Employers will probably ask at least one of these common questions: What software skills do you have? What's your greatest weakness? Why do you want to work here? Practice answering questions like this in advance; that way, you won't find yourself put on the spot during the interview. "Try recording yourself while practicing interview questions. This will help you work on other non-verbal signals such as body language and hand movements, " says Pagan-Hilton. "You may realize that you say 'umm' or 'like' a lot, or have a nervous habit. It's okay! This is your chance to prepare yourself and practice. " But don't sound too rehearsed, advises Jesse Durlin, a 2004 Full Sail Show Production grad who owns Orlando Productions. "Be a real person and be able to carry a conversation, " he says. "Act like we're at a bar and just chatting. " Craft your elevator pitch. "Make a list of your skill sets, experience, education, and career goals, " suggests Pagan-Hilton. "Practice this quick pitch at home, so it comes out naturally during your interview. "
What you wear should reflect your own personal story and style, but it should also align with the company's brand. In doing your research, your should have seen some images of the leadership team. Let those, along with your story, inform your style choices. 4. Prepare Your Own Questions You are interviewing the company as much as you are being interviewed! What you learn about the organization is just as consequential as what it learns about you. Researching in advance allows you to formulate thoughtful questions that prove your authentic interest in the company and create a genuine dialogue with your interviewer. Thoughtful questions are a great way to stand out from the other candidates in the process. After all, employers want engaged employees who are excited to come aboard. Good questions are also invaluable in gathering the information you need to decide whether you really want to work for this company. 5. Change Your Mindset Interviewing can be stressful, nerve-wracking, and exhausting.
A common question from an interviewer will be "What makes you nervous"? Have some idea of how you will answer this. They want to know how you handle stressful situations and an interview is a prime example. How will you answer a question like "What are your salary expectations"? A difficult one if you don't know whether you are over or under selling yourself. If you're going for a job with a biotech or life sciences company, make sure you've done some research into starting salaries. Figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are – you need to be able to say what you're good at and what you're not so good at. But do remember to add how you have overcome any weaknesses using examples, e. g. if you're nervous speaking in front of groups, mention how you attended a course on PowerPoint presentations/public speaking and are now much better at it! If you've become expert at a particular technique, tell the panel how you can teach this to others in the lab/company. 5. Your Reasons for Wanting the Job Ask yourself why you want this job because you'll likely be asked this on the day.
Test early and often (even in the prototyping or wireframing stages) to gauge how users perceive your brand. Focus on design and content that gives your users a positive experience. This will build the trust and confidence in your brand they need to spend more than just a few seconds on your site or app.
Devoting the time to educate yourself on the organization builds trust in your capabilities to take the initiative to learn what you need to know to accomplish your goals. 3. Be humbly confident — People want to trust in your expertise, however, coming across as a narcissistic superstar turns people off. Don't shy away from tooting your horn about your accomplishments, but do it in a gracious, humble, and professional way. One way to do that is to use "we" language instead of "me" language. Emphasize the way you've collaborated with others to achieve goals and freely share the credit with those who've partnered with you. You don't need to blow out another person's candle so yours can shine brighter. 4. Be honest and transparent — You build trust with others by showing a level of vulnerability that's appropriate for the context of the situation. Share information about yourself, including your strengths and areas where you know you need to improve. Of course you want to present your areas of growth in a positive light, but you also want to be genuine and authentic.
While the panel are telling you about the position and the lab or company, questions from you will emphasize your interest in the position. The panel may start with the question "Tell us about yourself and your experience, and why you think you would be the best candidate for the job". This is where it helps to have your elevator speech handy as a brief introduction to who you are and what you can do. Don't just use the mini-speech you normally give at conferences; tailor it to the job. Give examples of your technical and transferable skills and show how these will help you with aspects of the job. Are particular techniques needed to do the job? Are you applying for a biotech/pharmaceutical job working on a particular product? Do your homework and prepare stuff to recite when prompted – you'll find the interview a much easier process if you do this. 3. Over to You Have questions ready to ask. It's really important that you ask relevant questions about the job, the lab/company, your prospects… Show the panel that you've gone the extra mile and taken the time to find out that bit more about the company or university – it will definitely go in your favor.