How to get a job offer out of every interview
Preparation.
If you work fulltime you need to leave a good two to three months to prepare. Get up to speed on everything you need to know eg if you work in tech you might need to get flat on the following: coding, machine learning, and system design. Executive Agents can help you with this.
Get your knowledge and problem-solving skills up to speed.
Remain curious in your research and preparation. Continuous learning is key.
Do you know if there will be technical problem-solving questions? If not, find out. The only way to effectively prepare for such questions is to practice, practice, practice.
In your preparation, maintain your curiosity and modesty. Let your mind be a sponge for knowledge and information.
Getting Interviews.
Reply to company recruiter messages and posts on LinkedIn, network and ask for referrals. Get help from Executive Agents and the recruiters.
Phone Screening.
Most phone screenings are standard. They’re typically intended to ensure that the candidate is indeed human and get a feel for their way of thinking and how they communicate verbally. Duration of the calls varies widely. This should be communicated prior to the call. Times can be anything from 15 minutes to a whole hour. Communication is key here. Communicate your intentions, share your logic and thought processes. Be succinct and do not waffle on.
A common question asked at the initial screen is ‘Are you currently interviewing elsewhere?’. This can be a real opportunity to fast track to a face-to-face interview. If you have skills that are in demand and already have a face-to-face interview lined up with one or more competitors, many savvy HR recruiters will see that you are in high demand and fast track you straight to an interview for fear of missing out (FOMO) on you.
Negotiation.
Salary and perks negotiation is a big topic. See this article or speak to your Executive Agent.
Some things that I do think are important:
- Know your bargaining cards.
- Maintain and communicate your interest in the teams, people and role responsibilities.
- Keep your patience and confidence.
- Be determined but polite.
- Be authentic.
Summary.
Life is short and your professional life is even shorter. Don’t waste more time than you need in a dead-end role. See interviews as an opportunity to network and leave a lasting positive impression on everyone you speak to. Leave huge amounts of time and be prepared to put in a lot of effort.
Getting a job offer only means you meet the minimum requirements. There is no upper limit. Keep getting better and wow people!