The Interview, In Consideration

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I've written before on resumes, and I wanted to share some thoughts on the interview. The resume gets the interview, the interview gets the job. Here's how I break down an interview, these will usually go no longer than 30 min.

The Interview, In Consideration

• Breaking the ice, initial discussions
  
• Discussions of core capabilities
  
• Intellectual skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Motivation and work skills
• Problem solving skills
• Alignment with Company Values
• Things to Have a View and Be Prepared to Discuss (doesn't matter which side of the argument you come down on, merely be prepared to discuss the merits of each view)
  
• Economy
• Geo-political situation (world view)
  
• Education
• Housing
• Transportation and infrastructure
• Companies you admire and why
• Stocks you think would be a good pick and why
  
• Professional publications you read and why
• Conferences/Training you'd like to attend and why
  
• Things Interviewers Hate
• Being a "know-it-all", over-aggressive, or overbearing
• Condemnation of past employers
  
• Tardiness and/or bad handshake
• Lack of manners (no written thank-you note, cell phone ringing)
  
• Bad personal appearance (personal grooming)
  
• Lack of confidence, no eye contact, distracted during questions
  
• Lack of involvement in school or extracurricular activities
• Rambling answers, verbal slang, filler words
  
• Having no questions to ask (ask about training, supervision, work environment, duties and responsibilities)
  
• Asking questions, just to ask questions
• Over-emphasis on money
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm (lack of knowledge of the organization, mission, values)
  
• Not knowing the job to which you are applying
• Not asking for the job
  

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