Asklemmy

I've interviewed many people and most people are terrible in that situation, even when I try to help them along.

Nervousness is the number one thing that throws people off during an interview. Instead of taking a breath to calm down and think things through they either immediately start speaking without a clear plan, or they clam up and don't give me anything to talk about. Using the STAR/START method of answering questions works great to give a framework.

The next is that they just don't demonstrate their skills or that they learn over time. I'll ask a technical question about something and they show no understanding of why they did something. I love asking questions about what a person learned while doing their work, so many people just don't have anything to share.

Lastly, interviews are way easier if the other person treats it like a conversation rather than a one way Q&A session. I get a much better idea of what they will be like to work with and I'm more comfortable when I can ask questions that continue on the discussion. On the flipside, some people take over conversations and don't get that our time is limited and answers need to be concise. That said, even if the interview is the conversation style, make sure to save at least a couple questions for the ending when you are inevitably asked for questions.

It's okay to pause before responding

An interview is a conversation so you should be asking as many questions as you were asked.

Ask about company culture

Take ownership for what you do and can do and nothing else

Find out, if you can, whether the company has a dress code or uniform. Try to wear clothes similar to their dress code. The interviewer will be able to picture you working as an empoloyee more easily.

If they ask if you have any questions, ALWAYS ask a question, even if it's a simple one or a little dumb (not too dumb though!). It shows you are actually interested in the position and not just looking for a paycheck. A risky but often good one to ask is "Why are you hiring for this position?" If they need clarification, ask if it is a new role in the company or if someone left, in case of the latter, ask if they gave a reason why they left.

Know your value. Set a minimum wage that you will accept. Don't take an offer for shitty pay. If they offer a starting wage lower than your minimum, add 33-50% to their offer and guage how they react. If 33-50% doesn't bring the amount up to or higher than your set minimum, thank them for their time and leave.

Go to the company website and look for their "about us" page. Read everything on the page and try to pick out their key words. Use those words somehow in your interview to describe yourself or your work ethic.

Sleep with the owner. This is a joke to make sure you are paying attention.

Practice an "elevator interview". That's where you imagine you just got on an elevator with the person in charge of hiring and you have 30 seconds or less to make a good impression. Take all things into account as if you were really in an elevator. That means try not to fart and wear deodorant. Talk fast but not too fast. End it in a way where they do not even have a chance to respond, you get off the elevator and leave, wishing them a nice day.

Find out if you know anyone already working there or even have a friend of a friend that does. An in-house recommendation always will increase your chances, provided you are on good terms with that person or their mutual friend.

Honesty is usually the right move for most interviews. People usually try to put their best foot forward, which is good, but it can end up coming across as inauthentic.

If, for example, you are a fresh graduate, and you get an interview, they expect you to be inexperienced. If you claim to know how to use every program and do every technical process, they will know you are bluffing. It's much better to say "I've taken a bunch of classes on X programming language, so I know it pretty well, but ive done some tutorials and little projects with Y and Z, and I'm eager to learn more" or "I've done some labs where we used A and B machines, but I had a summer internship where 90% of my days were spent working with C".

Also, questions like "why do you want to work here?" can be answered with "my significant other got a job in this town, so now I need to as well" (obviously not in those exact words). To you, it might seem like you aren't acting "excited" by the company enough, but the people interviewing you likely aren't drinkers of corporate kool-aid any more than you are, so they will appreciate the honesty. Also, the fact that you have a reason to move to that town shows that you are likely to be willing to work there for the long haul.

Tl;dr, don't pretend to be a unicorn cause you probably aren't, and people don't expect you to be. Just make sure you show that you are serious about wanting the job.

A good (technical) interview should feel like a fun conversation with a friend on the topic at hand.

Most people are trying to see if they'll like you, and that you can pull your weight. Assuming you're qualified the second part isn't an issue.

Practice with a friend or family member. Get comfortable talking about yourself, and post experiences. Get comfortable asking follow up questions. That comfort will let you be yourself during the interview so the interviewers can actually gauge your fit.

Remember that they're rooting for you to be the right candidate.

And if not, you're dodging a bullet.

Plan ahead. Google STAR responses and come up with some scenarios to talk about in that style. Find who is interviewing you on linked in and see what they like, the drop a hint that you like that too in the interview.

Research the company and ask questions. Lots will ask why do you want to work there. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!

if you're prone to overstressing about it, remember, you're just having a conversation.

Be honest, and when there is something you don't know, just say so. I am hiring right now, and many people adjust their CVs to match the job description, but then don't actually know some of the technologies mentioned there...

Also, the line between confidence and arrogance can be very slim. Try to be confident, but don't overdo it.

Wear a tie. Pants optional.

For my current job I spilt coffee on my shirt right before the interview. I keep an emergency sweater with me for times like this... but it's company swag for their biggest competitor. I think it genuinely helped me be more memorable. Even weeks into the job people were making jokes about it.

I saw this tip on the Pirate Software YT channel. Nearing the end of the interview when they ask if you have any questions, ask them "If you hired me right now, what position would you put me in that best fits my skillset?"

https://youtube.com/shorts/23owdgVAV5k

I really enjoy this guy's posts: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKSpVTGR8zw/

Never put salt in your eyes.