The Interview Ace

We’re all bored of hearing that typical cliche time and time again: “If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.” Blah, blah, blah! Well, I think most of us can agree that this cliche has rung true many times in our own lives. Think about it… Remember that one time? Yup! You should have prepared! Well, an interview is certainly no different.

In fact, it’s probably one of the times in our lives when we definitely do need to put in the hard yards right upfront since the upside of this is a job of our dreams (hopefully), a great salary that gives us wings to fly around the world or just fly in general, and a great position that helps us grow into big grown-up people who do whatever big grown-ups do.

In this chapter, you will learn two key aspects:

1. Understanding who you are and how to present that in the right way

2. Understanding who they are so that you pitch yourself in an appropriate way where you can pick out the aspects of yourself that really do relate to the position you are applying for.

So keep an eye out for sections on ‘Strengths’ and ‘Stories’ since those really form the foundation of your interview. You may even see a little mention or three of your own personal ‘Highlights Reel’, kind of what you do on Facebook, but this will be the real tangible things that you’ve done in your life that could swing the vote in your direction. Everyone loves a swing vote!

Swing away skippy!

Remember to download your Interview Ace Worksheet in Section 1.

Are you ready to be a shining STAR? Or maybe you’re ready to reach for the STARs? Perhaps you want to be the star in the eyes of your interviewers?

Can someone muzzle me already? These cliches just keep rolling on out.

But really, this next chapter focuses on the STAR Technique. You may be thinking ‘I know I’m a star so can you stop wasting my time!’ but hear me out.

S-T-A-R is an interview technique used by leading recruitment specialists from around the world. Why this is important to you is that it provides structure and consistency to your answers and makes it easier for interviewers to understand and record your answers in a memorable and clear way. This results in you being the sparkliest star of them all.

In the previous chapter you came up with your highlights reel, your personal greatest hits and then you recorded these in stories. This chapter helps you put those strengths and stories into a clear, easy-to-follow format using the STAR technique helping you become more memorable than any of the other candidates vying for the same job.

So look out for what STAR stands for and how you can order your answers in the right way that make you more appealing and memorable.

Ready to sparkle like pony? Giddiup!

Remember to download your Interview Ace Worksheet in Section 1.

Are you looking for a short cut to the big time? Well this chapter is just that!

In every interview there are bound to be the usual questions that every recruiter asks you, we like to call them the ‘Usual Suspects’. Knowing what they are gives you an opportunity to really prepare some great answers that give you a little morale boost right up front and ensures that you really do shine like a diamond.

In this chapter you will learn about ‘question groups’ which help you prepare a well polished answer that could relate to more than one question, thus saving you preparation time and knocking down your waffling word count. You see, a short cut!! You’re most welcome!

Remember that the key to answering the big questions effectively is in linking these questions with the relevant stories about who you are and what you can offer. Which takes me back to Chapter 1 where you came up with your strengths and stories, in Chapter 2 you learnt how to structure your strengths and stories in a clear and easy-to-follow format and now in Chapter 3, you will learn what big questions you’re bound to be asked and how to manage them.

Your big break is just around the river bend.

Remember to download your Interview Ace Worksheet in Section 1.

Whilst you’ve been riding the rapids of the river we have been preparing Chapter 4 for you. In this chapter you will learn why it’s important to ask questions, and most importantly, when to actually ask your super duper smart questions.

In the last chapter you learnt about the ‘Usual Suspects’- the questions that you usually get asked. By now you should have already prepared your answers to those questions and what question groups these questions fall into, remember the short cut? That’s right!

Up until this grand point, you have noted down your strengths, skills, stories and how to apply these to the STAR methodology. You have also prepared your answers to the ‘Usual Suspects’. Now it’s time to flip the interview on it’s head and for you to start asking some of your own questions, checking that the organisation is a good fit for you too.

Ready to learn the flik flak?

Are you ready for the spice of life? It’s time for the chapter that everyone’s been waiting for… Salary Negotiation and how to handle the gremlin question. Let’s be honest with ourselves here... We all want to love our jobs and many of us do, but we’re also not doing it just for the love of it. We also want to get paid and enjoy the other spices of life.

In the last section you learnt about asking questions and question timing, in this chapter you will learn how to handle the tough question, ‘What salary would you be looking for if you joined us?’. And in order to do that, it’s important that you know your worth and you know the role.

So keep a look out for mention of glassdoor, salary brackets and how to remain cool and calm when the question comes up.

[Sound of your spice draw being pulled open] It looks like your spice draw need's a little shake up! Shake it baby!

Please download your Interview Ace Worksheet now.

Guess what?!

You’re just about to receive Interview Maestro status. One more chapter to go until you’re ready to interview for the job of a lifetime.

The virtual interview has shimmied its way into the interview process giving recruiters and interviewers the freedom to interview people from around the world. This makes things pretty exciting for you since you are no longer limited by your location and busy schedule.

In the last chapter you learnt how to deal with the gremlin questions surrounding salary negotiation. In this last and final chapter you will learn how to look like the Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts of interview candidates when handling yourself during the virtual interview.

Look out for tips on how to better present yourself, take note of the virtual sticky notes- this is a super cool tip- and finally how to prepare your environment.

Are you ready for the Pretty Woman sound track? Lights! Camera! Action!

Please download your Interview Ace Worksheet now.

Congratulations!

You have officially completed The Interview Ace Course.

It’s time for you to spread those wings and soar!

In the wise words of Dr Seuss:

The more that you read,

The more you will know.

The more that you learn

The more places you will go.

May you find your freedom.

To infinity and beyond!