5 Tips to Rock Your Next Interview

Guest post written by Julie, founder of MillennialBoss.com.

When I first graduated college, I went to interview after interview but I didn’t get any offers. I had no idea what I was doing wrong.

Three years later, I became a manager and started interviewing candidates for my own team. By interviewing others, I could see exactly what I was doing wrong before. I've now created an interview blueprint that works for me.

I recently applied for jobs and received offers at all four of the companies I interviewed with! All four offers included a substantial raise and bonus. I now want to share what I’ve learned about interviewing to help other young professionals get ahead.

1. Prepare Stories

Stories are powerful interview tools. They allow candidates to share their knowledge and values. Compelling stories also produce important chemical changes in the brain that could improve chances of hire.

The best candidates understand the powerful impact of storytelling and come prepared with a short list of stories. The five stories you need to prepare for any interview are as follows:

• The "tell me about yourself" story
• The "why do you want this job" story
• The "conflict" story
• The "greatest weakness" story
• The "why should we hire you" story

Most candidates expect these five interview questions but they don't spend any time preparing short stories that support their answers. Stories are more effective than standard interview responses because 1) they're easier for interviewers to remember after the interview ends and 2) they're much more engaging for the interviewer.

Keeping the interviewer engaged is an underrated interview skill since candidates tend to ramble on when they're nervous or falsely assume that the more details they pack into their response, the better.

A short but engaging response beats a long-winded, detailed tangent any day.

The best stories typically start with an explanation of the situation or task at hand, the action that the candidate took, and then the result of their action, preferably a quantitative result. This method is referred to as the STAR approach.

The STAR Approach:

Situation/Task (S/T): My company recently migrated over to a new content platform and I was charged with leading the migration team.

Action (A): We had thousands of pages of content to migrate over and not enough time to move everything over before the new website launched so I analyzed which pages were more frequently visited and we migrated those first. 

Result (R): We didn't lose any search traffic, eliminated 404 errors due to the migration, and actually increased our page views 10% because the new platform had more sharing functionality.

The STAR approach to storytelling is short, shows what the interviewer personally did to improve the situation, and includes the quantitative results.

The best candidates go into the interview with a few prepared success stories and then think on their feet to determine which story would best answer the question.

2. Keep nerves at bay

A nervous candidate (and all of the physical reactions that come along with nervousness including shaking hands, wavering voice, and fidgeting) can be distracting for an interviewer. The interviewer may lose focus, start feeling bad for the candidate, or even start to comfort them.

Nervousness can completely kill an interview. Candidates want to present themselves as a desirable addition to the team and not a nervous wreck.

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"Keeping the interviewer engaged is an underrated interview skill since candidates tend to ramble on when they're nervous or falsely assume that the more details they pack into their response, the better."

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I remember I interviewed a woman who was running late to the interview and it completely threw her off. She was nervous, her hands were shaking, and she was having trouble answering my questions. She even stopped the interview at one point to apologize for her nervousness. It was distracting for me.

The best way to keep the nerves at bay is to practice calming down and getting into interview mode before the interview. Take a walk, exercise, or even watch funny YouTube videos prior to an interview to relax.

Or, if you want to get pumped up, listen to music. I listened to Alicia Keyes “Girl on Fire” before an interview a few years ago and I swear it got me in the right mindset. Do whatever it takes to get yourself into interview mode and ready to make a confident first impression.

3. Convey passion

Always convey how excited and grateful you are about the opportunity, even if the job is not sexy at all. Interviewers want to hire candidates who seem genuinely interested in the position and excited to work there.

Second, make sure your prepared stories give you a chance to showcase your passion or pride in your work. When you're talking about something that excites you or you're passionate about, your eyes light up. Your emotional expression can have a positive impression on your interviewer.

Third, you might find that you and your interviewer have a hobby in common that you are both passionate about. Take advantage of that commonality. Conveying passion for a discovered shared interest can only benefit you in an interview.

4. Set the mood

The best candidates know that creating a positive atmosphere is the key to nailing any interview.

Give off positive vibes at all times by avoiding negative stories or comments that can make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Downer topics that are off-limits for interviews include:

• Criticism of your current boss or coworkers
• Frustrating work experiences with no resolution
• Tough mental and emotional struggles you may be going through

You want the interviewer leaving the room feeling great about the interview and about you, not thinking about how much your current boss stinks, your emotional struggles, or worse wondering if you're a risky hire.

In addition, don't ask your interviewer any questions that may make them feel uneasy.

I’ve had a few candidates end an interview by asking me if I had any reservations about hiring them. It made me feel super uncomfortable and like I was about to get sued if I said the wrong thing. That killed the mood and I left the room feeling weird.

Set the mood and make your interviewer feel at ease and comfortable.

5. Ask real questions

So many candidates ask the same questions at the end of the interview. It can be so boring for the interviewer to answer “so tell me about a typical day in the job” or some other standard question over and over.

Candidate questions are usually the last part of an interview and the last chance to make a good impression. Don't waste it by asking boring questions!

Ask something meaningful, well-thought out, and something that you really want to know.

Unfortunately, this is something that you cannot prepare ahead of time. Think on your feet and ask a thoughtful question based upon your discussion earlier in the interview. You can always have the standard questions in your back pocket if you need them but don’t reach for them right away.

Candidates who ask thoughtful questions are more memorable and greatly improve their chances of hire.

Julie is the founder of MillennialBoss.com, a personal finance and lifestyle blog that helps young professionals build wealth and boost their careers. She recently paid off $89,000 of debt and launched her free ebook, Debt Boss, which takes readers step-by-step through the process of paying off their student loans, car loans, and credit card debt.

Meeting Planner & Event Manager

Kali A. "As an in-house meeting planner for a trade association, I am responsible for the three member meetings held annually in April, August, and December at various locations across the US. I manage all aspects of the meetings from pre-planning to on-site execution including: development of event budget, RFP creation and disbursement, site visit, venue selection, contract negotiation, marketing strategy and implementation, registration, shipping, food and beverage needs, audio/visual needs, auxiliary events, staffing coordination, and on-site logistics."

Education

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Required License(s) None required, but I have my CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and it certainly helped me get the job I have now.

Required Degree(s) Usually requires a college degree

Importance of GPA somewhat important

What do you need to do to maintain your license(s)?

You need to earn a certain amount of CEU (Continuing Education Credits) every 5 years to renew the CMP.

Kali's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree
Kali's College Major: Business Administration - Marketing
Kali's College GPA Range: 3.6 - 3.9

Salary

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The most recent salary survey said the average was around $75,000.

It varies greatly depending on location, amount of experience, management level, etc.

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

I interned for the American Volleyball Coaches Association in college where I was assigned to the events. I fell in love with planning, so I decided that's what I wanted to do. The AVCA hired me full time after college. After 3 years there, I got my current job with AI. Employers are very focused on experience in this field. Skip the extra degree and do an internship where you get real event experience.

How important was networking to landing your position?

Somewhat important. Lexington is a smaller city so people are bound to have someone in common.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

If I'm in the office, it's working at my desk answering emails, planning out event details, or on the phone with hotels or vendors. If it's an event week, we are on-site running everything. It's long hours but so much fun. If it's a site visit, I'm in a city alone touring hotels, restaurants, etc. Those are the most exciting since the local representatives show you the best the location has to offer!

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

Very close

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

In my current position and at my specific company, no.

What is the best thing about your job?

Traveling around the country and touring locations I would not be able to visit personally. Also, getting to execute experiences for other people and seeing their reactions—it's very rewarding to see it all come together.

What is the worst thing about your job?

A lot of planners complain about long hours. My current position is very fair about hours. Actual event days are long, but those are only 3 weeks a year. This job does tend to put you in high-stress environments and forces you to make quick decisions on your feet.

How demanding is your job?

My specific job is good with managing time. They know we work hard when we have to, so they are flexible at other times (not all companies are like that). If time is a big issue for you (maybe you have a family), I would suggest trying to find a small company that really cares about their employees and values what's important. Again, there is some stress with this job, mostly on-site. But if you have a good team around you and can be decisive in stressful moments, it's not bad.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

It depends on the company, I would say. I'm a single planner here, but some companies have teams of planners. In that case, you could move up to manage a team. Otherwise, you may have to move companies to achieve a higher title or better pay.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

Thinking on your feet Excellent customer service Being able to hide your emotions/stresses to look put together in front of attendees—it can be a mess behind the scenes but the attendees need to think everything is running smoothly. Aggressiveness in negotiating Attention to detail Organization Excellent communication skills

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

If you want to do something that is unique and challenging, this is a great field. The benefits and perks FAR outweigh the stresses.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

Yes

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Kali's site here. Want to read later? Pin me -->

Here's How to Network If You Actually Want to Get a Job

Networking—it is to job hunting what kale is to health fanatics. It's the be-all and end-all of the industry, the magic potion you sort of wish everyone would stop talking about.

But like kale, even if networking does seem a bit "overdone," the hype around it is well-earned. I mean, networking has helped me land jobs and has introduced me to one of my most valued mentors (and a good friend).

So yes, while networking won't take the place of a good education (and kale smoothies won't do much if you chase them with vodka), having a solid professional network and a kale salad is better than not having them.

But the question is, where in the world do you get a professional network?

Well, the answer is simple: anywhere and everywhere. Seriously—you can meet valuable contacts anywhere, from a networking event to Thursday happy hour. Because here's the secret: professional contacts are real people who, like you, do real people things. (Mind blowing, right?)

So the best thing you can do to grow your network is simply be open and genuine.

That being said, the reality is that sometimes, you need to actively seek out your professional contacts. (There are a lot of happy hour bars, after all; you might not always be at the same one as your potential mentor.)

So today, I'm sharing three of my favorite places to look for professional connections. (P.S. They're my favorite because they're the ones that have actually worked for me.)

1. LinkedIn

If we're going to start somewhere, let's start with the basics: ol' trusty LinkedIn.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Really? I'm introducing you to LinkedIn? What is this, 2002? I mean, that's pre-Britney head shave—not exactly new info.

And this is true.

But what may be new info is that LinkedIn is more than just a less-fun form of Facebook. For example, you may not know about LinkedIn's "advanced" search option, where you can narrow your search down to things like title, company, school, location, and even relationship (2nd connections, group members, etc.).

Basically, LinkedIn allows you to narrow your search to find exactly the person you're looking for. So instead of going through, say, 57,000 Google employees, you can narrow your search down to find the friend of a friend who went to your Alma mater. Mischief managed, indeed!

2. CareerShift

Speaking of Alma maters, fellow alumni are always solid people to include in your professional network; they're more likely to respect you right off the bat, and if all else fails, you two can at least lament your school's flailing football team together.

This is why I like using CareerShift: like LinkedIn, it allows you to search for contacts using school as a criterion. It's one of my secret weapons for finding alumni in my field.

The downside to CareerShift is they charge you for a membership (about $50/month if you pay monthly, which is no small potatoes). That being said, some universities (like mine) offer free memberships you can access using your school email address. If CareerShift is something you're interested in, it's worth contacting your university to inquire about!

3. Your school's alumni directory

Last but not least, another place you can find solid professional contacts is your school's alumni directory. (I'm sure by now you can tell how valuable I think alumni connections can be!) Although this method may take a bit more work (depending on how your Alma mater's directory is set up), being able to start an email with, "Dear Mr. Longbottom, I found your contact information through Hogwart's alumni network..." can be invaluable.

Of course, this list is just a small handful of places you can find potential professional contacts. And once you find those potential contacts, this is only the beginning of building your network. (This post goes into more detail on networking mistakes you can make when you want to get a job.)

But even if this list is only a small portion of the first small steps to networking, like a Brian Tracy once said, "The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers." So take a page from ol' Brian's book, and let's hear it for winning.

What is your go-to for networking? Have you used any of the sites on this list before?