Amazing Interview Prep Questions

We’ve all been there - looking for a new job opportunity. The median employee tenure in the US is about 4 years. Over the course of 40 working years, that equates to 10 job changes. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or start fresh somewhere new, it’s a process that’s almost as intimidating as public speaking. But it doesn’t have to be. 

One approach is to apply to hundreds of jobs on career sites. Ambitious, yes, but often unsuccessful. After that’s out of our system, the next thing we do is take a step back and start asking ourselves questions; What do I want from my next job? What am I looking for in a company? What type of role am I looking for? Unfortunately, these are all the wrong questions.

I’ve taken this journey a handful of times already. One of the most important techniques for me has been my personal whiteboard sessions. Using all kinds of colors, I diagram lists of jobs & positions I’ve held in the past alongside who I’ve worked with. I take a step back and talk (yes, talk) about what I learned, what I felt, and what I wish I would have done differently. Eventually, on a piece of paper, I write down a bunch of bullet points I can use for conversations, and eventually for interviews.

Here are two questions you might want to start with: what behaviors set me apart and who do I want to work with? 

1. What behaviors set me apart? Behaviors are the inputs to success/failure. Domain knowledge and expertise are important, but behaviors are what makes you able to operationalize those assets. Be very mindful of those qualities you possess: continuous learner, action initiator, extreme ownership, etc.
2. ‍Who do I want to work with? Almost nobody is perfect. Consider the kind of person that would support you (you’ll like this) and challenge you (you’ll admire this) for years to come. In one of those famous annual reports, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway wrote “we intend to continue our practice of working only with people whom we like and admire.”

Questions like these will bring more clarity to your job search and help you get better answers. And the answers to these questions can be used to craft the written communication - lists, bullet points, emails, cover letters, etc. Here’s a twist; even if you’re not looking for a job, you should follow these same steps to create a new environment for yourself.

And this is where Storied thrives - at the intersection of questions and writing. We’re here to help you extract your best information and turn it into clear written communication.