The image above has been my ‘professional’ headshot for quite some time. The picture wasn’t taken by a professional by any means. With the advancements in personal camera technology, the days of getting professional headshots done are almost long gone (for most industries).
I want to first talk about the best interview I ever had the honor of participating in. An interview with Performance Contracting, Inc. for my most recent internship I think really characterizes what makes a ‘good’ interview. They prioritize the trustworthiness of their employees just as much as their skills. In fact, I got an offer for the internship halfway through the interview. Why is this process so good? Well, it’s been used by America’s most effective teams for a while.
The Navy Seals use something akin to the above matrix when deciding on teammates. Just like I mentioned about the PCI interview, they prioritize trustworthiness just as much as skill. To get a better understanding of this concept, see this clip from Simon Sinek’s TED Talk.
Now then, what makes a poor interview for me? When recruiters seem to only care about the credentials of a candidate, the interview can seem asinine and show that the company may not care about the person as an individual. The best question I’ve gotten in an interview was “Outside of your experience and academics, what do you like to do?” When I first got asked this question, I was almost… bewildered? I came prepared with my best examples of leadership, learning, and problem solving. However, the question immediately changed the whole vibe of the interview and made me much more comfortable. It also demonstrated to me that the company would care about me as a person.
Overall, interviews can be extremely stressful and often are the deciding factor for someone’s future. But, regardless of whatever company you decide to work with, remember you have to trust them too.