Clarifying Questions

[@jeffhsipepi]

Hi everyone, in this video I provide 15 tips to help you deliver great clarifying questions to open-ended/hypothetical questions in an interview, good luck!

[@Gamecenter456]

Thanks for everything J. I’ll be on your live hopefully tomorrow for about 30 mins then I’ll be attending my interview. Tomorrow’s the big day.

[@jeffhsipepi]

@Gamecenter456, amazing! I will be on in less than an hour and happy to answer any last minute questions. Also, I strongly recommend shutting down for 15 to 30 minutes before the interview and just relaxing/meditating to clear your mind!

[@Gamecenter456]

@@jeffhsipepi Will do. if your still on, I’ll try to hop on live as soon as I’m done.

[@albert87jjy]

Hi Jeff. I just had my interview with the hiring manager at Google and your videos have been super helpful and invaluable. Thank you so much.

[@jeffhsipepi]

A, awesome, good luck and keep us posted!!

[@cloudparadigms9265]

Hey Jeff, great video. I wanted to get your thoughts on how long you should be taking to think through the question prior to asking the clarifying questions? I know you mentioned in previous videos to take a moment to think things through, but how long would you suggest is appropriate? Additionally, how long should you be taking to think things through after your clarifying answers are given? I find that often times I'm taking about 2-3 mins to structure out my thoughts regarding clarifying questions, assumptions, frameworks and solutions. Is that too much? Should it be closer to 1-2mins? Thanks!

[@jeffhsipepi]

Cloud Paradigms, great question, I should have added this to the video. I like taking about one minute before asking clarifying questions and adding no additional time once you get into your answer. Remember, figuring out the clarification should only take about 10-15 seconds because you have your pre-planned questions on your cheat sheet, so you are just taking a moment to consider the ambiguous words. Then you should have your frameworks written down, so ideally you pick one that you have memorized that pertains to the question. The other 45 seconds should be thinking about assumptions and the one framework concept you want to start solving for in your solution. I know this seems like A LOT in one minute. The key is practicing with someone else to really get your timing down. I hope this helps!

[@cloudparadigms9265]

@@jeffhsipepi Thanks Jeff! Much appreciated. Looking forward to the upcoming live!

[@jeffhsipepi]

@@cloudparadigms9265 See you soon!

[@AnhBui-zp1ee]

Ty Jeff

[@jeffhsipepi]

Anh, thanks for watching!

[@disruptionage1943]

Hi Jeff, thanks so much for your videos! It’s been my go-to resources in preparing for my Google interviews! I just passed my second round of Google interview (non technical role). First was one with hiring manager and second was the one with another team. As I understand from my recruiter, there will be 1 more round of interview and been positive so far. I have few questions to hope to get your advice 1) for last round of interview, what’s the best way to prepare for it? 2) I’m also planning to sign up for your salary negotiation coaching session. Does it make sense to sign up now or wait until after third round? I’m just thinking ahead that recruiter could potentially reach out to start asking for my salary expectation after third interview and want to play it correctly. Thanks so much!!!

[@jeffhsipepi]

Disruption Age, make sure your Recruiter is telling you the focus area and what to prepare for, they know best, it really depends on the role. Reach out to me once you have passed the final stage (HC or general approval). Give no numbers, no matter how much they push! Good luck!

[@RyanLazzareschi]

Hi Jeff! Your videos have helped me get to the team matching stage! I’m a new grad interviewing for L3 software engineering positions and have had three team match calls so far. I’m wondering if compensation will vary depending on what team I match with? Thanks a ton and keep up the great work!

[@jeffhsipepi]

Ryan, nope! The comp team looks at only three items, role, level, and location. Now, for a SWE role, if one was on an AI/ML team, maybe you could negotiate for higher comp because that particular type of SWE is in such high demand, but otherwise it will be the same, good luck!!

[@sushil0809]

Hi Jeff do. You have a video for product managers ? What does Google look for in them ?

[@jeffhsipepi]

Sushil, I did a video with Stephen from Exponent - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX3Fl3aIhpd2b9k and I recommend checking out his website for practice questions and content - www.tryexponent.com/

[@maithilikinhikar1809]

Can you make a video on how to answer, tell me a conflicting situation that you have faced. Also can you help in mentioning weaknesses

[@jeffhsipepi]

@maithilikinhikar1809, these videos might help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5-blmWOfa6KhMU, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ64iaShmqpnask

[@maximus7288]

Hi Jeff, I find it a little confusing when you say to ask all those items for clarifying questions (new vs old, biz vs tech, scope, time, budget, risks, etc, etc,) and later you only recommend to ask 3 to 5 questions, so we should only pick 3 of those items to ask the interviewers I assume?. Also, when you sense you're annoying your interviewer with all those questions, I assume we should switch immediately to the thought process, is this correct?

[@jeffhsipepi]

Maximus, 3-5 is recommended, so yes, all these questions are just ideas, pick your favorites. If your interviewer starts to get annoyed, move onto your framework.

[@ste4053]

Hi Jeff! Thank you so much for the contents. What do i do if my recruiter is not getting back to me with the answers I asked via email? (He said be would). Don’t wanna annoy him

[@jeffhsipepi]

ste4053, annoy him, but just be gracious and kind when doing it!!

[@selminsue8047]

Hello, thank you for providing us with this insightful content. I have applied online on November for the Account Strategist position, an interviewer reached out to me to reschedule my phone interview by January, I made it to the next stage which consisted of 45 min RRK Interview. It’s been a week now and I still haven’t heard back from them yet (I’ve sent a follow-up email). Although, I wasn’t sure if I made it to the onsite/hangout interview round yet, because I was expecting to have them all scheduled at the same time and then get a general feedback accordingly. (Not my case apparently, is it normal?) Ps: I got an offer from my second choice employer, I don’t have so much time to decide upon it and I really need to know at which interview stage I am. Have I been ghosted? What do you think? Thank you in advance.

[@jeffhsipepi]

Selmin sue, follow up again immediately and tell your Recruiter you remain excited and interested in the role, but that you have a competing offer in hand, this will typically get a response, good luck!