- Prepare. The work and research you do prior to your interview conversation is essential to a successful interview. Meaningful preparation leads to a productive and positive conversation.
- Establish a positive mindset. The interviewer wants to engage in a positive conversation - like you, he/she wants a good outcome.
- Passion. Make sure you are interviewing for roles that you are genuinely passionate about. The interviewer wants to be excited about your conversation.
- Convey your agenda: three or four selling points for that position. Connect your skills to the role.
- Give examples to demonstrate each of those selling points.
- Frame whatever you say positively, even if asked negatively ("What did you like least about your previous work as a ____?").
- Be honest with yourself and the interviewer. You don't want to talk your way into the wrong position.
- Do communicate to the interviewer that you really want the position (and why) and that there is an excellent chance you would accept their offer (if this is true).
- Be prepared for questions you hope they won't ask. Be matter-of-fact in your responses, not defensive.
- Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. Think about what might concern the interviewer about you and what you can do for the company.
- Have several good questions to ask the interviewer.
- Be sensitive to cultural differences if you are interviewing with a firm from a country of which you are not a native.
- Practice, practice, practice!
Careers
Interviewing
Preparation is key to a successful interview. The tips and questions below are designed
to let you know what to expect from the process and to help you plan your approach.
Remember, the path of your discussion will depend on the company and industry in which
you are interviewing.
What You Need to Know
Remote Interview Tips
Follow these tips for a successful video conferencing or phone interview:
- Before The Interview
- Take time to prepare. This will ensure that the conversation flows and that you will not be looking for what you need during the interview.
- Have available: paper, pencil, calculator, resume and cover letter, job description, company research, personal calendar, water.
- Prepare your notes. Write down your key selling points, accomplishments, specific examples, and questions for the recruiter.
- Practice. Practice. Practice.
- Before a Phone Interview
- Find a quiet space. Turn off music and the tv; let your roommates or guests know that you will be doing a phone interview.
- If you are using a cell phone for an interview, be sure your phone is fully charged and that you take the call where you have good reception.
- Ensure that your voicemail message on your phone(s) is professional.
- Dressing up for the interview even though the interviewer cannot see you can help
you get into a professional state of mind.
- Before a Video Interview
- Ensure that you have a quiet space, proper lighting, and a neutral background behind you.
- Use a table for your laptop instead of your lap so your video stays steady.
- Dress for the interview as you would during an in-person interview.
- During a Phone Interview
- Consider standing up rather than sitting.
- Smile. Smiling affects your tone of voice and helps you demonstrate enthusiasm.
- You can take notes as needed just as you would in an in-person interview. These notes can help you keep track of what information the recruiter has given you and help you formulate further questions.
- Towards the end of the conversation ask about next steps. Thank the recruiter for
his/her time, and follow up with a thank you note.
- During a Video Interview
- Remember to look into the camera when speaking instead of looking at your own video.
- You can take notes as needed just as you would in an in-person interview. These notes can help you keep track of what information the recruiter has given you and help you formulate further questions.
- Towards the end of the conversation ask about next steps. Thank the recruiter for
his/her time, and follow up with a thank you note.
Interview Questions
- +–General Interview Questions
-
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What do you do in your spare time?
- What are the most important things to you in a job?
- What would you like me to know about you, that is not in your resume?
- Give me an example of a situation where you demonstrated leadership.
- How flexible are you?
- Give an example of how you worked on a team.
- How creative are you? Give an example.
- Why are you interested in this industry?
- Why did you choose to interview with us?
- Describe the ideal position in our firm.
- Who else are you interviewing with?
- What qualities do you think make someone successful in business?
- How do you feel about work-related travel?
- Why do you think you are qualified for this position?
- What did you like most/least about each position you held?
- Why did you want to attend business school? Why HBS?
- What courses did you like the most? Least? Why?
- What did you learn at HBS that will help you in this position?
- +–Illegal Interview Questions
-
Under U.S. law, several types of interview questions are illegal. These generally fall under personal information, such as age, race, religion, etc. Below are some illegal interview questions, related questions that are legal, and suggested responses.
- Work/Visa Status
Illegal: Are you a U.S. citizen?
Where were your parents born?
What is your native language?Legal: Are you authorized to work in the U.S.?
What languages do you speak?Response: I can work with (no/the following) restrictions.
I am fluent in, conversational in. - Marital/Family Status
Illegal: Are you married?
Do you have, or plan to have children?
Have you ever been divorced?
What do you do for child care?Legal: Are you willing to relocate?
Are you willing and able to put in the amount of overtime and/or travel the position requires?Response: If you're asking whether anything is going to interfere with my being able to successfully do my work, I understand the hours and travel required and I am comfortable with them.
- Disability Status
Illegal: Do you have any disabilities?
How is your health?Legal: Are you able to perform this job with or without reasonable accommodation?
Response: If you're asking whether anything is going to interfere with my being able to successfully do my work, either now or in the future, the answer is, "No."
- Religion
Illegal: Are you a U.S. citizen?
What is your religion?
Are you practicing?Legal: Does your religious affiliation, if any, interfere with your working in this position?
Response: I recognize I may have to work weekends and do not anticipate any issues with that.
- Age
Illegal: How old are you?
Legal: Are you over 18?
Response: If you're wondering if I'm over 18, the answer is, "Yes."
- Arrest Record
Illegal: Have you ever been arrested?
Legal: Have you ever been convicted of any crime other than a traffic violation?
Response: No. I've never been convicted of anything other than a minor traffic violation.
- Work/Visa Status
Follow Up Guidelines
- Send each person you meet with a thank you email as soon as possible. If you are sending multiple letters, tailor each one to the conversation you had with that person.
- Thank You Email After Interview:
Dear Mr. Bolletaris,
Thank you for providing me with an excellent introduction to Alpha Galactic. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and learning more about the Manager of Marketing position. Likewise, the interview schedule that you arranged provided a valuable opportunity for me to understand the exciting projects already underway.
As I mentioned, I continue to be extremely interested in Alpha Galactic, particularly the AGO Division. My consulting background and health care experience would allow me to make a significant contribution to the division's marketing department. Not only do I have the analytical skills you require, but I also enjoy working on cross-functional teams.
I look forward to hearing from you next week regarding your decision. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarita Jordish
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The Informational Interview
The informational interview; we’ve all been there. It’s critical to gather as much
information as possible before embarking on a new career.
The informational interview; we’ve all been there. It’s critical to gather as much
information as possible before embarking on a new career.
You have leveraged your network, perfected your resume and cover letter, and now you
have landed an interview. Research may be one of the most critical elements of your
interview preparation.
You have leveraged your network, perfected your resume and cover letter, and now you
have landed an interview. Research may be one of the most critical elements of your
interview preparation.
Are you preparing for an interview? Or do you have one on the horizon? Read insights
on what it takes to have a successful interview based on Brit Dewey's years of experience
in interviewing hundreds of MBA candidates and in hiring for HBS, Bain & Company,
and Goldman Sachs.
Are you preparing for an interview? Or do you have one on the horizon? Read insights
on what it takes to have a successful interview based on Brit Dewey's years of experience
in interviewing hundreds of MBA candidates and in hiring for HBS, Bain & Company,
and Goldman Sachs.