The time is ripe for you to develop a great answer to the interview question, "Tell me about a time you had to overcome a challenge."

(Updated links from August 7, 2017 Blog Post)
 
Consulting companies who utilize case interviews will often offer tips for preparing for this interview style. Since this interview focuses on problem solving, the key aspects are:

• Listening and understanding the case details
• Asking about missing details or for clarification
• Showing your thought process by thinking through the case out loud.

The case interview is typically used to show how you would interact with clients and organize projects. Treat the case interview as if it is a client problem or project proposal.

Some companies, like McKinsey & Company offer sample cases. If your targeted employer doesn't offer sample cases, check for actual client or project stories under the "About" or "Services" tabs.

For additional tips on preparing, review these company pages:

• Bain & Company - https://www.bain.com/careers/interview-prep/case-interview/
• McKinsey & Company (Includes sample cases) - http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/interviewing 
• Deloitte (Includes practice case) - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-case-interview-prep-tool.html

Other companies, like Bain & Company, also incorporate a case study as a written essay.

Review your prospective employer's career pages for information on their interview process. Also check sites like Glassdoor.com for other descriptions of the interviewing process with comments of other candidates.

#career #interviewing #mondaythoughts

​You’ve prepped. You’ve analyzed the job description and researched the company. You understand what competencies and experience they want you to have. You’ve prepped your stories to share as evidence of those competencies and experiences. But, you may still be missing something. A key ingredient. The real you.

An often overlooked, yet high impact, part of any interview is the chance to ask questions. Prepare a list of possible questions and prioritize the top 2-3 that you want to ask. At the end of a regular interview, you may have 10 minutes at the end of the interview. In a job fair, time may be even more limited. Use your time wisely.

Consider what you still need to know to assess whether the job is a good opportunity for you.

• Would you give me more details about [Insert the area you need to know more about to understand the scope of the position]?
• Would you give me an example of a [project, problem, challenge] that is typical for this position?
• How would you describe your ideal candidate?

Understand the process

• What is your timeline for making decisions? 
• What is the next step?
• What are the typical steps in your process

Adapted from November 3, 2017, “Ask Good Questions”

An often overlooked, yet high impact, part of the interview is the chance to ask questions.

Ask good questions. Prepare a list of possible questions and priorities the top 2-3 questions that you want to ask. 

Since, you may only get 5 minutes at the end of the interview. Use them wisely.

Consider what you still need to know in order to assess whether the job is a good opportunity for you.

• Would you give me more details about [Insert the area you need to know more about to understand the scope of the position]?
• Would you give me an example of a [project, problem, challenge] that is typical for this position?
• How would you describe the ideal candidate?
• What are the goals for this position and your expectations for the first 30/60/90 days?
• What happened to the person who was previously in this position? Is this a new position?
• What is the biggest problem/challenge that you want this person to solve for you?
• At the end of the year, how would you know this person was successful?
• What are the resources for this position? (Will you have the resources, money, supplies, people, and information to do your job?)

Decide what factors about the culture and which values are important to you and ask for details. Confirm the fit with your work values and priorities

• Using one word, how would you describe the company culture / the team?
• The "About Us" description on the website says that the company values [its employees, innovation, its customers], would you give me an example?
• Why did you join the company? Why do you stay?
• How was a recent decision made and implemented? (Listen to understand process and involvement of team members)
• Ask your supervisor
  
  • Would you describe your management style?
    
  • How would this position interact with other staff members and other departments?
• Ask the team
  
  • How would you describe the supervisor's management style?
    
  • Would you give me an example of how the team worked together on a recent project?

Understand the process

• What is your timeline for making decisions? 
• What is the next step?
• Do you have any concerns about my candidacy?

Show what you know and verify what you've learned

• I read that [ABC company is merging with DEF]. How will that impact this team?
• I heard that a competitor is launching a new product? How will that change your strategy?

Consulting companies who employ case interviews offer tips for preparing for this interview style. Since this interview focuses on problem solving, the key aspects are:

• Listening and understanding the case details
• Asking about missing details or for clarification
• Showing your thought process by thinking through the case out loud.

The case interview is typically used to show how you would interact with clients and organize projects. Treat the case interview as if it is a client problem or project proposal.

Some companies, like McKinsey & Company, offer sample cases. If your targeted employer doesn't offer sample cases, check for actual client or project stories under the "About" or "Services" tabs.

For additional tips on preparing, review these company pages:

• Bain & Company - http://www.bain.com/careers/interview-preparation/case-interview.aspx
• McKinsey & Company (Includes sample cases) - http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/interviewing 
• Deloitte (Includes practice case) - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-case-interview-prep-tool.html

Other companies, like Bain, also incorporate a case study as a written essay.

Review your prospective employer's career pages for information on their interview process. Also check sites like Glassdoor.com for other descriptions of the interviewing process with comments of other candidates.

#career #interviewing

​When interviewing, employers are assessing three things: skills, motivation, and cultural fit.

Motivation comes to the forefront as we experience obstacles in pursuit of our goals. How did you handle the obstacles? What skills did you use to overcome the obstacle? 

If you struggle to answer these questions, spend some time with them. You will need to build your own understanding of when you've felt in flow, before you can describe these situations, behaviors, and factors to others.

Sample Questions About Motivation
Visit the linked articles for additional information and sample questions.

If you don't know your skills and can't talk about them with others, how is your boss or a prospective employer supposed to see and understand your skills?

The advice and exercises in the Self Assessment page will help you identify your strengths, identify those skills you enjoy using, and describe examples of your work. These steps will ensure that you can offer proof of a competency. 

If you are contemplating a larger transition, these steps can break what you accomplished out of the box within which you worked and reframe them for the new field.

What are your first thoughts about what you do best? Make a list that is a working document, a list you can continue to add to. You can use the Transferable Skills List PDF, linked from the page, as a prompt for skills you may have forgotten from your earlier list.

List your accomplishments (from your work history to volunteer activities; for new graduates, write down your leadership positions in college organizations). The Transferable Skills in Context PDF, linked from the page, can help you remember your accomplishments and write your stories

List examples of work and note the value of each example to current and past organizations, within and beyond the scope of your position. Think of as many examples as possible that you would like prospective employers to know about. 

These skills and stories are then used in your verbal and written communication to exercise your strengths, competencies, and their potential benefits to an employer.

#CareerAdvice #Skills

​Throughout the job search process, demonstrate the strengths that you've told the employer you possess

Attention to detail is demonstrated by using a clean resume and cover letter format that have been checked for spelling, grammar and style.

Accuntability and punctuality are demonstrated by meeting an employer's deadlines and by responding to emails and phone calls in a timely manner.

Professionalism is shown by the content and manner of your online and offline communications.

Communications and marketing is conveyed by how well you target your message in the resume, cover letter, or interview. Are you able to quickly, clearly, and concisely deliver the most relevent message? This is an example of how well you will summarize a project's progress or recommendations.

Preparedness is conveyed when you show that you did your homework before the interview. Doing research on the company, understanding the position, and preparing your stories will show an employer how you would prepare for internal or client-facing meetings.