Instant Alert: Goldman Sachs HR chief shares 5 tips for acing your job interview

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Goldman Sachs HR chief shares 5 tips for acing your job interview

by Edith Cooper on Dec 4, 2016, 3:05 PM

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Recruiting done right is not about filling seats, it's about building the future of a business. Over the past several years, companies across industries have evolved their approach to evaluating candidates.

When it comes to assessment techniques, we're seeing the use of machine learning and data analytics, personality questionnaires, online case studies, video interviewing and more.

That said, the primary objective of the recruiting process remains the same – to measure the strength of a candidate and determine whether there is an intellectual chemistry between that individual and his or her future colleagues.

Interviews are an integral part of making that determination. I've had the opportunity to conduct thousands of them over the course of my career, and reflecting on what differentiated the great candidates, I'd like to share five tips to help you ace your next interview.

Edith Cooper is global head of Human Capital Management for Goldman Sachs. This piece previously appeared on LinkedIn.

SEE ALSO: Why Goldman Sachs is encouraging employees to talk about race at work – and why as a black woman I think this is so important

Tell your story.

Your resume was strong enough to get you to the interview – now it’s time to bring it to life. Avoid walking through every bullet point, but instead, turn your experiences into a compelling story that reflects who you are, what you have done and how you have made an impact. Craft a clear and concise message that demonstrates you have the skills, judgment and drive to do the job.

Interviewers are looking for a pattern of behavior, given that can serve as a strong indicator of how you will perform. So, to support your narrative, provide specific examples from your past. Share an experience that demonstrates how you’ve overcome adversity or a challenge and what you learned from the process. Before the interview, think about your strengths and weaknesses and understand how they relate to this opportunity. Of course, don’t forget the interview is not only about highlighting your individual capabilities, but also proving you’re a team-player who works well with others.



Do your research.

“Winging it” is not an effective strategy to land your next job. There’s information everywhere, go and get it (corporate websites, annual reports, press coverage, social media, people in your network who work at the company). Know the company that you’re interviewing with – what’s their business, how do they speak about their culture, what are recent initiatives they’ve undertaken. Beyond the company, also understand the industry – how it’s doing, what are the trends, challenges and opportunities and how are competitors performing.

Be ready to answer the question – “why do you want to work here” – and offer a response that’s more thought out than “it seems like a great place to work.” Show you understand the bigger picture and what’s happening in the macro environment and demonstrate your appreciation of the organization’s culture. And lastly, describe both your qualifications and your passion for doing this job at this company.



Ask questions, and listen.

An interview should not be a one-way conversation, it should be an exchange. Ask thoughtful questions that show you’re prepared and looking to learn more about the company, the team and the role. By asking questions along the way and helping drive the conversation, you’re more likely to make a connection with the interviewer and leave a positive impression. And, after you’ve asked a question, be sure to listen. It’s tempting to start thinking about what you’re going to say next, but stay focused. You stand to learn a lot by listening to your interviewer’s insights and experiences.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider


 
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