Hire a Top Performer Every Time with These Interview Questions. Hiring the right people is extremely hard. Not only is the market tightly constrained — especially for tech companies, but the unwritten rules for how to hire are often plain wrong. With more candidates who “look good on paper” going on to flounder at startups, it’s time to rethink what qualities actually make someone a great employee. As the co-founder and CEO of Koru, an immersive business-training program designed for newly-minted job seekers, Kristen Hamilton works to bridge the gap between graduation and employment, and place people in jobs where they’ll excel. Working with candidates who lack real-world experience has had a surprising byproduct — she now has a crystal clear sense of the skills and traits that make people great performers. Hamilton has channeled this knowledge into a new paradigm for what a high-impact hire looks like and how to find one. As such, Koru doesn’t put much stock into typical metrics like college rank or GPA.
Aim for consistency. Hire a Top Performer Every Time with These Interview Questions. Hiring the right people is extremely hard. And with more candidates who “look good on paper” going on to flounder at startups, it’s time to rethink what qualities actually make someone a great employee. As Co-founder and CEO of Koru, the business-training program designed for newly-minted job seekers, Kristen Hamilton helps place people in jobs where they’ll excel.
Working with candidates who lack real-world experience has had a surprising byproduct: She now has a crystal clear sense of the skills and qualities that make people great performers. In this exclusive interview, she shares specific interview questions and tactics startups can use to make sure they’re not just hiring the candidates with traditional markers of success, but rather the ones who will actually do an incredible job. Read on to learn: The 7 traits you need to look for that determine how well someone will do on-the-job. Did someone forward you this email? Popular Reads Speed as a Habit. How I Conquered the Art of Phone Interviewing. Phone interviews, much like isosceles triangles, are special beasts. I’ve never liked phone interviewing. Yes—I’m a card-carrying member of a club that probably includes almost everyone—but I’ve found phone interviews specifically more difficult than, say, public speaking, advocating for my ideas in the workplace, or negotiating with my landlord.
I’m actually relatively comfortable in situations that require a degree of confidence and assertiveness, so I haven’t ever had much trouble with in-person interviews. I’ve just found that I tend to falter specifically in a phone interview setting. Unfortunately, phone interviewing is an essential skill. These days, a phone interview is often a non-negotiable prerequisite to an in-person interview. With that in mind, I recently resolved to discover exactly why phone interviewing is not my friend (“kryptonite” seemed overly self-important) and find out how I can make strides towards conquering it. Can you tell me a bit about yourself? 1. 2. 3. 4. The 8 Most Impressive Questions You Can Ask in a Job Interview. Job interviews are a two-way street. The hiring manager asks the applicant questions to figure out if they’re the ideal candidate, while the interviewee asks the employer questions to figure out if they’re the right fit.
But even when the hiring manager is the one in the hot seat, they’re still evaluating you as a potential employee. So it’s imperative that you ask good, smart questions—ones that will impress the interviewer. [Related: Preparing Strong Questions to End a Job Interview] Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable Local and author of Likeable Social Media, recently asked a few of his friends at the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs, to share the one most impressive interview question applicants have asked (or that they wish applicants would ask).
He published their responses (as well as his own favorite question) in a recent LinkedIn post. Here are our favorites: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Exactly What to Do if You’re Stumped During an Interview. When you don’t know how to answer a question during an interview, the silence can seem excruciating. You might even wish the floor would open up and swallow you whole. Not to worry, though—keep these tips in mind the next time you’re strapped for an answer. 1. Calm down. First of all, the most important thing to do is stay calm. 2. You should not tell the interviewer you don’t know the answer without mulling it over. 3. Maybe it’s the question you don’t understand. 4. If you do have some knowledge of the question, then take the time to tell your interviewer what you do know of the situation. 5.
Even if you don’t know what the answer is, you can tell the interviewer the steps you would take to figure out the problem. 6. Although we mentioned not admitting to the interviewer that you don’t know the answer, there is an exception to this rule. 7. The follow-up email for an interview could become your second chance. This article originally appeared on POPSUGAR. 4 Skills That Sound Super Impressive During a Job Interview. If you’re in job search mode or even keeping your eye on job openings just in case, then you’re probably wondering what you can do to really get the attention of someone who can give you a job. LinkedIn looked into that very question and analyzed over 330 million member profiles to see which skills are the most important in the job market. The result was that the vast majority of the 25 “hottest” ones were tech-related. Those top skills included things like mobile development, digital marketing, Ruby, and user interface design. So, fine. Now you know that tech skills are important.
But what tech skills should YOU learn to start working towards a new or better career? What will get you—and keep you—the job of your dreams? And what should you do if you don’t know the first thing about tech, let alone anything about user interfaces? Well you don’t have to become the next Mark Zuckerberg or an encryption expert or even a “rockstar digital unicorn” to take advantage of tech in your career. 1. The Perfect Way to Respond When Asked, “What Are Your Salary Requirements?” The question “What are your salary requirements?”
Can strike fear into the eager hearts of job seekers. Here, a reader asks for advice on how to respond: Our answer: Your salary requirements are quite simply, and honestly, negotiable. You don’t have a salary history to divulge, so you really are at a jumping-off point, and your salary will be based not only on what is a fair number but also on the other benefits offered. [Related: Levo’s 2015 Entry-Level Salary Report] If asked for your requirements in a cover letter, write, “My salary requirements are negotiable.” [Related: Which City Has the Smallest Pay Gap?] It’s also likely that you will be asked about salary during your interview. A 3-Step Plan for Turning a Job Rejection Into an Opportunity. After acing multiple rounds of interviews, daydreaming about how you’re going to decorate your office, and basking in the warm feeling of having finally found “your people,” you’ve just opened an email that says, “Thank you for applying, but...”
Bummer. But before you send a strongly worded email, order a glitter bomb, or dissolve into a puddle of self-pity, take a deep breath and try to read the situation for what it is: You got really close. Final round interviews typically mean you’re competing with only one or two other people. The hiring manager likely remains very impressed with your skills, but for some reason—which may or may not even be related to you—gave the role to someone else. Don’t throw away all the effort you’ve put into this company by moving on without responding. This might not be exactly the opportunity you were envisioning, but it’s an opportunity nonetheless. 1.
First things first: Say thank you. 2. 3. You never know what this simple request could lead to. 5 Questions To Ask In A Job Interview. Job interviews aren’t only about impressing the interviewer; they’re about sparking a new relationship with your future employer. The key to a successful interview is to keep the interviewer talking.
Sure, while you want to share why you’re the best candidate for the position, you also don’t want to dominate the interview. On the other hand, if it seems like there’s a lull in the conversation, you also want to keep the conversation going. Maintaining conversation during a job interview can be hard to do. Even if you write a list of five or 10 questions, the interviewer may not have much to say. If you’re stumped on what questions you should ask, here are five questions that will keep your interview going: 1. This is a great question to ask to learn more about the interviewer on a personal level. When asking this question, you’ll also determine whether this job is the right fit for you. 2.
This is another question that has the potential to get the interviewer excited about their job. 3. The Right (and Wrong) Way to Ask Someone to be a Reference. “Iris listed you as a reference,” the caller said. My stomach dropped—Iris hadn’t said anything to me about job hunting, had she? I waffled. “Umm, I’d like to help you, but can you give me a little more information about the job she’s applying for?” The caller refused, citing privacy laws, and hung up—without my recommendation. Iris was my former employee, and I would gladly have recommended her if I’d had any warning, but caught off guard, I fumbled. Iris had made one of the biggest blunders a job seeker can make: She provided references without checking with them first, setting herself up to look less-than-stellar when those references were called.
You’ve already done the hard work of earning good references. Start Yesterday Then, narrow down your list. Choose Wisely When you select references, choose people who will speak well of your qualifications, accomplishments, and character—and who are articulate and can explain them clearly to a recruiter. Ask Nicely Make it Easy Keep it Simple. How to Do a Video Interview or Conference and Look Natural. If you’re like me, you cringe at the sound of your voice on your outgoing message. So, the thought of filming yourself (for any reason) isn’t one you relish. But hey, we live in a time when YouTube is the number two search engine in the world. Video content is climbing onto a powerful throne. Top companies are picking up the trend and harnessing the power of video to screen, interview, and connect with top talent. Short of hopping into a time machine, there is no avoiding the video-centric communication as a modern job hunter, so kill the camera-shy nerves and nail four of the most common video-related career scenarios. 1.
Videos resumes are not for the faint of heart—but done right, they can give you a leg-up over your competitors. No matter how you go about it, here are a few pointers to keep you looking good: When you speak, picture someone in front of you (you’ll sound more natural).Keep it short and sweet: Your talk should be relevant for your audience. 2. 3. Test the app! 4. Interview Tips for a Role You're Underqualified For. So, you applied for a job even though you didn’t quite meet the requirements, and your fabulous cover letter landed you an interview. Nice job! At first, you feel pretty awesome—it’s nice to know that someone recognizes your potential!
And then it dawns on you: There will be an interview. Meaning, you’ll also need to interview for a role that’s slightly out of reach. Thankfully, just like there are tricks for phone interviews and panel interviews, there are ways to prepare for—and shine in—a reach interview. Here’s your two-step plan. Step 1: Know (and Nail) The Basics Secret Weapon: Find an Inside Source Even if you’re a little light on experience, your application can squeak by to the interview round if it has “something special.”
How can you prove you’re up to the challenge? Well, you’ll need the scoop on what anyone in the position would know—and you’ll need it from an insider. Check Out Amazing Companies Hiring Now Step 2: Make the Leap From Transferrable to Additive Skills. Interview preparation > Apply to Bain. Bain uses a combination of case, written case, and experience interviews in our consultant candidate selection process depending on the local office and the position you're applying for. This page offers some advice to help you prepare for the different scenarios and please also check our #BainVoices blog for some further tips from people who've been through the process.
Interview prep video: Different answers to the same interview question This video shows examples of 5 case and 2 experience questions, with 3 different answers to each question. Watch each question and set of answers and see if you can figure out which answer is the best and why, then hear a Bain interviewer explain which answer was the strongest. THE INTERVIEWS IN ACTION – 3 candidates are asked several case and experience questions.Try to figure out which answer is the best and then see if you're correct.
Tips for the case interview The four most important things to accomplish during your case interview. Interview prep | Careers. Most Common Behavioral Interview Questions. Interview prep 101 dictates that you should have your elevator pitch ready, a few stories polished (for the behavioral interview questions you’ll probably be asked), and a good sense of what you have to offer. So, how do you get there? Lots of practice, ideally aloud. To help you better prepare for your next interview, here are 30 behavioral interview questions sorted by topic (in addition to over 40 common interview questions that you should be more than familiar with).
Behavioral interview questions require candidates to share examples of specific situations they’ve been in where they had to use certain skills. Not sure how to answer these questions from your interviewer? Behavioral Interview Questions 1-5 Teamwork For questions like these, you want a story that illustrates your ability to work with others under challenging circumstances. Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours. Getting ready? How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions. You’ve reviewed your resume, practiced your elevator pitch, and reviewed a few stories you can share during the interview. All is well, and you’re feeling confident. And when the interviewer says, “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your supervisor,” you are ready to go and launch straight into a story about that one time you bravely confronted the director of marketing at your previous company about a new campaign you had a bad feeling about.
Okay, so maybe that doesn’t sound like you—yet. Let’s take a step back and talk about how you can get there. Pick the Right Story All these “Tell me about a time when…” questions require stories. So, how do you find the right stories to share? There are, of course, a few things that interviewers frequently like to ask about that will not be on the job descriptions.
Finally, brainstorm a few more questions that could potentially come up based on the position you’re applying for and your particular situation. Make a Statement Finish Strong. Acing the Behavioral Interview. Master These 15 Incredibly Common Interview Questions.