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8 Things Candidates Can Do To Look Like Stars In Their Next Interview...

That's right. Mostly HR people read this, but I'm still doing a post on how to make sure your responses in interviews as a candidate don't suck.

After all, HR people interview too.  At least that's what I've heard. If someone sees you reading this, just tell them you're putting together a professional development course for the local SHRM chapter.  You'll get a glossy look in their eyes and they will cease to remember they say you looking at this, then try to get away from you as fast as possible.  This has been scientifically validated.

Anyway, my 8 Things to do if you want to look like a Star in your next interview post is up over at Halogen Software.  Click here to go to that post, and here's 3 of the 8 as a tease:

1. The length of response to any interview question is 2 minutes or 120 seconds, whichever comes first (that's a cognitive check for you).

2. The only exception to the 2-minute rule is the warm-up intro question, "Why don't you run me through your background/resume and hit the highlights for me?" Then there’s its close counterpart, "Tell me a little bit about yourself.” When you hear those questions, you should spend 3 to 5 minutes hitting the highlights of your resume/career, then close with the standard personal interests, like non-profit animal adoption and toys for tots.  

3. If your interviewer decides that s/he is going to talk for 90 percent of your time together, let them. They‘ll come out of the interview thinking it went great. Of course it did — they got to talk the whole time. That means you're brilliant to them. Counter intuitive? Yes, but just trust me on this one.

Like what you see?  Go to my post over at Halogen software to get the rest.  As Bluto once said, "Don't cost nothing".

Steal what you see over there and do a speaking gig for candidates somewhere in your local area.  Just give Halogen and KD a shout-out when you do that.  

Comments

Danna Blum

Many HR folks are great at advising others on how to nail the interview, but not so hot at advising ourselves. This is a great guide! It's now saved in my Favorites for future reference.

TimeClick

Great list! I've heard that the "tell me a little bit about yourself" should not be answered by referring to your resume. Apparently it's a balance of resume and non-resume items. There are some great tips here for both interviewees and interviewers.

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