It's that time of year you put your interview skills into high gear. Here's a keynote presentation I delivered in 2018. "How to Master Your Interviews".

1. Interview Mastery
Satoshi Takano, Professor, Humber College
cc: Tom Rydquist - https://www.flickr.com/photos/21957656@N05

3. Special Guest
cc: Bycroft Boy - https://www.flickr.com/photos/105277968@N08

4. YES - It's Possible.
cc: KOREA.NET - Official page of the Republic of Korea - https://www.flickr.com/photos/42438955@N05

5. My Story...
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6. About My Career
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7. 3 Things You Must Do
To Ace The Interview
cc: MDGovpics - https://www.flickr.com/photos/64018555@N03

8. 1 - Prepare
cc: bengrey - https://www.flickr.com/photos/28196992@N07

9. 2 - Understand
Interview Formats & Questions
cc: highersights - https://www.flickr.com/photos/65339210@N02

10. 3 - The Ultimate F-U
It's Not What You Think
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11. 1 - Prepare
cc: bengrey - https://www.flickr.com/photos/28196992@N07

12. Research!
EVERYTHING
cc: jimmiehomeschoolmom - https://www.flickr.com/photos/94168846@N00

13. Research - Company
• Company Website
• Press Releases
• Other Company News
• Publications
• Presentations
• Industry Reports
• Newsfeeds
• People You Know
cc: Breather - https://unsplash.com/@breather?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

14. Research - The Interviewer
• Social Networks
• Public Databases
• Papers
• Press Releases
• Presentations
• People You Know
cc: Breather - https://unsplash.com/@breather?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

15. It's Like Dating
cc: Yoann Boyer - https://unsplash.com/@yoannboyer?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

16. Self-Reflect
• What are you looking for in a role?
• Why does this company / role interest you?
• What is your career goal?
• What other skills do you bring to the company?
• Why is your background relevant?
• Why is this role a good fit for you?
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17. 2 - Understand
Interview Formats & Questions
cc: highersights - https://www.flickr.com/photos/65339210@N02

18. Practice
• Interview Scenarios
• Receive unbiased feedback
• Emotions
• How are you branding yourself?
• What makes you different?
cc: Elijah Henderson - https://unsplash.com/@elijahhenderson?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

19. Interview Formats
Phone
cc: Pete Prodoehl - https://www.flickr.com/photos/35237092540@N01

20. Interview Formats
Skype / Remote Video
cc: MarcelaPalma - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53114928@N02

21. Interview Formats
One-on-One / in-person
cc: Masaaki Komori - https://unsplash.com/@gaspanik?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

22. Interview Formats
Tests
cc: Chris Liverani - https://unsplash.com/@chrisliverani?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

23. Interview Formats
Panel Interview
cc: adamblang - https://www.flickr.com/photos/83125742@N00

24. Interview Formats
Phone
cc: Pete Prodoehl - https://www.flickr.com/photos/35237092540@N01

25. Phone
Good News: No One Can See You
cc: Pete Prodoehl - https://www.flickr.com/photos/35237092540@N01

26. Phone Interview Tips
• Stand Up
• Have a Mirror
• Speak Slooooowly
• Write Notes / Have Notes
cc: Pete Prodoehl - https://www.flickr.com/photos/35237092540@N01

27. Interview Formats
Skype / Remote Video
cc: MarcelaPalma - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53114928@N02

28. Interview Formats
Good News: They Can See You
cc: MarcelaPalma - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53114928@N02

29. Skype Interview Tips
• Dress Professionally
• Put a Blank Wall Behind You
• Speak Slowly
• Maintain Eye Contact
cc: MarcelaPalma - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53114928@N02

30. Interview Formats
One-on-One / in-person
cc: Masaaki Komori - https://unsplash.com/@gaspanik?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

31. Interview Formats
Good News: They See How You Work
cc: Masaaki Komori - https://unsplash.com/@gaspanik?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

32. In-Person Interview Tips
• Maintain Eye Contact
• Body Posture
• Dress Professionally
• Have a Notepad - write what you
want to cover (skills, interests,
questions)
cc: Masaaki Komori - https://unsplash.com/@gaspanik?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

33. Interview Formats
Tests
cc: Chris Liverani - https://unsplash.com/@chrisliverani?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

34. Interview Formats
Good News: They Test Your Knowledge
cc: Chris Liverani - https://unsplash.com/@chrisliverani?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

35. Testing
• Quantitative Tests to assess skills and
competencies
• Tests can be done at any time (Before,
During, and After)
• Hard to Prepare - based on your
experience
• Most companies will notify you ahead of
time
cc: Chris Liverani - https://unsplash.com/@chrisliverani?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

36. Interview Formats
Panel Interview
cc: adamblang - https://www.flickr.com/photos/83125742@N00

37. Interview Formats
Good News: You Meet Everyone All At Once
cc: adamblang - https://www.flickr.com/photos/83125742@N00

38. Panel Interview Tips
• Breathe
• Make eye contact with each person
on the panel
• Special consideration for the heckler-
type
• Come prepared with questions for
the team members
cc: adamblang - https://www.flickr.com/photos/83125742@N00

39. General Interview Tips
cc: Joe Shlabotnik - https://www.flickr.com/photos/40646519@N00

40. General Interview Tips
• Listen - Don't talk over the
interviewer
• Be active - Ask challenging questions
• $$$ - NO
• If you don't know... say so, and that
you will follow-up later. The FOLLOW-
UP
cc: Joe Shlabotnik - https://www.flickr.com/photos/40646519@N00

41. Questions
Most Common - Level 1
cc: BlueHouseBurning - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53236199@N03

42. Level 1 Questions
• Why are you looking to move?
• What type of environment do
you thrive in?
• Why are you interested in our
company?
cc: BlueHouseBurning - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53236199@N03

43. Level 1 Questions
• Tell me more about your
background
• What applicable skills do you
have that's relevant for this
role?
cc: BlueHouseBurning - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53236199@N03

44. Level 1 Questions
• What are your career goals?
• What biggest benefit would you
bring to this company if you joined
us?
• What type of management style are
you looking to work in?
cc: BlueHouseBurning - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53236199@N03

45. Why are you looking?
• "I want to work in a dynamic setting
where I can apply my mechanical
engineering background to
accelerate and improve customer
service."
• NOT - More $, Politics, Get away
from my boss
cc: BlueHouseBurning - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53236199@N03

46. Why are you interested?
• "I want to work at your Company
because you are the leader in
leukemia research, a disease that
I have a personal interest in."
• NOT - More $, Politics, Get away
from my boss
cc: BlueHouseBurning - https://www.flickr.com/photos/53236199@N03

47. Tell me More about your Background
30 Second Elevator Pitch
cc: Gideon Tsang - https://www.flickr.com/photos/34323101@N00

48. “I have over 10 years of research experience
spanning oncology and neurobiology. I am skilled
in many molecular and cellular biology techniques
and recently learned programming so that I could
round out my skills. I excel when I wear many
hats and use my communication and scientific
skills to further research. Because of this, I am
looking to work in an entrepreneurial biotech
company where I can be exposed to all aspects of
drug discovery.”
cc: Gideon Tsang - https://www.flickr.com/photos/34323101@N00

49. Level 2 Questions
cc: Martin Sanchez - https://unsplash.com/@martinsanchez?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

50. Level 2 Questions
• "What are you most Proud of?"
• "Tell me about a time you had a
challenge... and how you solved it?"
• "Describe a time when you were faced
with a stressful situation that
demonstrated your coping skills.”
cc: Martin Sanchez - https://unsplash.com/@martinsanchez?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

51. Level 2 Questions
• "Explain a situation when you had to
go above and beyond the call of duty
in order to get a job done.
• "Have you ever had too many things
to do, and were you required to
prioritize your tasks?
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52. Level 2 Questions
• "What is your typical way of dealing
with conflict? Provide an example.
• "Describe a time when you were
faced with a stressful situation that
demonstrated your coping skills.
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53. Your Turn To Ask
cc: Grant Ritchie - https://unsplash.com/@grantritchie?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

54. Don't Say "No Questions"
Have them ready
cc: Grant Ritchie - https://unsplash.com/@grantritchie?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

55. Your Questions...
• "How would you describe the
company’s culture?"
• "What excites you most about the
company?"
• "What are the career progression
options for someone in this role?"
cc: Leo Reynolds - https://www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00

56. Your Questions...
• "What is an area that the company
needs to work on?"
• "What are the top three things that I
could do upon joining the company to
assist you and help achieve company
goals? "
• "Describe your management style."
cc: Leo Reynolds - https://www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00

57. 3 - The Ultimate F-U
It's Not What You Think
cc: NeONBRAND - https://unsplash.com/@neonbrand?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

58. Follow-UP!
cc: musiciennedusilence - https://www.flickr.com/photos/9675912@N08

59. Follow-UP!
• Thank you letter - within 48 hours
• Mention something that you talked
about during your interview, so that it is
customized.
• Don't send the same one to everyone
cc: musiciennedusilence - https://www.flickr.com/photos/9675912@N08

60. Follow-UP!
• Show your interest again in the
role and state your desire to
be a part of the team.
cc: musiciennedusilence - https://www.flickr.com/photos/9675912@N08

61. LinkedIn?
cc: nan palmero - https://www.flickr.com/photos/97402086@N00

62. Summary
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63. The Company Should Know
• You are serious in planning your
career
• You are always prepared
• You are interested in the
company/role, and you
articulated why
cc: David Travis - https://unsplash.com/@dtravisphd?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

64. The Company Should Know
• You want to make sure the
company/role is a good fit for you.
• You will be an excellent hire from a
culture/personality fit; not just a skill
set fit
• You will be able to make an impact
right away
cc: David Travis - https://unsplash.com/@dtravisphd?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

65. The Company Should Know
You Are Excited to Join The Team!
cc: David Travis - https://unsplash.com/@dtravisphd?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

66. Interview Mastery
Satoshi Takano, Professor, Humber College
cc: Tom Rydquist - https://www.flickr.com/photos/21957656@N05