8 Insanely Effective Job Interview Tips - How To Pass Your Interview

[@mattwise4]

Brian! I want to thank you for being such an exceptional resource. I spent a considerable amount of time considering whether or not I wanted to switch jobs & your channel was a major driver in my decision. With the help of your videos, I received four generous offers & ultimately landed a fully remote position that was a 50+% base pay raise over my previous employer! I watched your videos & never thought something like this could happen to me. I'm excited about just how wrong I was! Thank you!

[@Nereus00]

hey i also want a fully remote position how did you do xD

[@robinjayasvasti9598]

I was about to post this exact question. Thank you for asking.

[@ALCRAN2010]

Super cool Matt. Best of luck!

[@matthearne4849]

Here is a tip for any employer interviewing a candidate. Engage in a conversation. People get more out of a conversation then they do from an antiquated interview. Times are changing. Instead of an employer asking stilted and tired 'check-the-box' questions, the recruiter/hiring manager should try opening up the proverbial interview window and letting some fresh air into the room. If companies want to hire creative and innovative people, they need to be a bit more original with their interviewing practices. So many of us with amazing skills are never considered, because hiring managers feel they need to stick with previously HR filtered scripted questions. There is no added value here. We are not supposed to be interview avatars; We're all human beings.

[@southerngal7181]

Agreed. If you get a person that's really "good" at interviewing it's probably because they do it a lot. Do you want to hire someone that's always looking to leave? Makes you wonder if companies are really interested in hard workers.

[@bkenneth4261]

100%! I’ve been saying this same thing for years. Also can we please just do away with those one way video interviews? Imho, there’s just nothing more awkward, disconnected and impersonal. When I find out a company would like to move forward and send me a HireVu one way interview invite, I know it’s time to move on.

[@Nereus00]

yes i completely agree, interviewing questions are sooo boring, always the same, jesus, just ask me specific questions if you want to know me, not just why did you apply for this job at this company..

[@ALCRAN2010]

They stick to cookie cutter questions to keep all things being equal and try to find the best candidate. That being said, be the candidate who initiates a conversation.

[@athomewithrobin292]

I 100 percent agree. I just did my 3rd round interview for my dream job. The first 2 round were with the hr screener who was very conversational and it felt more genuine. The second seemed this was her first time hiring for any position and felt like she was overly selling the role and researched her responses for candidates. She kept saying she wanted to make sure it's a good fit. Yet my resume showed my skills and inwas answering her questions with no issue. The 3rd round I bombed just bc in was nervous and on a panel of 4 ppl asking specific questions to fake scenarios and they were actually readying from some sort of document. The after my responses sometimes silence. Made me uncomfortable and second guess myself which then started to affect my responses. If a candidate makes it thos far, this seems more of a personality test and not just skill. I've always been super comfortable in interviews as I know my capabilities and I'm a hard worker and problem solver. But this time around the style of the interview was made me uneasy.

[@_jmeg_3436]

I had to learn these skills the hard way. Pure trial and error. I have Aspergers Syndrome (i.e., mild Autism). Public speaking and interviewing are difficult, but most people can learn them. I just think it’s unfair that there are very capable individuals out there, who aren’t as high functioning as myself, but are screened out of jobs that they would otherwise excel in due to the fact that they can’t pick up on social cues or read between the lines even with practice.

[@ADAPTATION7]

Trial and error is usually how people learn. KZbin hasn't always existed.

[@ADAPTATION7]

@@spankyspork5808 Well I'm sorry to hear that. I always thought that tech was in high demand according to many youtubers out there. But I also know that the US job market is equally ruthless and unforgiving.

[@deez4evs]

I agree w/you, there is no flexibility or consideration for that kind of stuff. Everything is so fast. Little to no training. Sink or swim with no room to grow into a job. I have adhd and I can relate.

[@dreamcream3738]

Unfortunately, it's by design. Speaking as an aspie who has seen it, the goal is and always has been to make sure the autistic cannot gain the financial leverage needed to win women over.

[@Matt-wf7ry]

Best thing that worked for me, a person who let anxiety/panic attacks take over my responses, is act like you are talking to somebody that you already know and that you already have a rapport with. I have always done my best to just ask some easy fun questions right off the bat before things really kick off with the people I am interviewing with about their weekend, weather and anything fun and that really lightens the mood for everybody (especially yourself). I have landed jobs I thought I did terrible in and after inquiring about it the hiring manager said they just felt like their was a genuine connection there and a personal connection.

[@athomewithrobin292]

Good one. I just let my anxiety take over my dream job.

[@bigneon_glitter]

Good tips. I made a number of these mistakes in a recent interview - my first, post-Covid. I was nervous & pretty much talked my way out of a job. Interviewing is a real skill. Slowly getting it back.

[@MrOllie716]

Hey Bryan, I binged watched all your videos relating to job interviews to prep for mine and I just wanted to come say THANK YOU. I felt way more prepared going into my interview and I just received an email yesterday with an offer. Keep doing these videos, they’re incredibly helpful.

[@jennyc5100]

Addendum to my previous comment: I am a big fan of the judicious use of clarifying questions. I have done this successfully in interviews. It really helps me make sure I am answering the question they really want answered. This can be especially useful when answering, “Tell me about yourself.” Sometimes I ask if they’d like my career background summary as a whole, or if they’re interested in other aspects, such as only the things that directly relate to their job. I’m not sure, but I bet that most interviewers aren’t aware that this question needs to be a bit more specific. Thanks, Brian!

[@TheDecoCottage]

I hate how vague that question is. I too ask them to clarify the scope of the question.

[@athomewithrobin292]

So true!

[@heidiheidi0]

Interviews are changing a lot. I had one interview where it felt like I was on Law and Order and I was being questioned by the interviewer. The interviewer didnt engage in conversation at all, but the format was just question-answer-question, including the first one "tell me about yourself". There were 7 other people in the virtual room and all had their cameras off. Only one was asking the questions. I left the interview feeling like I didnt know what hit me. My gut feeling was correct as I never did hear back from them. Some interviewers are also interviewing 7 to 9 candidates for one opening, which is nuts. Can you talk about these crazy new interview styles maybe?

[@ALifeAfterLayoff]

Awful candidate experience.

[@Talmudets]

7-9? Interview at a time? I'm in IT HelpDesk, 3 months, 235 applications, 10 interviews, 2 physical ones, got 2 offers way below I was making, refused it for now, both jobs full time in the office, after I worked 2 years fully remotely, I have 14 years of experience with last position, since 2008. Can't seem to find my niche again :( , worked on government IT contract, got B.S. and M.S. degrees in Information Systems from University of Maryland, but no certificates and learned that's a big minus now in IT. So far cannot find my dream job again 😫, very upset about it, honestly, even seems like many openings out there, but when you start look at details, location, salary, hours, policies, etc. And on LinkedIn or INDEED, when I look mostly over 150-200 applicants/resumes per each job 🤔, it's unreall, from one source , one job board, we can assume it's up to 1000 resumes if not more for 1 job, for good jobs now

[@MRSMakeupBag]

Back in the day I rocked the in person interview. Fast forward many many years and this zoom interview is an entirely new beast. Nerves that I can't seem to recover from because I can't connect to the interviewer. I just had 11 interviews with 5 companies in the last few months and Im literally bombing 💣 Ugh, I totally need your help.

[@Golden_Kelsi]

Hey Brian. I've been binge-watching your interview tips. Your videos have been beneficial and concrete. I am going to have my 3rd round in-house interview with my dream company in 2 hours. I've been preparing and getting to know the company in a deeper level. I'm very excited about this opportunity! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and helping the community! I will keep you posted with the result! Sending you my blessing and hope you have a wonderful day! 🙏💛🚀

[@timisa58]

I recently had an interview. Most of the questions were asked by those who did not have an intimate understanding of the position I was seeking. The one person who did know, was feverishly taking notes, but asked only 1-2 generic questions. It was with a relatively prestigious, local organization, but after a couple of days and looking back at the interview, I contacted them and told them that I was no longer interested in the position. I found out a few other things about the organization that was questionable as well, but it was mostly the interview process and the vibe that led me to move on. It is difficult in fully engage when you already have a bad feeling from the start. 🤣

[@ed4253]

Almost every interview I go tilt and ramble. Its a reason I've been at the same place for 9 years

[@Talmudets]

Same here, after 14 years, unfortunately was forced to lay of and now been looking for 3 months :(, 12 interviews, 2 low offers, which I turned down

[@ThePrimeMinisterOfTheBlock]

It's crazy how effective that last tip can be. I recall one interview where I discovered that the interviewer was a former air force pilot. We spent most of the interview yarning about his career and flight after I casually dropped that I was studying for my PPL. Hired on the spot, and they gave me the salary I'd asked for too. Easiest interview ever.

[@Deimian676]

You for real?

[@ThePrimeMinisterOfTheBlock]

@@Deimian676 understand that behind the account 'the prime minster of the block' is a real person who had jobs and has done interviews. This one was the 'best' interview I'd ever had. Always background the people you're meeting with.

[@jujackmarketing]

The biggest tip to interviewing is KNOWING YOUR RESUME. I'm a resume writer and you would not believe the amount of people who send me their resume to update not knowing what they have on it. I discover this when I'm interviewing them to go over the resume they sent. Usually it's a resume they had done by someone else who didn't take the time to speak with them to better understand their roles. It's frustrating, especially when they don't speak the same language as what's on their resume.

[@Naomaymay]

Hi Ju, where can I send you my CV so you can help me with it?

[@contactsjones]

Thanks to your channel and a few others I got the Job!! Just came to say a huge thank you to you! I’m a long term subscriber now!

[@ALifeAfterLayoff]

Congrats on the new job!

[@terri348]

I interviewed for a job and after talking about my computer skills, I let them know I was really bad at power point. All 3 of the interviewers said they were bad at it too. I got the job.

[@nonamenowhereski7563]

I found your resources through the YT algorithm and I have to say you're right on for so many aspects of the job hunt. I've always aced interviews but didn't know what I was doing right or wrong. It came down to not being outcome oriented beforehand for me so I could self-select whether I was a good fit. My problem was crocheting a resume to slither past the terminator robot ATS so that it actually got eyeballs on it. Your videos gave me the insights to mark it up correctly where a professional resume wasn't making it through previously. I saw one of your videos that seemed to imply that ATS weren't as big a roadblock to interviews as they actually are by and large. I am here to provide anecdotal evidence that ATS are likely the singular problem with the 'labor shortage' seen on various news echo chambers. I get it, it's hard to go through hundreds or thousands of applications - but seriously I think time is more a function than sheer numbers. For instance, put the rec out with zero filters - then cut it off after 100 - then sort manually. If a company can't find a 'good enough' in 100 apps and find 5 suitables for a chat, something is wrong. That method potentiall resolves several of the problems you identified in another video for stale, non fillable, ghost rec, etc. Just my 2 cents. Love your video formatting and messages, you've got super valuable insights.

[@SiaKorea1]

Bryan could you share with us how to handle behavior questions. For some reason these questions disturb me the most and I honesly need assistance in how to deal with the "tell me about a time you..." questions.

[@Talmudets]

According to Amazon there is STAR method, but I'm not too sure about it myself exactly = situation, task, action, result. Something like that with conclusion what you learned from this situation, what outcome could possibly be.

[@amybouchard]

These are all great tips. I hope my candidates watch your videos so they can nail the interview.

[@izamalcadosa2951]

I spend no more than 2 or 3 minutes on each question/answer, now! I used to spend 5 to 10 minutes on each question before back in 2020 and 2021!

[@preservinghistory84]

Thank you for this one! I’ve had a lot of interviews in the last year, and I think I’ve got it down to a science at this point. I spend some time beforehand researching the company, the role, and the interviewers. I download the job description from wherever I applied for it (or the company website), and review it, and make notes for myself about how I fulfill the requirements. I write down a few smart questions to ask after the interview (always looks bad if you don’t have questions for them!! Also interviews are a TWO WAY STREET…you’re interviewing them too!). And I review my LinkedIn page to remind myself of what is on there (such as work examples, etc.) that the company might be interested in.

[@se2664]

I’ve done all this but still haven’t landed a job 7 months later… I can’t articulate myself well especially when it comes to those stupid behavioral/situational questions

[@SiaKorea1]

@@se2664 I literally just made this same statement once we get to the behavioral questions the whole interview is out the window for me.

[@Talmudets]

How can you tailor you linked in job description profile, when you apply to different kind types of positions with different versions of resumes, tailored toward each position specifically. I learned in 3 months now, the most interviews I got from tailored resume versions. But how can you change your LinkedIn job description every time you apply for each position, you don't know at which point each hiring manager is looking at your LinkedIn.

[@preservinghistory84]

@@Talmudets Who said I tailored my LinkedIn to the job description? I don't do that. "And I review my LinkedIn page to remind myself of what is on there (such as work examples, etc.) that the company might be interested in."

[@dhenderson1810]

I think a tip too is to relax and be genuine. If you know the job and are confident in it, then if you are genuine, they know that you aren't feeding them a line and actually know how to do the job.

[@ryuhaneda]

Thank you for posting. Interviewing is a skill that can be exercised and improved upon even when you’re in the middle of a good run at a job. Nice to get your perspective, will certainly start asking “clarifying questions” and will try to learn my audience more. Thank you!

[@yehoshua77]

Practice don’t rehearse is great advice. Reminds me of long-time classical musicians. They can play anything written on a page, but often have no ability to improvise, riff, or jam without written notation. And you definitely need the ability to improvise in an interview!

[@justindonato6436]

As a poker player, I appreciate the “on tilt” reference! 🙂

[@n.d.7931]

Oh wow you just described me and my interviewing experience with 100% accuracy.

[@cassieroot1807]

Thank you for sharing this. I've got serveral friends looking for new opportunities and have directed them to your channel. They've all given great feedback that your content is so valuable! Good work, Brian.

[@bairfreedom]

I asked in my recent interview if there was anything that made him hesitate about having me fill the position. He said no, he thinks I would be great, but my answers are long . Lol we both had a laugh and he was blind sided by such a blunt question. I'll find out tomorrow if it was enough to snag the job

[@oluwatosin221]

It's been 3 months, just curious, did you get it?

[@ADAPTATION7]

Another tip is to go to an interview even if you don't want the job in the first place. The purpose is to hone your skills from interview to interview. Practice is not enough. Perfect practice is the ultimate goal.

[@robinjayasvasti9598]

I want to thank you, for all of your honest and concise advice! I've utilized your information in every step of my job hunting, during my 'Life After Layoff'. I appreciate your content! I'm prepping for my dream job interview this week and your tips/ tricks / insights are a vital part of that prep.

[@LilFoxyCosplay]

I remember a uni placement interview they asked me questions i rambled my answers not understanding the questions Somehow i got it 😂😂 left after a couple months though due to severe mental health struggles but back on my feet now

[@BDavid760]

Ive looked and didnt see a video for interviewing for im house positions...i think thst would be a good video...mainly because its the position i find myself in now.

[@theprimalpitch190]

Max 3-5 minutes? Yikes, better do 0.5 to 2.0 and then ask if more details is desired.

[@cdbyford]

If you are open and accepting of this, have friends/colleagues you trust to interview you, one on one or in a panel and then get feedback. Sometimes body language or a tick or something that you aren't aware of can be noticed and you can find a better strategy to present yourself.

[@MR3DDev]

This are all good tips and I don't want to undermine any of them, but if you know what you are talking about and you know you are the best for the job you will most likely be fine. Make sure when you pick a job to apply for is something that you are really comfortable not only doing but explaining. In my case having an entire KZbin channel explaining what I do has helped a lot.

[@sashay404]

Love, love your videos!

[@uacbpa]

Great tips. Thank you. I'm planning on interviewing soon.

[@AFuller2020]

Tell you prospect of how you support "quiet quitting" that should go well.

[@Residentevilfan1989]

Do you have all this for introverts?

[@gregmcfarland5189]

What to do with interviews that have multiple interviewers ?

[@Grymyrk]

I'm preparing for being interviewed by interviewing people at my current job.

[@mitch-lifestyle1692]

Excellent tips ! Thx !

[@jennyc5100]

Thanks, Brian!

[@se2664]

Idk how I’m supposed to practice an interview instead of rehearsing …. because when I don’t mention all the details for a question I fail

[@edmell3190]

Good video as always. These days the tables have turned. Would you consider making a video for interviewers? I feel they should really step up their game to get rockstar candidates. I've actually turned down opportunities because the interview experience was so poor.

[@ALifeAfterLayoff]

Perhaps. But my channel is more geared toward the job seeker than the interviewer.

[@Talmudets]

@@ALifeAfterLayoff hello, if you don't know a software or a program, platform, can you answer you know something similar or just say honesty no experience with whatever in job description. Also if you put some things on your resume that you don't have much direct experience but did it on your job at some point over 10 years, how to respond to that on the interview. Thank you!

[@KattMurr]

Any advice for someone interviewing for a state job? Many of your tips aren't applicable when interviewing for a position with the state, in my case New York. For example, I am unable to find out names of people in higher up positions, so trying to find out more about the interviewer is pretty much not possible. Also sometimes trying to find the specifics of the position itself is not possible either....just a vague outline. Usually the interview itself is where I learn more details about the job....

[@jaredlash5002]

I've worked in several state jobs, though not in New York. My advice is to look over the job posting / description for as much about the position as you can. You should have a general idea already of what the department with whom you're interviewing does, if not then you should look that up. If there is a civil service examination, you can search Google for others' experiences taking that same exam; you are unlikely to have been the first. If you're expecting there to be behavioral interview questions, then you can do a search for common behavioral interview questions which should give you a good idea of what to expect. There are too many to just memorize answers to, but one technique I've used successfully is to keep a list of major projects I've worked on in my interview notes which I could then refer back to prior to answering the question. Behavioral questions are typically based on the premise that you can judge how someone would act in the future by how they acted in the past. Answer the questions in the "STAR" format: Situation/Task, Action, Result. (That can be searched for too.) Good luck!

[@Aleah81]

How abt a company that posts their job only with titles one below each other all together in the same post without addying any description or requested qualifications to each one of them? When I applied for one of them and was contacted for an interview I requested the descriptions and didnt get an answer...

[@iyana025]

Hello how to answer a question why you received low annual performance review in a job interview. Let's say reason was changes in the management.

[@LittleMissRockChalk]

Any tips on how to communicate with hiring managers when you're waiting for an answer or next step? Earlier this month I had a 4th-round interview. My interviewer told me I would move on to the final round, which is to meet the president at headquarters. She said to be patient and that it would take 1-2 weeks to coordinate, and tomorrow makes 2 weeks and 4 days. When should I reach out so it doesn't become forgotten about?

[@TML34]

I’m going through this too and am sending a follow up email tomorrow after 2 weeks.

[@LucTaylor]

I was being interviewed and the person interviewing me claimed I had agreed in a previous interview to learn a specific technology I am 100% positive this was the first time in the process, maybe in my life, that I had heard of this tool This completely threw me off The way I responded after, I'm positive, cost me the job Gherkin is based on Cucumber, which I actually did have some experience with Instead of selling myself as a person who worked on a team that got a successful Cucumber implementation running, I recreated the thought process that ultimately led us to ABANDON using this technology Obviously the employer was asking because this is what they used and what I would have been using in the role -- sigh --

[@joedavenport2477]

Panel interviews are the worst for me. I hate them with a passion. One on one interviews are MUCH easier for me.

[@athomewithrobin292]

💯

[@pepsastomna7758]

It still feels retarded when a recruiter is talking for 40 minutes, but looks at me oddly, when I spend 5 minutes talking. The job market is bonkers and mostly due to HR/Recruiters

[@athomewithrobin292]

💯

[@ajr993]

Take a few minutes to answer the question? I mean that looks bad IMO. Interviewer asks a question and you're just chilling/thinking for a few minutes while an awkward emptiness fills the air. I could understand 5-10 seconds, but if I imagine myself as an interviewer you probably shouldn't need a few minutes for each question if you're qualified for the position. You also shouldn't ever be winging these questions. You can anticipate most questions, and if you're prepared you'll be able to answer quickly in a way that makes you sound good. The only exception to this is technical questions, which are of course going to require more thoughts so taking a few minutes to think about it is wise, although you should be thinking outloud so the interviewer can understand your thought process. Thinking out loud for a technical interview also demonstrates strong communication and collaboration skills.

[@quiksilver78]

I'm currently in the thick of trying to find a regular job. I understand that you want to grow your channel and have to keep coming up with ideas for new videos, but I have to be honest, all these videos, tips, tricks, this and that, it seems like a losing battle just trying to get a call back, never mind the actual interviewing process. It's disheartening when you know you qualify for the position advertised but you are at the mercy of the person on the other side of the room making you jump through hoops or endure a whole dog and pony show. It's deflating and maddening. Then there's the matter of $297 for a resume rocket fuel writing course or whatever it's called. There should be an option to pay AFTER you're hired and with your first paycheck from your new job.

[@mivids100]

1

[@Swift016]

[This is a generic user comment. Thanks.]

[@JUMALATION1]

This is probably an introvert / scaredy-cat approach but I am terrified about that I as a potential employee have (in my own silly mind) "stalked someone" by looking them up on LinkedIn. I don't have LinkedIn Premium and can't afford it either so I can't do it without someone noticing.

[@alexischicoine2072]

Sometimes you can have someone you know check the person with you ;)