RC&A’s Post

Forget the third degree… imagine interviews as first dates with your company's future. Ditch the power play and swap interrogation tactics for a genuine vibe check. Why? Because instead of cornering nervous interviewees, you might just stumble upon the person who'll revolutionize your team, the next big brain on the block. So, next time you're interviewing someone, remember it's not about wielding power, it's about opening doors. Turn the interview into a conversation, a chance to discover brilliance, and who knows, you might just witness the start of something truly fantastic.

If you’re going to ask leading questions in interviews, just throw away the entire project right now 🗑️ Because the findings you’ll get from it will be trash—useless at best, misleading at worst. And to be fair, it’s not easy! Teasing out more information without leading your interview subject is a very narrow tightrope to walk. Here’s a few techniques I learned in my years as a police detective, dealing with some of the most difficult people you can imagine: 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Get more information without making the interviewee defensive. "Can you help me understand why you prefer this product over others?" 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Establish a clear timeline of events. "Can you walk me through the steps you took when using our product?" 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Get deeper into specific aspects of the interviewee's initial responses. "What specific features do you find most useful?” What are your favorite types of interview questions? ===== 👋 I'm Ari... a criminal investigator turned customer investigator 🤝 I help Product and Marketing teams 10x the value of their research ✉️ DM me to see how we can work together

If you're nervous about not knowing how to answer an interview question - there's a secret. Know yourself and your career inside and out. That's all. The more you know about what you've done and your impact, the easier it will be to answer any question they throw at you. The formula is easy. Start with the punchline (accomplishment), then circle back to the challenge, your actions, and finish again with the punchline. Be confident and, above all, be YOU.

What do you do before an interview to calm yourself? Feeling nervous right before an interview? The butterflies in your stomach are real, but remember, they're just excitement in disguise. Two minutes before your next interview starts, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Acknowledge the hard work you've put in to get here. Interviews are a two-way street—while they're evaluating you, you're also evaluating them. If you don't know the answer to a question, it's okay to say so. And if something doesn't feel right, have the courage to walk away. Take a moment to sit up straight, roll your shoulders back, and remind yourself, "I've got this." Your voice matters, your perspective is an asset, and you're never alone on this journey. Let's create workspaces where everyone feels empowered and heard. Share this with your network if you think someone needs to hear it today.  #InterviewTips #Confidence #WorkplaceWellness #YouGotThis

You've got the interview...now what? PART 3 - THE QUESTION PROCESS ❌ Don’t ask “What does your company do / what is your business about?” This question shows that you’re not prepared enough for the interview. It’s fair to have specific questions about some products, how something works, or other details about the company but it's necessary to formulate the question in a way that shows you’ve done your research and that you understand what the company is about. ✔️ Instead, ask: ·        I looked at your most recent campaign and I’m curious to know how different departments collaborate to launch a new product, can you tell me more about it? ·        What do you think customers love about your business/company? ·        I read about all your products/services but, is there one product/service that stands out for you? We'll share another tomorrow.

Want to be a better interviewer? Use this tip I learned from Theo Smith: Add "and here's what I'm looking for" to the end of each question! Y'ALL!! This little add on sentence makes interviewing so much less stressful. My mind is an actual amusement park of distractions, anxiety, and out-of-control spirals. It's a fun place to hang, but not a great venue for interviews 😂 When I'm told what the interviewer wants to hear about, it cuts through all my brain noise and helps me be a better candidate. Try it out and let me (and Theo!!) know how it goes!

DEAR INTERVIEWEE "TELL ME ABOUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES" When faced with the popular interview question 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?', it's essential to strike the right balance between honesty and strategy. To ace your response, follow these guidelines: 1. With strength, highlight your relevant skills, achievements and experiences that align with the job requirements. 2. Be very specific and concise. Let your answer be brief with about two or three key strengths, again aligned with the job description. 3. You can also use concrete examples to demonstrate your strengths in action using the STAR model (explained in an earlier post). 4. With weaknesses, demonstrate self-awareness by acknowledging areas you are actively working to improve. 5. You can frame this positively by emphasizing what exactly you have been doing to overcome those particular weaknesses. Now tell me about your strengths and weaknesses in the comment section.

Ever been sabotaged by that gremlin of anxiety before or during an interview? I know I did many a time whilst in my employed career pathway. But guess what? You can flick it away! Here’s how: 1. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆: Know the company, review common questions, and practice your answers. The more prepared you are, the quieter the gremlin gets. 2. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Picture yourself walking in (or logging on) with confidence. Imagine the interview going smoothly. This positive imagery can help flick that gremlin away. 3. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀: Take deep breaths to calm your nerves. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4. Repeat until you feel centred. 4. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Remind yourself of your strengths and achievements. You’ve got this! 5. 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁: A smile can make a huge difference. It shows confidence and helps build a connection with your interviewer. Remember, that gremlin doesn’t stand a chance against your preparation and positivity. Go in there, flick it away, and show them what you’re made of! #InterviewTips #OvercomeAnxiety #FlickTheGremlin #JobHuntSuccess #YouGotThis