Launch Youniversity

Turning Good Intentions into Reality in Your Career, Business and Life

interview

How to Prepare for an Interview

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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!

 

 

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

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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.

 

087: How to Have a Great Job Interview

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
087: How to Have a Great Job Interview
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Summary:

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.

Today, we hear from three of Launch Youniversity’s mentors, David Farmer, Shane Benson, and Kevin Jennings, who discuss their ideas and experiences on how to have a great interview and give an inside look on what interviewers are searching for from their prospective new employees.

Welcome to episode 87 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Elevator Pitch

Considering a Career Change? Ask These 15 Questions

How To Move On: The Difference Between Quitting and Leaving Your Job

3 Ways to Get a Promotion This Year

I Am Not Your Guru Netflix documentary

Personal Brand Assessment

Three Takeaways:

  • Do your homework. 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.
  • Don’t forget the basics. Try not to overestimate your ability to woo your interviewer — you are likely one of many applying for this position. So make sure your interview is a good one. Remember, 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 might help you ace your interview from a confidence standpoint. 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.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

083: How Do I Build My Brand?

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
083: How Do I Build My Brand?
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Summary:

Any entrepreneur who has listened to a leadership podcast or read a business book knows they need to develop their brand and their story. But how do you actually do that? We called in the experts. Andy and Brittany Thoms of See.Spark.Go have built their business around helping others identify and refine their brand and share their stories.
Welcome to Episode 83 of The Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

SeeSparkGo.com

Start with Why by Simon Sinek

The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR by Al Ries

Ask us a question! 

Three Takeaways:

1. Two questions can bring everything into view.
As entrepreneurs, we can feel pressured to have our business be everything to everybody, everywhere. When you feel like you are serving all people, it’s hard to nail down your story and purpose.
If you’re feeling that way, Brittany says to just focus on two questions. Yep, just two.
What specific need am I filling? 
How am I positively impacting my customer’s life? 
If you can definitively answer those questions, you know your story.
2. What’s my brand? 
We like to think of our brand as something we can choose. For instance, “my logo is colorful, so my brand is fun.” But it’s much more than that. In fact, your brand is more about what others say about you, than who you say you are.
How would people describe their interactions with your business?
How would people describe their interactions with you personally?
How do you, and your business, make others feel? 
3. Everything is public relations. 
Every phone call that your team makes. Every email. Your social media posts. How customers pay. And even how you dress, say hello, and shake people’s hands.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!  

055: Atlanta United’s Matt Moore on Launching a Sports Team and Building a Community

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
055: Atlanta United's Matt Moore on Launching a Sports Team and Building a Community
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SUMMARY:

If you live in Greater Atlanta, then you’ve heard of the city’s newest sports team: Atlanta United FC. In 2017, it’s inaugural year, excitement for the new soccer team completely took over the city of Atlanta. Today on the podcast, Jeff and Shane sit down with Matt Moore, the person behind the successful launch. He’s sharing his experiences over the last two years of building community buzz, testing content on social media and truly getting to know and connect with your customers.

Welcome to Episode 55 of The Launch Youniversity Podcast.

HELPFUL LINKS + RESOURCES:

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United on Facebook

Atlanta United on Twitter

Atlanta United on Instagram

Atlanta United on The Launch Youniversity Podcast

THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Bring your customers on the journey with you.

Atlanta United didn’t launch until 2017, but the efforts to build community excitement and sell season tickets began in 2015. Without a launched product, Matt used social media to take people along the journey as they staffed their team, created merchandise and signed players. By the time Atlanta United was ready for their opening season, the city was ready to support them.

2. Prototype as you get to know your audience. 

One of the best parts about social media is that you can listen to what your audience likes… and doesn’t like. Matt told the story about how, on President’s Day, they photoshopped Atlanta United scarves onto old Presidents. They quickly discovered that their audience didn’t like that. Not every idea is going to be the best one, learn and adjust each time.

3. Don’t be afraid to look at what other people are doing. 

When launching, there’s a lot of pressure to do something nobody else has done. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t pull inspiration from companies you admire. If you feel in over your head with a launch, find a brand you respect (in or out of your industry) and study their past launches. What did they do well? What didn’t they do well? What would you have done?

051: Telling a Greater Story with Sam Collier

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Sam Collier on The Launch Youniversity Podcast How to Tell a Greater Story.png
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
051: Telling a Greater Story with Sam Collier
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SUMMARY:

Sam is an expert launcher, communicator, and radio host. Today, he’s sitting down with Jeff to have a conversation about taking leaps of faith, following your calling and telling a greater story.

Welcome to episode 51 of The Launch Youniversity Podcast.

HELPFUL LINKS + RESOURCES:

A Greater Story with Sam Collier

Sam on Twitter

North Point Ministries

THREE TAKEAWAYS:

1. Get out of the boat.

Launching is hard. There’s a lot of risk and room for failure on the table. But sometimes, you just need to get out of the boat. Take the leap of faith, and step out. If you sink, you can start again. But sitting in the boat and living in fear gets you nowhere.

2. Who you need is probably already in your phone.

Something every single person is guilty of: Looking at someone else, doing something you wish you were doing, and telling yourself “well I would be successful too if [I knew that person they know, my spouse was able to financially support me, I had my foot in the door] like they have.”

This, frankly, is a lie your telling yourself to justify why you aren’t where you want to be.

What if we told you that you probably already have the connection you need in your phone? Really. Go through your phone, or LinkedIn connections, or Facebook friends and think about each person you see. Sam was trying to work with the public school system and thought “I don’t know anyone there to connect me with the right people.” Only to later realize, his Aunt worked in the public school system. Go through your phone, we bet that you’re not seeing something that’s right in front of you.

3. No success is overnight.

To find success, we have to wake up and launch everyday. Try and try and try again. Not everything is going to be a success, but overtime, you’ll start to find the solutions you’ve been looking for. As Sam said, nobody wakes up one day and just discovers the cure for an illness. They try, everyday, to push further and futher. To take risks, to take leaps of faith, and keep going. Then, eventually, they find the solution.