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How to Prepare for an Interview

June 4, 2019 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

How to Prepare for an Interview

Summer is a big season of transition, and people often find themselves looking for new work opportunities during this time. Should you land an interview — whether in your current organization or in a new one — what you say and do both verbally and nonverbally during the interview process could change the trajectory of your career.

Here are a few ideas on how to have a great interview and what interviewers are looking for in their prospective employees.

Preparation Tips

Research. And then research some more.

Before going into an interview, you should do as much research as you can on the organization and the interviewer. What’s the organization’s culture like? How is it doing financially? What common interests do you have with the interviewer? Answering these questions will help you be more prepared during the interview and boost your confidence.

Become a customer.

Consume the product or service they are providing. Know the heartbeat of the organization along with facts.

Don’t forget the basics.

First impressions still mean a lot; so, make sure you’re dressed for the part, make eye contact, and limit distractions (turn your phone on airplane mode). They’re looking to see how you conduct yourself both professionally and personally to gauge whether you’ll be a good fit in the organization.

Do a mock interview.

It might feel odd, but doing a mock interview before the real deal may help you boost your confidence. Find a friend who will ask you questions you might encounter in the interview. This way, you’ll be able to give concise, confident answers on the spot during the interview.

Bonus Tips

Launch Youniversity mentors and interviewers, David Farmer and Shane Benson, shared a few of their top tips for interviewees. Here are two of their recommendations.

Remember it’s not only about hard skills.

Hard skills are teachable or learned abilities that are usually easy to quantify. For example, if you are a graphic designer, the skills you have to use for particular design programs are hard skills.

Soft skills are the basics, as mentioned above. Do you begin the interview with a smile and a firm handshake? Are you staying connected and engaged in the interview? Will you fit well with the team? Are you kind? Sometimes, you can have the best qualifications, but if you don’t fit the culture of the team or organization, it may not be the best fit.

Don’t think the interview is over the minute you walk out of the building.

Handwritten notes thanking the interviewers for their time and consideration make a lasting impression. Try to send the thank you letter no later than two days after your interview.

Additionally, if the interviewer offered resources or tips to consider, let them know how you’ve acted on them and how it’s impacted you. For example, if they recommend a book, get a copy and begin reading it. Share something that stood out, and let them know you look forward to finishing the book.

Making an intentional effort to prepare for your interview could land you your dream job and change everything. Now, go! Get prepared!

 

 

Filed Under: Intrapreneurship, Learning Tagged With: interview, preparation, prepare for an interview

5 Ways to Stay Productive in the Summer

May 31, 2019 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

5 Ways to Stay Productive in the Summer

There’s just something about summer that makes most people take their foot off the gas at work. Maybe it’s the half-empty offices, multiple 3-day weekends, or the summer vacation you’ve been planning for months. Whatever it is, the sunny weather and days at the beach are well-deserved and good for the soul…enjoy your time off! But having the few extra days off doesn’t mean you need to give in to a full three months of low productivity. Here are five ways to beat the summer slump.

1. Make a list.

It’s old-fashioned and oft-used, but for good reason. Make a list of all the things you hope to accomplish over the summer months, and keep it posted in a place where you can see it every day. Seeing our goals daily is the fuel we need to keep pushing forward (even when you feel like cutting out at work at 2 PM to get grilling).

2. Communicate and collaborate your time off.

Go through your calendar and identify the weeks that are just—despite your best efforts—going to be less productive. This would include: the week leading up to Memorial Day, the week of the 4th of July, the week leading up to Labor Day, and whatever week, weeks, or Friday afternoons you might be taking off for a personal vacation. Ask anyone on your team to also do the same, then find your open weeks where you can reach maximum productivity together. Plan your projects, timelines, and goals around those weeks and schedules.

3. Incentivize your goals.

Momentum can be hard to come by in the summer without any reward at the end. But finding momentum in the middle of July is a lot easier when you know there’s a “summer Friday” waiting for you as a project completion reward.

4. When you’re on vacation, be on vacation.

Rest makes you better at your job. You need rest, and you deserve the mental break that family vacations and 3-day weekends offer. This means not taking your cell phone with you to the pool or beach or baseball game. It’s okay (and good!) to be off the clock.

5. Shake up your environment.

Is there anything more draining than being in a cold office or co-working space for eight hours on a beautiful summer day? It’s nice out! Go for a walk outside while you brainstorm. Set up your afternoon workspace on a Starbucks patio. You can work and enjoy the dog days of summer.

We’re wishing you a happy, restful, and productive summer!

Filed Under: Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship Tagged With: break, summer, time off, vacation

Top 10 Questions You Should Be Prepared to Answer Before Your Next Interview

May 28, 2019 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

Top 10 Questions You Should Be Prepared to Answer Before Your Next Interview

To help combat interview jitters, preparation is key. Take time to prepare answers for these 10 questions before you walk into your next interview. Be sure each answer directly fits with the specific company and role.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Keep your answer short and to the point. You can offer a few personal details such as, “I am married with two kids;” but be sure to connect your answer to the company and position.

2. What do you know about the company?

This is your chance to shine and show your excitement about the company’s mission. Answer this question confidently by researching the company, the interviewer, and the position. Do a simple Google search. Look up your interviewer on social media.

3. What are your strengths?

This question can set you up for success or failure in your interview. It’s all about how you answer the question. Humbly present the strengths you bring to the table.

4. What are your weaknesses?

Don’t be afraid to share the area of your professional life in which you can improve. Keep it short (without sharing too many details) and avoid self-deprecation. End your answer on a positive note. For example, share your weakness, then share what you are doing to improve or overcome that challenge.

5. How will your previous experience contribute to the company, your teammates, and the mission?

Try to answer with specifics. Have a copy of your résumé, and highlight some of the main tasks from previous roles. Share stories or examples when necessary.

6. Describe a time when you exercised leadership.

The ideal answer would include a story and an example from your most recent employer.

7. Why should we hire you? Why do you want this job?

This is another important moment to focus on what you bring to the table. Make a great impression by viewing yourself as a contributor to the team, not a one-man band.

8. Tell me about a time you had conflict with someone or a decision that was made. How did you handle it?

Keep your answer short, and don’t overshare. Always end on a positive note.

9. Do you have any questions for us?

Be sure to come prepared with questions! This is your opportunity to learn as much as you can. Not only does it prepare you to make an informed decision should you get offered the job, but it shows the interviewer you are serious about this role.

10. Are you excited about this position?

This question (probably) won’t be asked in an interview, but you should answer it for yourself. Be honest and determine how interested you are for this opportunity. If you aren’t that passionate, you may want to reconsider.

 

Filed Under: Learning Tagged With: career advancement, interview, interview questions

5 Things New Leaders Do Well

May 24, 2019 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

5 Things New Leaders Do Well

You lead a team now, congratulations! Whether it was an internal promotion or job change, managing people is an exciting and challenging next level in your career.

You may find yourself suddenly managing people you’ve worked with for years, or you may be inheriting a completely unknown team. Either way, here are five things new leaders do well. [Read more…] about 5 Things New Leaders Do Well

Filed Under: Being a Leader Tagged With: leader, leadership, new leader, successful leadership

How to Include Your Child(ren) in Your StartUp (and Build the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs)

May 21, 2019 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

How to Include Your Child(ren) in Your StartUp (and Build the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs)

The idea of starting a business when you have young children can be overwhelming (OK, the idea of starting a business at any time can be overwhelming). Will you have enough time to devote to your family and to growing your business? Will the company benefit your family or become a burden? [Read more…] about How to Include Your Child(ren) in Your StartUp (and Build the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs)

Filed Under: Entrepreneurship Tagged With: child, children, children involved in starting business, include your children in your startup, kid, kids

The Importance of Public Relations

May 17, 2019 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

The Importance of Public Relations

You have a business and you’re likely wondering if you need to hire a public relations team to help you manage your social media accounts and public persona. The quick answer is probably not right now. And here’s why:

The very basic definition of public relations is to positively promote products, services, or an organization, and persuade the audience to buy into your brand. [Read more…] about The Importance of Public Relations

Filed Under: Entrepreneurship, Marketing Your Idea Tagged With: brand, branding, personal brand, promotion, public relations

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