Typical Interview Structure

The is a guide for the start and end of an interview. Credit to Steve Swan for this structure

Beginning of the Interview (Hiring Manager)

• Hiring Manager: "I read the description and I have thoughts about each of the points, but first I'd like to understand what the priorities are in the next 6-12 months from your perspective -- how involved were you in writing the description?"
  • Response Expected: They will usually respond with hard skills.
  • My Response: I answer with an example of how I've used these hard skills.

My Questions

1. How do you see me fitting in on your team?
2. What does an average workday look like? ...[links to my questions]... Ideally you would select a subset of these,

End of the Interview

• 1st Round: "What's the process after this? Anything in your mind, any reason why you don't think I'd be a great fit?"
• Interviewer Response: "You didn't talk about X, Y, Z."
  • My Response if I Have Skill X, Y, Z: Give an example.
  • My Response if I Don't Have Skill X, Y, Z: "I don't have that skill, but I'm an ultra-learner. I dive in head first and that's all I think about 24/7 until I've reached a professional level proficiency. At that point I can choose to continue on to mastery, or refocus on other more pressing subjects/projects. I have several learning strategies and I leverage the most modern tools to assist with both learning and realtime assitance (chatGPT)"

Advantages of the Structured Interview Approach

1. Ensures Comprehensive Coverage

   • Guarantees that all important topics are discussed, covering the full spectrum of the interview process.

2. Sets Clear Expectations

   • Sets a clear tone for what the hiring manager expects, aligning responses with their requirements.

3. Highlights Relevant Skills

   • Demonstrates direct relevance to the role by responding with specific examples of hard skills.

4. Facilitates Engaged Dialogue

   • Turns the interview into a two-way conversation, showing interest in the role and the company.

5. Prepares for Common Objections

   • Shows foresight and readiness to address gaps by anticipating and preparing for potential concerns.

6. Demonstrates Learning Agility

   • Showcases growth mindset and adaptability by committing to learn and adapt in areas lacking skill.

7. Clarifies the Hiring Process

   • Demonstrates eagerness and helps understand the post-interview process and timeline.

8. Builds Rapport with the Interviewer

   • Facilitates a more organized and thoughtful conversation, aiding in building positive rapport.

9. Personalized Approach

   • Makes the interaction more personal and insightful by tailoring the conversation to fit into the team and daily work life.

10. Reflects Professionalism

    • Reflects professionalism and organizational skills, traits that are valued in any role.

This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the interview for the candidate but also leaves a positive impression on the interviewer, demonstrating thorough preparation and serious intent.