Thread by @imryh, Congratulations! Your application was received, reviewed, processed, screened and short-listed. You’ve been [...]

Congratulations! Your application was received, reviewed, processed, screened and short-listed. You’ve been asked to set up an in-person/video interview for the job you applied to.

Now what?

Thread:

First, ask any logistical questions ahead of time.

In person interview – Do you know where to go? Do you know where to park?

Remote interview – Do you know where to call/log in? Did you download the video chat software ahead of time?

Avoid last minute surprises!

/1

I know this seems obvious, but come (or call in) on time. I’ve had soooooo many people show up late for interviews, and I just don’t get it. This is your chance to make a good first impression.

Come early. Wait outside, and then come in 5 min before your interview.

/2

Dress for the occasion. Business attire is not optional. Even if they tell you not to worry about what you’re wearing – worry about it! Wear full business attire. Even if it’s a video chat. You don’t want your clothes to distract from what you have to say.

/3

I get it. It's 2020. No need to wear a 3-piece suit and a top hat every day. But when you show up for an interview wearing a t-shirt and torn jeans (!!!), you really can't spent 10 minutes talking about how you want to work at Harvard because it's a serious place to work.

/4

Don’t come empty-handed.

Offer your resume to the interviewer, but don’t say “This is more updated than what you have.” Why would you say that??? (happens all the time) You got the interview based on the resume you already sent in. Just roll with it

/5

The first question I ask EVERY interviewee is “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” This should be easy. You should be able to tell me about yourself in 4-5 minutes. Where you’re from, where you went to school, where you worked before. Simple, basic things.

/6

DO NOT: Go on and on and on and on. I have other questions I need to get to. Give me a chance to react.

DO NOT: Say “My name is Imry. I guess that’s it.” That’s not enough. Tell me ABOUT yourself.

/7

Be ready to answer standard questions. Your strengths. Your weaknesses. A time when you overcame an obstacle. Where you see yourself in 5,10,15 years. None of these questions should require any thought on your end. You should be ready to go with answers.

/8

Be proud of your past experiences and accomplishments. Don't minimize them, and don't lie or overstate what you did.

You worked on the last Star Wars movie? Great!
You didn't direct it, so be honest about your role. You were a PA? Wonderful. Explain what you did.

/9

It’s always a good idea to pepper in some (accurate) facts about the place you’re interviewing. “I am very passionate about different kinds of sports, which is why working with your 42(!!) different D-I teams is appealing to me.”

/10

When given the chance – ask questions. Come with questions prepared, and then ask them. Don’t get stuck. NEVER say “I don’t have any questions”. You must have questions. About the job. About expectations. About logistics. Have them ready, and ask them. This is your chance.

/11

I learn a lot more about people from their questions than their answers.

When I answer your questions, TAKE NOTES. Don’t just nod. Show that you value my time and effort. Write down my responses. It shows you care about what I’m saying.

/12

Feel free to show your excitement, but be specific.

"I really think that my skills would benefit Harvard and help me in this role."

OK. What skills?

"What do you mean?"

You said your skills would benefit Harvard. What are they?

"I'm not sure. Ummm...I don't know".

/13

Have a good reason for applying to this job.

"Just before we wrap up the interview, one final question. Why do you want to work here?"

“Well, I think Harvard would look really great on my resume. It would really help me get other jobs.”

What????

/14

VERY IMPORTANT – Don’t be afraid to show personality. Be funny. Be interesting. Don’t be bland. You want me to remember you after the interview? Find a way to make an impact. To leave an impression.

/15

Before you leave, make sure you get “next steps”. Ask when to expect to hear back from the hiring manager. Ask what the next steps in the process may be. Ask when the job is slated to begin. Get all the info you need to feel confident.

/16

Thank you notes. That’s it. That's the tweet.

/17

You have to write a thank you note. Ideally, a hand-written thank you note. But in these COVID times, an email note will do. The note should be sent 24 hours after the interview. Too soon, and it gets lost in the shuffle. Too late, and I no longer remember who you are.

/18

The thank you note is critical. It’s your chance to leave a lasting impression. Thank the interviewer for their time, reiterate your interest in the position, and remind them of something that came up during the interview. Maybe a story, or something the interviewer said.

/19

You completed the interview, 3 weeks have passed, and you haven’t heard a thing. Now what?

It’s absolutely ok to check in. Just send a quick note, reiterate your interest in the position, and ask for an update on the process.

Don’t check in too early. It’s annoying.

/20

Don’t worry about long delays. They are perfectly normal. Forms take a while to process. Follow-up interviews take a while to schedule. HR procedures take a while to go through. It’s all perfectly normal, and yet also perfectly nerve wracking. Check in…but don’t worry.

/21

Unfortunately, you hear back, and you did not get the job. It happens. Hundreds of applications, and only one job.

You now have a choice: Burn the bridge, or leave a positive impression.

Burning bridges sounds like fun, but it really is self -defeating.

/22

Building a relationship with the interviewer is never a bad thing. Maybe they'll have a new opening in the future. Maybe they can refer other job openings to you. Or maybe they can just be a resource in your career.

Always leave a good lasting impression.

/End

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