Sensing the inner struggles of job candidates all over the world, Goldman Sachs has reformatted its interview tips into a nifty little video. It's worth watching, but we've pulled out the most important nuggets of wisdom for you to peruse.
Before the Interview
Make a list of your qualifications. Detail your strengths weaknesses and jot down your experiences and skills. Goldman recommends creating a story from these responses that will resonate with your interviewer.
General Prep
Know your resume. Determine your key selling points. Practice talking about them. Prepare examples. Draw upon on your experiences to demonstrate leadership.
A big mistake to avoid is not having a clear idea of the position. Before you go in, make sure you know the job's requirements, details about the company and any relevant industry news.
First Impression
Plan your route ahead of time and arrive early. Know the dress code. Remember your interviewers' names.
Interview Formats
Goldman is a fan of behavioral interviews. Behavioral interviews are competency-based. In them, you'll be asked to describe situations where you've demonstrated leadership or acted as a team. Make sure you pick examples ahead of time so you'll be ready to toss one out.
You may also encounter the historical interview, which is open-ended and uses your resume as a road map. You'll be expected to use your resume to discuss yourself -- it's a way for the interviewer to get you to tell your story.
There will be a case study or technical aspect to the interview as well. Questions like "How many ping pong balls can you fit in a 747?" are designed to see how you think creatively. Getting the right answer isn't the main goal -- it's how you get to the answer you arrive at.
Keep It Simple
Be as concise as possible. Don't take the opportunity to wax eloquent about the failing of youth in America. Make sure you're only imparting relevant information.
At the End
Ask two or three questions about the company or about the interviewer's view of broad industry trends. Don't ask about salary and benefits. You'll have plenty of time for that once you get an offer.
And, of course, e-mail a thank you note. It's a classy touch.
Write to Julie Steinberg
Related: Doing Research Before Your Interview | What to Wear | Five Kinds of Questions You Might Not Be Prepared For | Nailing Your Interview | Nailing Your Interview After a Lapse in Employment