when you don’t click with your interviewer by Alison Green on February 24, 2016 A reader writes: I’ve been on interviews where after interviewing with one person, another one comes right after and continues the process. I realize that this is to see that I can “fit in,” but how do I deal with the one interviewer with whom I’m not going to click? I can feel when I’m […] Read the full article →
I bombed a weird interview after no sleep by Alison Green on February 2, 2016 A reader writes: Approximately a month ago, I applied for a position and was scheduled for an interview with an organization’s HR manager. I had apparently done well on the pre-employement aptitude tests and interviewed well with her. She was great and two hours passed quickly. Following this interview, I was asked to come in […] Read the full article →
can I ask my interviewer if they’re likely to want someone with more experience? by Alison Green on January 28, 2016 A reader writes: I have a job interview in the next few days. When it’s time for me to ask questions of them, is it too inappropriate to ask whether they are likely to want a more experienced person for an entry-level role? I’ve been told three or four times now that while I was […] Read the full article →
can you ask to come back to a question later in the interview, and how long can you pause before it seems weird? by Alison Green on January 26, 2016 A reader writes: I recently went on my first interview after obtaining a technical degree. It was unlike any interview I’ve ever been on, and I quickly realized I was not well prepared. The interviewer stated before beginning that if I needed to skip a question to have time to formulate an answer and come […] Read the full article →
is it okay to mention “mommy brain” in a job interview? by Alison Green on January 11, 2016 A reader writes: I’m curious whether you think it’s ever okay to mention that you have “mommy brain” as a sort of disclaimer to an interviewer. I ask this because I am a new mom (five months postpartum), and I noticed that since I’ve gotten pregnant and especially since I’ve had my baby, I feel […] Read the full article →
how to answer the interview question “how does this job fit with your career path?” by Alison Green on December 28, 2015 A reader writes: All through high school and college, I wanted to be a journalist. I got my degree and spent four years in newspapers. And then I got fired. I realized the industry was dying and changing and perhaps it was all for the best. I still use my writing, editing, and research skills, […] Read the full article →
how to convince an interviewer I’m okay with admin work, even with a master’s degree by Alison Green on December 23, 2015 A reader writes: I’m wondering about how to reassure interviewers that I am able and willing to perform administrative tasks despite the fact that I have a master’s degree and have some higher-level work experience. Some background: I’m in my mid-twenties and have done a lot of internships, part-time jobs, and AmeriCorps, and am looking […] Read the full article →
can I bring a crib sheet into interviews to help me answer questions? by Alison Green on December 21, 2015 A reader writes: I work in a sector where it is common to ask competency questions in interviews (apologies for being vague, but if I stated my work area you’d probably respond with “oh yeah, those guys probably DO get a lot of competency questions”). These range from informal “how would you handle this situation?” […] Read the full article →
how to interview your potential new boss by Alison Green on December 11, 2015 A reader writes: Our department was asked by our director to have an informal-type “interview” with two of the finalists in line to fill our manager position (the current manager is retiring). We are a small department of eight people, and we are tasked with “being unemotional” and to have “facts” as to why we […] Read the full article →
8 things you should never tell your interviewer — even if they’re true by Alison Green on November 23, 2015 In an ideal world, an interview is a candid discussion between candidate and interviewer of the job and whether the candidate is the right match. And indeed, candor will usually increase both side’s chances of ending up with the right fit. But there are some things that can hurt your chances if you’re honest about […] Read the full article →