I Scored an Interview... That Will Only Last 10 Minutes! Advice?

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  the-mal on 25/01/2015 - 15:48

  +3

  I need to try to get into the mentality of the interviewer (who is the firms director) to see what they really want in these precious few moments.

  You're right, 10 minutes is fast. Firstly remember that it's not a time for you to recite your resume…they have it already, it got you this far. It's really going to be a rapport thing that will get you across the line. Try to feel comfortable talking, make sure you have a comfortable body language and make sure you're not waffling, just answer the questions succinctly and concisely.

  They'll let you know what they want out of the interview, they'll guide it with questions. They could be in industry questions to test your knowledge, they could be "typical HR" questions (What are your strengths/weaknesses? How do you like to be managed? etc) or they could be "get inside your thinking" questions (such as "you're given this particular situation, how would you deal with it?").

  Rapport counts for more than how awesome your answers are. They'll likely be trying to:
  1) Confirm your resume isn't BS (test your knowledge) and
  2) Understand what makes you tick, whether you're a good cultural fit

  You're (hopefully) already prepared for 1. And 2 you can't really prepare for other than going into the interview with the right mindset and not letting yourself get too nervous. Be friendly and self assured without being overconfident/cocky. Oh, and (obviously) learn about the firm and the interviewers/director…do research so you can namedrop things that show your knowledge. Check their website and LinkedIns.

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  Bl89 on 25/01/2015 - 18:50

  Thanks for the great advice :) I feel it's going to be a typical HR interview as I'm a graduate only (not much private prac experience obviously) but you're right about building a good rapport and showing that I fit well with the firm in terms of culture, values, attitude etc.

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  GnarlyKnuckles on 25/01/2015 - 22:19

  +2

  I've sat 'on the panel' for a few job interviews over the years, and heard detailed accounts of a few others from friends (various industries), and a few somewhat tricky questions that almost always seem to get asked these days are:

  1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (sometimes this is "where would you like to be in 5 years, career-wise" or some permutation like that)

  2. What is your biggest weak-point?
     Obviously for this question you don't want to say that you can't think of one (they will conclude from this that you are either deluded or dishonest or both), but you also don't want to say something that will have them reaching for the trap-door lever; like 'my dedication to a new job tends to diminish after a few months', or 'I tend to respond badly to authority'. You may wish to consider giving some sort of answer that can be construed as a negative, but could actually also be seen as a positive. Like 'I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, which can annoy some people', or 'I tend to be an obsessively neat dresser, which means I have to dedicate a few extra minutes every morning to making sure my appearance is ship-shape. I'm aware that some consider this a bit of a bit of a waste of time' [followed by a smile/slightly-apologetic (not cocky) little chuckle].

  3. In terms of problem-solving, what is one thing you did in your last job, that was a real benefit to the company?
     Whatever you do don't make one up here; in case they have some way of checking whether it's true. I creative interpretation of the facts is absolutely fine; absolute fiction is not.

  These questions may not actually be asked given that it's a 10 minute interview… but they may be, and I bet if you get to the 2nd-round/ a longer interview they will be; so you have nothing much to lose (except a bit of prep-time) by preparing good answers for them, in case they are asked.

  I'd be interested to know if any are asked in the first or second interview…

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  [Deactivated] on 27/01/2015 - 23:22

  +1

  As "the-mal" suggested, the short 10 minute interview might be mainly about rapport. They want to work out in those short 10 minutes whether you will be able to work well with their other staff and be a useful long term asset for their company. I am guessing the interview will focus on "people skills".

  I'm not an expert in this field, I'm just going with my gut impression.

  Sorry for the late reply. Good luck tomorrow.

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  Bl89 on 29/01/2015 - 15:18

  +4

  Unfortunately I found out that I didnt get past second round interviews. But thanks to all of your advice as it has been incredibly helpful. Yes, the brief 10 minute interview is rapport building and for the employer to see a spark of suitability for the firm.

  I guess it was just like any interview, just broken up or sectioned into part 1 10 minute interview in making a good impression and part 2 (second round) in discussing your skills more in depth etc. Its just an interesting method of doing interview but just confirms that first impressions do count!

  I saw this as a great learning experience though so cheers everyone :)

  • 

    Wallyt99 on 18/02/2015 - 23:05

    +1

    Good on you for staying positive. At the risk of being cynical a ten minute interview was more likely to assess whether you had the right 'look' for the firm.