Interview

3 Things Interviewers Are Evaluating You On in Hypotheticals

  • On November 29, 2015
Interviewers frequently ask hypotheticals on how you would handle a particular situation. To ace this part of the interview, you need to know where the interviewers are coming from. They are evaluating:  our mastery of the subject matter. Sometimes interviewers ask you to explain something from your current job, for example. In that case, make […]
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Interview

How to Interview with the CEO

  • On November 1, 2015
Senior attorneys often interview with the CEO in the final round. This article by the CEO of Russell Reynolds lays out what to do.  Identify what the CEO should learn about you. The CEO can’t read your mind, and you need to tell your story to buttress why should you get the job. Prepare to be asked about who has […]
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Interview, Presentation

The Most Critical Part of Presentation

  • On August 30, 2015
You may think the most critical part of presenting yourself professionally is dressing the part or speaking with confidence. While all that is helpful, telling a clear story about yourself is most important. For example, in an interview context, do you explain why you are interested and how your past naturally leads you to this point? Or is your story a complicated […]
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Compensation, Interview, Process

How to Answer the Desired Salary Question

  • On May 24, 2015
When interviewing, you are asked, “What is your desired compensation?” You don’t want to take yourself out of the running with a number that’s too high or too low, and you don’t want to shortchange yourself. Some things to think about below. I’m gratified to see the New York Times business column The Workologist responded similarly! At an […]
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Interview

Getting Interviewed by the CEO

  • On May 3, 2015
As you get more senior, you may have to interview with the CEO to get the job. How can you prepare? This NYT Q&A with Sue Desmond-Hellman, the CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, lists her standard interview questions, which are all very straightforward:  Why you are interested in this role? How has your career path […]
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Interview

Can I Discuss a Bad Work Situation in an Intervew?

  • On April 19, 2015
This week’s New York Times’ business column addresses interview questions about a (bad) work situation or (bad) boss. So can you let loose? The answer is no. Some things to think about: Criticizing employers is risky. Managers may think you can’t handle tough situations or will complain about them in the future. Don’t paint a fake picture, but certainly […]
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Interview

It’s Not Just Lunch.

  • On March 8, 2015
How you interact with everyone, not just the interviewer, affects whether you get the job. I like how this article breaks down how interviewers evaluate candidates over a lunch interview. Beyond your substantive knowledge, interviewers are watching how you: Interact with the staff. Are you polite and respectful or hierarchical and short? Employers need someone who can work well across […]
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Inhouse, Interview, Process

Phone Interview Tips

  • On February 22, 2015
For in-house jobs, the interview process often starts with a phone screen for the employer’s top 5-8 candidates. From that group, the top 2-3 are brought in live before any decisions are made. So if you are at the phone screen stage, you have a decent shot at the job! Take this call very seriously. A […]
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Interview

When Can You Check In on Status After an Interview?

  • On January 11, 2015
​​Following up once after an interview if you haven’t heard in a week (yes, SEVEN days) is fine. If you are checking in more than that, you might be a pest. Some exceptions (i.e., when it’s OK to follow-up more frequently) include: Giving relevant new information about your work status, like you received another offer. […]
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Interview

How to Answer “Tell me about yourself”

  • On October 26, 2014
The most common question in an interview is “tell me about yourself” (or the close relative “walk me through your resume.”). Don’t answer this question literally! Think about why you are being asked. Interviewers want to know what you bring to the table and if you can do the job. Some guidelines to answer this question […]
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