The thought of interviewing usually conjures up memories of nerves, anxiety, awkward conversations, and preparing for canned questions. Or maybe it’s the pressure of needing to land a job and hoping to make the cut.
Whatever your experience has been with interviewing, there is so much more you can learn from the process, both as an interviewee and an interviewer.
This week on Learning to Lead the live clubhouse discussions, we talked about Interviewing Tips, including why interviewing is important, how it can help even when you are not looking for a job, and tips on questions to ask. Here are a few highlights from the discussion:
Interviewing is a skill set - get regular practice even when you are not looking for a job. This helps you better understand what you really want, who you are, your value and expertise, and hone your storytelling.
Explore what you really want - make a list of companies you admire and roles you think you are interested in, then go for interviews. This can help you get clear on options and opportunities, including whether you should stay where you are.
Interviewing can help expand your network - by continually exploring companies and opportunities you meet interesting people. Approach interviewing through the lens of learning and exploration.
Know what you don’t want - knowing what excites you and what you really want is important. Equally important is knowing what you don’t want, including if there are deal breakers for a company or role.
Interviewing helps you become a better interviewer - knowing what works and what’s doesn’t, and how to have a conversation that helps you understand if there’s a fit with a candidate.
Make it personal - whether as an interviewer or interviewee, try to ask questions to get to know people personally and get past awkward guarded conversations.
Make Space - when asking questions get comfortable letting the other person talk before interjecting or commenting. You’ll often learn a lot more about the person in that space.
Interviewing to Grow - if you are considering a career transition or mapping your long-term career aspirations, use interviewing to explore potential roles to understand if you are excited by those prospects, or where you need to grow.
Ask informative questions - make sure you ask questions that help you understand the culture, growth opportunities, team dynamics, diversity, and leadership styles.
A few interesting questions to ask:
- What is your leadership style?
- How do you want to work with the person in this role (including stakeholders)?
- How would you describe office politics?
- What personality do you think would be successful in this role?
- When was your last vacation?
- How does your company use consulting companies (i.e. Deloitte, Accenture)?
- You’ve seen my resume and we’ve talked, why would you hire or not hire me?
- What is it like to be a [your identifier-woman, poc, lgbtq, etc.] here?
- Tell me a time/moment when diversity became important to you?
At the core of interviewing will always be the clarity of what you want. If you don’t know what you want, how will you know when you’ve found it? Do the important work of defining what you really value and ensure you are intentional about the actions you take, the relationships you build, and what you remain open to.
Quote of the Week
Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow. - Kurt Vonnegut
Resources
How to Nail a Job Interview Remotely - great tips on the differences in interviewing remotely and how you can prepare
Great Ted Talks to watch before you interview for a job
Banana Bread Recipe - one of our regular guests on the Learning to Lead live discussions shared an amazing banana bread recipe, and a reminder to find happiness in simple things.
Listen to the Full Replay
Events
The Future of Leadership virtual event on November 18, 2021 - Join this webinar to learn about the future needs of leaders, including developing mindsets and capabilities.
Give a Ted Style Talk by Moxie Institute on November 30, 2021 - Want to become a world-class speaker? Get started right now with Moxie Institute’s live Give A Ted Style Talk training! Live online course
Ted Women Conference December 2021 - a conference about the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers. The program of speakers, workshops, events — and daring discussions — has sparked some of TED's most iconic moments yet.
DO Lectures Wales July 2022 - a few days that could change your life - "You shouldn't come to the DO Lectures if you aren't willing to say goodbye to the old you." Mills.
Networking
Are you hiring? Send your job to be included in this newsletter and connect with leaders in our network
Are you looking for a new job or opportunity? Keep an eye on the network section of this newsletter going forward.
Next time on Learning to Lead: Personal Branding
Join us LIVE in the official Learning to Lead Clubhouse Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am PT.
Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Do you have any questions for the Learning to Lead team? Comment or DM me.
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