Sharran Srivatsaa, a former Goldman Sachs employee and entrepreneur, shared his experience of undergoing an extremely rigorous interview process involving 39 one-on-one interviews, including a notably brief but impactful 46-second interview where his respectful and coachable attitude impressed a managing director, highlighting the intense and competitive nature of Goldman Sachs' hiring process.
Jessica Hernandez offers advice for overqualified job candidates to proactively address employer concerns by emphasizing relevant experience, owning their story, and demonstrating how their skills benefit the company, while also strategically adjusting their resume to minimize age signals and focus on relevance.
Career experts emphasize the importance of a jobseeker's appearance in job interviews, especially for client-facing roles, following a viral story of a woman being turned down for a job due to her perceived lack of effort in her appearance. They advise jobseekers to consider how their appearance reflects the company they represent, and to be mindful of biases and hidden expectations. Additionally, they caution against sharing interview experiences on social media, as recruiters often research candidates' online presence. Ultimately, they recommend taking constructive feedback to heart and dressing for the job one wants.
A woman shared her experience of being turned down for a job after a recruiter said she hadn't put enough effort into her appearance, specifically for not wearing makeup. The viral TikTok video sparked a discussion on the importance of appearance in the workplace, with thousands of commenters criticizing the remark as discriminatory and sexist. While some advised seeking legal counsel, the woman clarified that she didn't want to shame the company and believed that companies in the U.S. can make hiring decisions based on appearance. She emphasized that her intention was to gather feedback on whether makeup is expected in the workplace.
A former Goldman Sachs recruiter suggests a salary negotiation trick that involves asking about the skills and experiences that differentiate candidates at different pay levels during a job interview. This information can be used to shape discussions about one's own background and later justify a higher pay during the negotiation process. Even in places without pay range disclosure laws, candidates can still inquire about the salary range based on the growing practice of pay transparency. The strategy has reportedly led to successful negotiations for a 20% increase in the initial offer for some job seekers.
A recruiter with experience placing candidates at major companies like Google and Microsoft shares seven interview phrases to avoid, including "I'll do anything," "What does your company do?" and "I don't have any weaknesses." Instead, candidates should express passion for specific roles, demonstrate preparedness, acknowledge weaknesses and show willingness to learn. Complaining about previous bosses and relying solely on the resume are also discouraged, while asking about payment prematurely is a turn-off.
Gizmodo presents a finance job interview puzzle involving a hallway with 100 doors. Each person toggles a specific set of doors, with the first person toggling all doors, the second person toggling every 2nd door, and so on. The question is which doors are open at the end. The article also provides the solution to a previous puzzle involving identifying a poisoned barrel among a group using a limited number of zombies.
Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran shared the essential question she believes candidates should always ask in a job interview: "Is there anything standing in the way of you hiring me?" Corcoran believes this question is polite, forces the interviewer to reveal any objections, and can help establish rapport and garner respect. Corcoran's tactic is one of many simple tactics high-profile individuals have used to land a role, emphasizing the importance of being proactive and respectful during the interview process.
Employers are using a specific interview question to test candidates' emotional intelligence. The question involves a scenario where a man driving a two-seater convertible passes by a bus stop with a beautiful woman, a man in need of a job interview, and a sick person in need of medical help. The correct answer, which only 1 in 100 people get right, is to give up the car to the person going for the job interview and stay with the woman, demonstrating emotional intelligence by considering the needs and emotions of others. Emotional intelligence is seen as crucial for building positive relationships in the workplace.
A job candidate was rejected within five minutes of his interview for being rude and dismissive to the receptionist, who turned out to be the hiring manager. The story, shared on Reddit, highlights the importance of first impressions and workplace etiquette. Even if the receptionist is not the hiring manager, their opinion may still be taken into account during the hiring process. The incident serves as a reminder to be respectful to everyone in the workplace.
A job applicant spent $350 on a new suit for an interview at a tech startup but was turned away for being one minute late, despite showing up on time. The company claimed to be "very time strict" and refused to give him the interview. The TikToker who shared the post felt both sides were wrong, with the candidate should have shown up earlier, and the company acted too harshly. A survey found that 93% of employers felt tardiness was unacceptable in the interview process.
Trent Innes, CEO of software company Compono, uses a "coffee cup test" during job interviews to determine a candidate's attitude and culture fit. He takes candidates to the kitchen to grab a drink and checks if they offer to bring their empty cup back. Innes believes that attitude is more important than skills and experience. He claims that the test works and usually the office kitchens are clean. In a similar incident, a candidate was rejected instantly from a job after he failed a test at reception by being dismissive to the receptionist, who turned out to be the hiring manager.
Rachel Zegler, who stars in the upcoming Shazam! sequel, gave a refreshingly honest answer when asked why she took the role, saying she just needed a job. Her response has gone viral on TikTok, with fans praising her honesty. Zegler elaborated that she was struggling to find work during the pandemic and was excited to be offered the role in Shazam! 2. Despite her initial reason for taking the job, Zegler said she made some of her best friends on set and adores the movie.
