’s also a great way to prove that you’re able to set goals and achieve results based on those goals. Added bonus: You may find out you have some things in common with the interviewer!

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Dress for a Job Interview at a Bank and find answers to common interview questions such as What Gets You Up in the Morning?

How to Dress for a Job Interview at a Nonprofit

Unlike other business fields that have more clearly defined dress codes (such as a startup or a corporation), nonprofit organizations are kind of a mixed bag, ranging from more corporate organizations to ones that mimic the startup environment and culture.

Here are some tips that will help you start off on the right foot when interviewing for an entry-level job or a paid or unpaid internship at a nonprofit.

1. Research the organization’s culture

One of the best ways to find out what to wear to your interview is to check out the organization’s website and social accounts. These channels will usually give you an indication of how formal the nonprofit is and will often also give you some deeper insights into organization’s culture as a whole.

2. Stick to business casual attire

While a full suit may be too much for most nonprofit jobs, avoid wearing jeans or sneakers unless the hiring manager or HR contact says that it’s okay to do so. A casual interview outfit may be seen as reflecting a casual work attitude to a potential employer, and not in a good way. Instead, opt for a business casual look such as nice pants and a blouse for women or slacks and a button-down shirt for men. And remember to keep things subtle. That includes perfume/cologne, clothing, makeup and even accessories.

Pro Tip: Depending on the position, your interview could include making a quick trip to the program site so be sure to ask about this in advance so that you can properly prepare if need be.

3. If in doubt, ask the hiring manager

Although asking the hiring manager what to wear might seem a bit intimidating, it’s important to remember that it’s always fine to do so. In fact, it’s a question they get asked on a regular basis and one that they’re comfortable answering. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can say something like: “I want to make sure that I’m dressed appropriately for the interview. Do you have any suggestions for suitable attire?”

4. Wear comfortable shoes

If there’s one constant piece of advice when it comes to interview attire, it’s this one: Wear your most appropriate and most comfortable pair of shoes. Good-looking, polished shoes convey attention to detail and this is something that hiring managers almost always notice. So remember not to skimp out when it comes to your footwear.

Interviewing for a role at a nonprofit is a unique experience. Depending on the organization, it could be a very formal or informal process. Regardless of how informal the nonprofit might be, show the interviewer that you respect them by dressing professionally. A clean, attractive appearance shows that you’re truly interested in the position and that you’re going to take it seriously if hired.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter and find answers to common interview questions such as Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.

How to Answer: Are You Willing to Relocate?

“Are you willing to relocate?” is one of the common interview questions you should be prepared to answer when you land an interview for a full-time, entry-level position. Typically, if relocation is required for a position, this is mentioned in the job description. But even if it’s not, it’s important to have a response ready in case it comes up during your interview.

Employers have several reasons for asking this question. The first, of course, is that the position you’re applying for does require you to move, or may require a transfer later on. But the interviewer may also be testing your commitment and enthusiasm for the role and the company, as well as your flexibility. Whatever the employer’s motivation for asking, you can answer honestly and still position yourself as an asset to the company.

Here are some tips for preparing your answer.

How to Answer “Yes”

If you’ve read the job description, assessed your situation and are willing to relocate, this answer is an easy one. In addition to revealing your willingness to relocate, you can also use this question as an opportunity to demonstrate what you know about the company, as well as remind the interviewer about the qualities that make you a strong candidate for the position.

Say something like: “Based on my skills and experience in this industry, I’m a good fit for this position and I’d be happy to relocate for the opportunity to work with your company.”

How to Answer “Maybe”

This is a valid answer, particularly if you don’t know what a relocation would entail. Would it be temporary or permanent? Would you be able to continue advancing your career? Will the company be helping you financially with the relocation? It might also depend on the location. Maybe you are willing to move within the United States but not internationally. If and when you receive a job offer, be sure to follow up with questions that will help you understand the specifics of the relocation.

Say something like: “I’m certainly interested in opportunities to advance my career. If a relocation would allow for that type of opportunity, I’m happy to consider it. Would this be for the New York or San Francisco office?”

How to Answer “No”

It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker if moving is not an option for you. You can be honest and present yourself as open to the idea in the future. When you answer, remain positive and explain your circumstances.

Say something like: “Unfortunately, moving is not an option for me right now. However, I can promise total commitment to the role. My circumstances may change in the future, and I would certainly consider it then.”

Having a ready answer to the question “Are you willing to relocate” demonstrates to the interviewer that you’ve thoughtfully and thoroughly prepared for the job interview. Whatever your answer, remain confident and focused on what you have to offer.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look for In an Internship and find answers to common interview questions such as If I Asked Your Friends to Describe You, What Would They Say?

How to Answer: How Do You Handle Pressure?

You’ve started preparing for your interview and you can clearly articulate what motivates you, and the strengths that you will bring to the team. But what do you do if the interviewer wants to get a sense of how you fare when things get tough: “So tell me, how do you handle pressure?” she asks.

This common interview question, which you’ll encounter during more interviews for an internship or entry-level job, is designed to test a few things. Employers want to know that you don’t let the stress of high-pressure moments (which are inevitable in any work environment) get to you and can still perform well. Additionally, your answer to this question allows employers to see how you get your best work done and how stress affects you.

To nail this question, it’s important to understand and explain the situations that can stress you out, illustrate how you manage your reaction to that stress, and then give a real-life example of how you dealt with stress. Your answer should be honest, but definitely with a positive spin.

Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing your answer.

Talk about a time when you faced serious pressure.

Think about a time in your life when you felt truly overwhelmed. If you’re an athlete, maybe this was during the run-up to a big game. Another great example is the pressure of finals that students face every semester. Whatever example you choose, outline the situation and explain why it was a high-pressure moment for you.

Pro Tip: Avoid examples where the pressure or stress was due in part to your own shortcomings (i.e. “I didn’t budget enough time ahead to study for the final exam, but buckled down and ended up doing well”). Instead, choose an example that shows how you were able to rise to a challenging occasion.

Give concrete examples of how you deal with the situation.

Once you’ve identified the moment of pressure, outline the steps you took to address it. Be sure to include the way you assessed the situation and the plan you put in place to get through it. Be specific and provide details that will help to highlight the outcome.

Show how these steps helped you meet your goals.

After outlining process you put in place to deal with the moment of pressure, talk about how you were able to resolve the situation and meet your goals.

Say something like: “I find that when I have multiple projects and deadlines at the same time, I’m at my most productive. I’m careful to prioritize tasks and to structure ways for me to manage my time and energy proactively. Last semester, I had three final projects and a presentation due in the same week. I knew that I would need to be diligent with every moment of my day to set myself up for success. I created a weekly calendar that outlined the time needed to complete each project, the time needed to practice the presentation in front of my peers and time for sleeping and going to the gym. Having it all planned out minimized unnecessary stress and allowed me to focus on execution, which was the most exciting part for me.”

By specifically highlighting how you’ve responded well to pressure in the past, you’ll show the interviewer that you’re ready to take on even the toughest parts of the job, getting you one step closer to closing the deal.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 7 Phone Interview Tips  and find answers to common interview questions such as What Excites You About This Industry?.

How to Answer: Tell Me About an Accomplishment That You’re Most Proud Of

One of the keys to a successful job interview is being able to highlight your accomplishments. When the hiring manager asks a question such as, “Tell me about an accomplishment that you’re most proud of,” they’re interested in finding out what you’ve achieved and what matters to you. This is a time when your interviewer wants you to show off, so don’t be shy. Make sure to come prepared with at least one example of your accomplishments, and use the S.T.A.R. method (which stands for situation, task, action, result) to describe your experience.

Here’s what to keep in mind as you prepare your answer.

Outline the situation

Think of something you’re truly proud of accomplishing. Whether this accomplishment happened in school, at a previous job or internship, or even during an extracurricular activity (like on a sports team), start your answer by talking about the events that led up to the moment. For example, if you’re most proud of leading your debate team to win Nationals, explain the situation that led up to that.

Talk about the task

Next, outline the task itself. Focusing on the debate team example, if were you in charge of motivating everyone with an epic speech or staying up all night to practice with a struggling teammate, this is the time to mention that. Explaining your role in the situation creates context for the story and gives the interviewer an idea of how you handle responsibilities and what you’re able to achieve.

Explain the action you took

Once you’ve outlined the task at hand, explain the steps you took to achieve your goal. Use one or two examples to back up your answer and show how these added value to the situation. For example, you can mention the plan that you created to keep everyone motivated and explain how you put it into action.

Highlight the results

Finally, be sure to mention the successful outcome and explain why you consider it to be your greatest accomplishment. The outcome itself doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge win, but it should be something that you’re truly proud of and that reflects well on you.

Say something like: “During my junior year, I led my debate team to Nationals after a successful season. I was in charge of making sure the team was still motivated and on top of their game after a pretty long season. I came up with a gameplan that combined debate practice with team building, dedicating extra time to two team members who didn’t have as much experience. We ended up winning Nationals and had an amazing time in the process.”

By following the S.T.A.R. method, you’ll be able to show off your biggest accomplishment and show the hiring manager that you’d be an asset to the team.

What to Do After You Get a Job Offer

Nice work! You got a job offer. However, before you celebrate too much, it’s important to note that your interactions with the company now are just as important as your interactions with the company during the interview process. After all, if you do decide to work for this company, you want to make a great impression every step of the way.

Typically, job offers will come via phone call (or voicemail, if you don’t answer). Here are some steps to take if you get a job offer on the phone:

If the person leaves you a voicemail:

1. Listen to the voicemail from start to finish, and write down any important notes. Listen one more time to make sure you have all details written correctly. Assuming they ask you to call them back at a specific time, call them back at that time, and follow the steps directly below.

2. If they do not tell you to call them back, then email them within 24 hours to thank them, and say that you are excited to learn more details about the offer over email.

If you are on a live phone call with them:

1. Thank the employer graciously and tell them how excited you are to have received an offer of employment. (They probably spent a lot of time choosing you over other candidates, so it’s nice if you let them know that you appreciate their time!)

2. While on the phone, ask the employer about any deadlines you should know about. For example, when do you need to let them know if you formally accept the job offer?

3. If they have not mentioned information about salary (or benefits) on the call, ask them when they plan to follow up by email with more details. Tell them you’re excited to learn more about the offer.

Pro Tip: Unless the offer is in writing, it’s not official. Make sure you get everything in writing!

4. If they DO mention salary information on the call, and you are surprised or confused, ask them if they can email you the information, and tell them you may follow up with questions for clarification.

Pro Tip: The offer phone call is not the time to negotiate. You should make sure you have everything in writing first.

5. For ways to negotiate or ask questions about your offer, see How to Negotiate a Job Offer.

Some employers prefer to extend a job offer in writing.

If you get a job offer by email:

1. Send them an email within 24 hours (the sooner, the better!) to thank them.

2. If the offer’s details (such as the start date, salary, deadline to accept, etc) are included in the offer email, then read through all information thoroughly. Reply with any questions you may have.

3. If the offer details are not included in the initial email, mention that you are excited to learn more about the offer when you email them to thank them. You can also ask about when you should expect to receive more details, such as the official offer letter and start date.

Here is one example of a “thank you” note:

Dear Ms. Blocs,

I just received your voicemail; thank you so much for extending me an offer to the Boogity Bank internship program for this summer. It means the world to me that your team believes I’m a good fit for Boogity Bank.

One quick question: When can I expect to receive more details about the offer? I’d love to review the offer letter and understand the timeline by which I must inform Boogity Bank of my final decision.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you so much again,
Katie

Final Pro Tip: If you have a question about something in the offer letter, don’t be afraid to ask your main point of contact (usually someone in HR). It’s vital that you understand all that details of your offer ahead of signing so that you don’t find yourself quitting after one week!

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Check in With a Recruiter When You Haven’t Heard Back and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Weaknesses?

How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Work Here?

One of the most common job interview questions you will encounter is fairly straightforward: “Why do you want to work here?” The question allows the interviewer to learn if you’ve done your homework about the organization, assess your current career needs and decide if you’re a good fit for the company. It also helps them to get a sense of your passion for the role and for your future career.

The question may seem like a trick question, but it’s not. It’s also not one you should answer spontaneously. Instead, you should plan a thoughtful, concise and appropriate answer in advance.

Here’s what you should keep in mind when preparing your answer.

Focus on an aspect of the company that you admire and explain how that resonates with you.

You may be tempted to answer this question frankly, but saying that you “need the money” or “saw that the company was hiring” will not give the interviewer any insight into who you are. Every person your interviewer calls in to discuss the position has bills to pay, too. Instead, focus on why you chose to apply to this particular company. Be sure to mention something specific such as the company’s main product or one of their core values.

Say something like: “I’m graduating this spring, so when I was thinking about my first full-time job, I decided I wanted to work at a company that makes a product I truly believe in. Your company’s user demographic is people ages 18 to 25, and as a person within that age group and an avid user of your product, I think I could represent the brand well as a PR and communications specialist.”

Highlight your skills and explain how they’re relevant to the position.

Next, set yourself apart by highlighting your skills and elaborating on your strengths and experiences. If you have particular experience with the company’s target demographic or the main skill set required for the role, be sure to mention that.

Say something like: “I was a brand ambassador for two years in college, so I know the best ways to increase brand awareness and sales, and to be the voice of a brand.”

Connect your career goals to the brand.

Once you’ve demonstrated your passion for the brand and shown how your experience relates to the role, be sure to mention how your career goals align with those of the company. The key is to show that you’re passionate about working for this particular company — not a competitor or simply any company in the field.

Here’s how to bring it all together:

“I’m graduating this spring, so when I was thinking about my first full-time job, I decided I wanted to work at a company that makes a product I truly believe in. Your company’s demographic is people ages 18 to 25, and as a person within that age group and an avid user of your product, I think I could represent the brand well as a PR and communications specialist. I was a brand ambassador for two years in college, so I know the best ways to increase brand awareness and sales, and to be the voice of a brand. Your company’s dedication to empowering young people struck me in particular, and it seems like a great fit in terms of me being able to provide valuable insights and expertise while working for a brand that believes in what I can bring to the table.”

By showing that you’re knowledgeable about the company and that your values align with theirs, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the role and stand a great chance of impressing the interviewer.

 

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Get a Letter of Recommendation and find answers to common interview questions such as Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

How to Handle Back-to-Back Interviews

Back-to-back interviews can be stressful, but they’re also a good sign that an employer is interested in you as a candidate. What are back-to-back interviews? They’re a series of interviews where you meet with multiple team members one after the other. Back-to-back interviews are different from panel interviews because you’re meeting with team members individually rather than all at once. And although having several interviews in one day can be a little intimidating, it’s also a great way for you to showcase your skills and demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for a particular role.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for back-to-back interviews.

1. Bring several copies of your resume.

Being able to communicate your skills and experience effectively during an interview begins with highlighting the key points in your resume. Since you’ll be meeting with several decisionmakers throughout the day, having multiple copies of your resume available will ensure that they’re each able to get a sense of who you are and whether you’d be a good fit for the team. As an added bonus, having multiple copies of your resume will show potential employers that you’re well-prepared and enthusiastic about the interview, characteristics that are likely to impress everyone you meet during the hiring process.

Pro Tip: Offering the interviewer a copy of your resume is a great way to start the interview, especially if they walk into the room empty-handed.

2. Learn the names and backgrounds of everyone you’ll be interviewing with.

Knowing who the decisionmakers are is a must for any interview and especially one where you’ll be interviewing with multiple people on the same day. To get this information, ask the hiring manager or HR contact for the names and titles of all the team members you’ll be meeting. Once you have a list, do some research by checking out the company website to learn about their roles and be sure to also do a quick Google search for each person to learn more about them and what they do at the company.

Pro Tip: Saying each interviewer’s name a few times during the interview is a great way to put the person at ease and make them feel comfortable. Once you’ve established a good connection, ask them questions based on their experience and background. This will emphasize your interest in the role and show your genuine excitement about being part of the team.

3. Ask for a glass of water.

Since back-to-back interviews involve a lot of talking, asking for a glass of water at the beginning of the interview process will ensure that you won’t get a dry throat as you’re talking and that you’ll be able to perform at your best during each interview. And if you need time to come up with an answer, taking a sip of water can also buy you some extra time.

4. Stay relaxed and pay attention to your body language.

It’s normal to be a little nervous during an interview, but you really don’t be. In fact, being relaxed during the process will demonstrate that you’re confident and enthusiastic about the role. To ensure that you come across as confident, keep your voice even and sit up straight. If you really need to relax, you can also silently count to ten or focus on your breathing.

5. Be prepared to answer the same question several times.

Since you’re meeting with multiple team members, know that you might have to answer the same question(s) more than once. This isn’t because you did anything wrong; it’s because different people are trying to get to know you and your qualifications. Some companies also have interviewers ask the same questions to test their candidates for consistency. Be honest and keep your answers more or less the same for each interviewer. You want to communicate a clear and consistent message and work/academic history.

Back-to-back interviews are a great way to make a good impression on multiple team members at once and a sure sign that a company is interested in bringing you on board as an employee. By coming to the interviews confident and prepared, you’ll be sure to put your best foot forward and get one step closer to landing the job.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter and find answers to common interview questions such as How Do You Handle Pressure?

What to Do When You Want a Second Job Offer

You have been interviewing for an entry-level job with both Company A and Company B for the past few weeks. Company A is by far your top pick, but you’re still two weeks away from finding out their decision. Meanwhile, you have an offer from Company B and need to give them a response soon. What do you do?

The most important thing is what not to do. You should never accept a job offer that you don’t plan to see through. Reneging, or going back on a contract or promise, is often perceived as very unprofessional and is likely to burn bridges. Employers talk, so you want to make sure that when you’re accepting an offer, you are fully committing to that company and that you’re putting your best foot forward. So you if you don’t accept Company B’s offer right away, what should you do instead?

Ask for more time to make a decision.

Tell Company B that you’re very interested but need more time to think over the offer. Most companies will allow you a couple of days or a week to decide. If you start asking for more than a week, a hiring manager may think you have other options in play and question your interest and level of commitment, so timing this well is important.

Here’s what you can say in your email: “Thank you so much for extending me an offer for the position of X. It means the world to me that your team believes I’m a good fit for Company B. I wonder if I could have until Friday to get back to you on this opportunity.”

Let Company A know that you have another offer.

Once you’ve emailed Company B asking for more time, be sure to reach out to Company A right away. Let Company A know that they are 100% your first choice, but that you just received an offer from Company B and need to let the other company know if you’ll accept their offer in X number of days.

Here’s what you can say in your email: “I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to work at Company A and the position at your company is by far my top choice. I received an offer earlier today from another company and have to give them an answer by the end of the week. I know we initially scheduled my final interview for ___, but would it be at all possible to reschedule to an earlier time? Thank you again for your consideration, and I’m very eager to follow up soon.”

If you are a competitive applicant that Company A is highly interested in, it’s very possible that they will find a way to speed up the process and get you an answer sooner.

If you don’t get a second offer immediately, don’t panic.

But what if Company A still isn’t able to give you an answer before you have to tell Company B your final decision? This is a definite possibility. If Company A doesn’t budge on their timeline, it leaves you leaves you with a tough decision to make. Do you decline Company B’s offer and hold out with the hopes that Company A will pull through? Or do you take Company B’s offer, minimizing the overall risk and opting for a solid, albeit not ideal, option?

This is something only you can decide. That said, you can trust that you have handled this situation with the professionalism and graciousness that all employers want their employees to embody.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Turn Down a Job Offer and find answers to common interview questions such as Would You Work Holidays And/Or Weekends?

5 Things You Must Do To Prepare for a Video Interview

More and more, recruiters are conducting interviews over video chat. It’s a very efficient and cost-saving way for recruiters to meet candidates, and it’s a convenient way for candidates to attend interviews. To give yourself the best chance of success, you should plan on treating your video interview the same way you would treat an in-person interview. Approach it with the same level of care and preparation, because it holds just as much weight.

Here are 5 tips to ensure that you nail your video interview.

1. Dress Professionally

“Dress for the job that you want to have.” Not only will this help your interviewer picture you in the role that you’re interviewing for, but it will help put you in the right mindset. Just because you’re not meeting your interviewer in the flesh does not mean you should take this as an opportunity to wear your sweats. They can still see you over the camera and you should make sure that you make a great first impression by wearing something appropriate for that position. For example, if you’re interviewing at a startup, a nice t-shirt and jeans is probably okay, and if you’re interviewing at a bank, you should be business casual.

2. Test the wifi and service beforehand 

Your interviewer will likely suggest a service like Skype or Google Hangout to conduct the interview. To ensure that there are no last-minute surprises, download the software and make an account at least a day prior to the interview. That way, if something isn’t working for you, you can politely reach out to your interviewer to let them know ahead of time. Also, make sure that you have a strong internet connection. You definitely don’t want to be cutting in and out during the interview.

Pro tip: Practice with a friend. Ask a friend to hop on the same service to test out the audio and visuals ahead of time so that you can be assured that you’re set up for success.

3. Don’t interrupt.

It can be tricky to read body language over video chat to know when your interviewer is done speaking and it’s your turn. Make sure to avoid talking over them by waiting one or two seconds after they’ve finished before giving your answer.

4. Use your computer, NOT your phone.

Though it may be tempting, your phone is not the correct device to conduct your interview on. You should be sitting at a level desk or a table. If you don’t have a personal computer, try checking one out of your school’s library and getting set up there.

5. Make sure your background isn’t distracting.

It’s fine to conduct your interview in your personal space, as long as it isn’t too personal. A pile of dirty laundry or books on your bed isn’t going to make a good impression. Instead, try to make your background as neat and non-distracting as possible. If you’re having trouble with this, try booking a private study room in your school’s library to take the interview.

With these tips, you should feel confident in your ability to impress the interviewer and nail the interview.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Write a Thank You Note After An Interview and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Strengths?