As 2024 has begun, we’d thought we’d revisit a critical job-hunt topic: how to ace a job interview.
You’ve no doubt read one or more of these types of posts over the years, yet we believe this year will be different enough that this post is warranted. After all, AI is becoming a big part of our lives and even within our jobs. The pandemic also has changed a LOT about how navigate the world of work.
Therefore, interview questions may be different than the ones you heard the last time you were job searching.
- “I see you left your last three jobs in the last three years. Why?” (Job hopping was a “thing during the pandemic.)
There are about three really good reasons to leave a job. (You can use more than one.)
- The new job paid more.
- The commute was far less. (Or, as far as today is concerned, the new job was remote.)
- You’d reached a dead end in your previous position and you wanted more challenges/a chance to advance in your career.
Of course, if you left one job for more money, but then left THAT one within 12-18 months, you do need another good reason (especially if you left the third one within a year or so).
Good answers for these circumstances could include that the job wasn’t what the hiring manager said it would be, you found that the corporate culture wasn’t one you felt comfortable in (and you’d need to have a good, yet professional, description of why it was uncomfortable), and so on.
- “How comfortable are you using AI? How well do you think you use AI?”
You should give some examples of how you’ve used artificial intelligence, even if it’s “only” been within your personal life.
If you’ve used it on the job, describe how you used it.
Many people are still worried about how AI doesn’t write very well, how it often gets facts wrong, etc., and that some people use the tool to write things and then claim they wrote it themselves, so your answers should be something along the lines of;
- You use it for ideas/outlines, etc.
- You DO check its facts to make sure they’re accurate.
- And so on.
- “Are you applying for other positions?”
Understand that you SHOULD apply for other jobs while job hunting.
- Doing so helps increase your odds of finding a job more quickly.
- You also could find yourself in the happy position of having to choose among job offers (using that fact to negotiate for a higher salary/job benefits from the hiring manager at the job you really want).
Understand that you don’t have to say that you are (although many people understandably are loathe to out-and-out-lie if asked.) Also, most hiring managers/recruiters understand that you likely have applications with several other companies.
If you do say that you are applying for other jobs, all you need to say is yes.
If you really want this job and you feel you have a great shot at it (you’re sensing interest in you from the interviewer), you could say something along the lines of:
“I am applying elsewhere/have other interviews lined up. Yet, from our discussion here and my research, I feel that this role so far is the best fit for me. I believe this role would be one of my top options.
- “Are you comfortable with hybrid work?”
Before answering, understand that if you say yes but really want fully remote, you’re doing both you and your potential employer a disservice.
Come onboard after agreeing to hybrid work and if you ask to change to fully remote it won’t go well.
We recommend knowing the answer to the question before your interview. If you want fully remote and you know the position will be hybrid, it’s best if you withdraw your application.
We’re always looking for great people for our terrific clients. Take a look at our current opportunities and apply to those that appeal to you.
Even if you don’t see anything now, send us your resume because we have many positions with our clients that we never list because there’s no need to: we fill them with people who registered with us.