A job interview is more than answering questions politely. Each question can carry an unstated purpose: the interviewer is judging whether your experience, preparation, communication, and fit meet the employer’s needs. Strong answers address that purpose rather than only the literal wording. section 1.1 section 1.2
Prepare as if you are making a case for a match. Learn about the company and interviewers, compare your background with the employer’s needs, anticipate objections, and connect your relevant skills and experience to the role. Treat the conversation as a sales process without becoming scripted or inauthentic. section 1.4 section 8.20
Useful habits before, during, and after an interview include:
- Translate open-ended questions into the information the interviewer is likely seeking, then answer directly and stay relevant. section 1.1
- Prepare and practice answers, but revise anything that sounds canned so it remains real and personal. section 8.19 section 8.20
- Build rapport, ask informed questions of your own, and end with a positive statement reinforcing your fit. section 8.20
- Expect different stages and audiences, from initial screening through conversations with hiring managers, peers, clients, or panels. section 11.1
Answering a question about other opportunities
If asked whether you are interviewing elsewhere, acknowledge that you are pursuing opportunities without giving unnecessary specifics. Then refocus on why this role interests you: connect the company’s values or plans with your relevant experience, summarize your fit, and ask about next steps. The goal is truthful interest, not a vague claim that this is your first choice. section 11.16
| Message you receive |
Translation |
| “We received your application and will notify you if there is interest.” or “We are evaluating candidates and will notify you if there is interest.” |
We received hundreds of applications and have very little time and resources to go through each one in detail. We will likely use an applicant tracking system to help us search resumes for keywords and similar job titles. Do not contact us to inquire about the status of your application, because we won’t be able to answer (we have multiple jobs posted and receive hundreds of responses for each one). If we are interested in learning more about you, we’ll contact you. |
| “Thank you for your interest in X position. We are pleased to invite you for an interview.” |
Congratulations—you made it past our resume/application screening system and now get to interview for the position! (This initial interview may or may not be with a live person; it may be a one-way recorded video interview as described earlier in this chapter.) |
| “Thank you for your interest in X position. Although your background is impressive, we have other candidates whose backgrounds more closely match our needs.” |
Sorry, but you didn’t make it past our resume/application screening system. |
Before an interview begins, employer messages can signal application screening, limited response capacity, and an invitation to move forward. section 11.14
