The Art of the Job Interview from Coursera

Learn how to prepare for a job interview the right way! This unique collaboration between Big Interview and Coursera will teach proven techniques to help you turn your interviews into job offers. You'll learn what interview questions to expect and how to answer them. You'll also get access to interactive tools to guide you in outlining answers to key questions and practicing until you feel confident. The course also provides guidance on how to optimize your resume using the Big Interview resume builder and how to use networking to uncover more job leads.

This course was created by career coach Pamela Skillings, founder of Big Interview and featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and other publications. For those new to interviewing, we'll take you from beginner to expert. For those with some interview experience, we offer advice and tools to help you address any weaknesses in your current approach and get better results.

Please note that you will need a webcam and microphone to use the interactive practice interview tools in some sections of the course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Interview Fundamentals

Welcome! This course will help you level up your job search results, whether you're a beginner or an experienced job seeker looking for new tricks and techniques. The first few weeks focus exclusively on the art of the job interview. That's because we want you to be ready for your next interview invitation. You don't want to waste any opportunities! The interview is where job seekers make the most self-sabotaging mistakes. After getting you interview-ready, we will move on to strategies for finding more exciting job leads and getting more interview invitations. In Week 1, we're going to cover the fundamentals of interviewing well. You will learn some best practices for selling yourself and presenting your strengths authentically, the different types of interviews you can expect and the kinds of hiring managers you may encounter, as well as practical advice on what to wear on the big day, body language, and how to analyze the job description during your preparation. We'll also introduce you to the Big Interview Answer Builder and Practice Interview tools, which you will see more of next week when we dive deeper into the most common interview questions and how to answer them. You'll see instructions for how to access and use these tools and, when you're ready, how to easily return to Coursera.

Acing Common Questions

Now that you have a more in-depth understanding of the job interview process, this module will prepare you to answer the most common (and tricky) interview questions that you're sure to face. Learn how to start strong with a great response to "Tell me about yourself." Prepare to put your best foot forward when answering the other questions that are likely to come up in all of your interviews. For each question type, we will teach you what to do and then guide you in using our Answer Builder and Practice Interview tools to prepare and practice your own answers. Read the assignment instructions for guidance in accessing and using the Big Interview tools.

Acing Advanced Interview Questions

Now that you know how to ace the most common basic questions, it's time to get into some of the trickier questions that are likely to come up. First, you'll learn all about behavioral questions and how to respond using the STAR format for memorable examples. Next, we'll cover other common qustions that can get tricky -- including questions about weaknesses, where you see yourself in five years, and how much you want to earn! ln each section, you'll use our Big Interview Answer Builder and Practice tools to put your new knowledge into action. You can easily return to the course from these tools by clicking on the Coursera tab.

Optimize Your Resume

Now that you know how to ace job interviews, we want to make sure that you're getting plenty of opportunities to show off your skills. To land more interviews, you need to make sure your resume is optimized to get past the gatekeepers and highlight your fit. The lessons in this module will teach you how to format your resume, write an incredible resume summary, and get past the algorithms of Applicant Tracking Systems. Once you have mastered the material, we will guide you in using our Big Interview Resume Builder to turn your new knowledge into a new resume.

Ramp Up Your Job Search

Congratulations! If you've made it this far, it means you're interview-ready and have a solid resume to market yourself effectively for your target opportunities. Now there's no reason to hold back from ramping up your job search to identify more leads and line up more interviews. Our focus here is on networking and targeting your job search more effectively. Of course, you should also continue to monitor job boards and follow other standard job search protocols. However, this course is on improving your results and we've found that networking and job targeting are the best ways to take your job search from basic to optimized.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and techniques useful for nailing the job interview process, which is a core skill for any job search

Offers a series of interactive tools for building responses to common interview questions and practicing answers, which provides a hands-on approach to preparing for an interview

Taught by Pamela Skillings, founder of Big Interview and featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and other publications, which indicates that the instructor is an authority in the field

Suitable for all levels of experience, which makes it a good resource for a wide range of job seekers

Involves the use of the Answer Builder and Practice Interview tools to prepare for common interview questions, which may require access to a webcam and microphone

Reviews summary

Informative and practical course

Learners say this course is highly informative and educational. They mention that the course has enhanced their work ethic skills and prepared them for the job market. Students say the course has particularly relevant content across industries and engaging assignments.

Develops valuable work skills

"THIS COURSE HAS HELP ME TO DVELOP STRONG WORK ETHIC SKILLS"

"prepared me for the world of work"

Educational and relevant content

"The course was very educational and informative."

"Excellent course relevant to the times across all industries."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Art of the Job Interview with these activities:

Practice basic interviewing skills

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Practice answering common interview questions and rehearse your responses to make a great first impression.

Browse courses on Interview Techniques

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Prepare a list of common interview questions
Practice answering each question out loud
Record yourself answering questions and review your performance

Brush Up on Basic Interviewing Techniques

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing basic interviewing techniques.

Browse courses on Interviewing Techniques

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Read articles or watch videos about interviewing.
Attend a workshop or webinar on interviewing.
Practice answering common interview questions.

Answer Interview Questions in Practice

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Reinforce your understanding by practicing how to answer common interview questions.

Browse courses on Interview Skills

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Review common interview questions.
Practice answering questions out loud.
Record yourself answering questions.
Analyze your answers and identify areas for improvement.

Eight other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 11 activities

Watch video tutorials on interview preparation

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Learn from experts and gain insights on how to effectively prepare for and perform in job interviews.

Browse courses on Interview Preparation

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Search for reputable online sources or platforms offering video tutorials on interview preparation
Curate a playlist of relevant tutorials covering various aspects of interviewing
Take notes and apply the techniques and strategies shared in the tutorials

Complete online interview practice exercises

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Engage in interactive exercises and simulations to refine your interview techniques and build confidence.

Browse courses on Job Interview Skills

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Explore online platforms or mobile applications that offer interview practice exercises
Select exercises that align with the specific job roles and industries you are targeting
Complete the exercises, reviewing your performance and identifying areas for improvement

Craft a Standout Resume

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Showcase your skills and experience by creating a compelling resume that highlights your fit for the roles you're targeting.

Browse courses on Resume Writing

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Research different resume formats and choose the one that best suits your experience and skills.
Tailor your resume to each job application, highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
Get feedback on your resume from a career counselor, mentor, or friend.
Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it.

Attend workshops on resume writing and interview techniques

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Gain professional guidance and practical tips to enhance your resume and interview skills.

Browse courses on Job Search Strategies

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Identify reputable workshops offered by career centers, professional organizations, or industry experts
Register for workshops that align with your career goals and areas for improvement
Attend the workshops, actively participate in discussions, and take notes on key takeaways
Apply the knowledge and techniques learned in your job search and interview preparation

Attend Industry Events

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Expand your professional network and discover potential job opportunities by attending industry events.

Browse courses on Networking

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Research industry events in your field.
Register for events that align with your career goals.
Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself to potential connections.
Follow up with people you meet after the event.

Conduct mock interviews with a friend or colleague

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Simulate real-world interview scenarios and receive constructive feedback to improve your performance and confidence.

Browse courses on Mock Interviews

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Identify a friend, colleague, or mentor who is willing to participate as an interviewer
Prepare a list of potential interview questions
Conduct the mock interview, taking turns playing the roles of interviewer and interviewee
Provide and receive feedback on communication skills, body language, and overall performance

Attend industry events and meetups

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Connect with professionals in your field, expand your network, and gain insights into potential job opportunities.

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Research upcoming industry events and meetups relevant to your career goals
Prepare a brief elevator pitch to introduce yourself and your skills
Attend the events, engage in conversations, and exchange contact information with potential connections
Follow up with new contacts after the events to maintain relationships

Create a portfolio or website showcasing your skills and experience

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Demonstrate your capabilities and stand out to potential employers by creating a professional portfolio that showcases your best work.

Browse courses on Portfolio Creation

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Gather examples of your best work, including projects, assignments, and any relevant accomplishments
Choose a platform or website builder to create your portfolio
Design and organize your portfolio to highlight your skills and experience
Include a clear call-to-action, such as a contact form or a link to your resume

Career center

Learners who complete The Art of the Job Interview will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Talent Acquisition Specialists are responsible for finding and attracting top talent for their organizations. This course can help Talent Acquisition Specialists develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Talent Acquisition Specialists can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Acquisition Specialist

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources for their organizations. This includes recruiting, hiring, training, and developing employees. This course can help Human Resources Managers develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Human Resources Managers can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Recruiter

Recruiters are responsible for finding and attracting top talent for their organizations. This course can help Recruiters develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Recruiters can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Career Counselor

Career Counselors help individuals make informed decisions about their careers. This course can help Career Counselors develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Career Counselors can help their clients find and land the jobs they want.

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Job Coach

Job Coaches help individuals find and keep jobs. This course can help Job Coaches develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their clients' resumes, and build a strong network of employers. With the knowledge gained from this course, Job Coaches can help their clients find and land the jobs they want.

See salaries and explore the career path for Job Coach

Training and Development Manager

Training and Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing training programs for their organizations. This course can help Training and Development Managers develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Training and Development Managers can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Organizational Development Consultant

Organizational Development Consultants help organizations improve their performance. This course can help Organizational Development Consultants develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of clients. With the knowledge gained from this course, Organizational Development Consultants can help their clients attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Career Development Specialist

Career Development Specialists help individuals develop their careers. This course can help Career Development Specialists develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their clients' resumes, and build a strong network of employers. With the knowledge gained from this course, Career Development Specialists can help their clients find and land the jobs they want.

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Executive Recruiter

Executive Recruiters find and attract top talent for executive positions. This course can help Executive Recruiters develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Executive Recruiters can help their clients attract and hire the best possible executives.

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Human Resources Consultant

Human Resources Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on all aspects of human resources. This course can help Human Resources Consultants develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of clients. With the knowledge gained from this course, Human Resources Consultants can help their clients attract and hire the best possible employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Consultant

Labor Relations Specialist

Labor Relations Specialists help organizations manage their relationships with their employees. This course can help Labor Relations Specialists develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Labor Relations Specialists can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Compensation and Benefits Manager

Compensation and Benefits Managers are responsible for developing and managing compensation and benefits programs for their organizations. This course can help Compensation and Benefits Managers develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Compensation and Benefits Managers can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Managers are responsible for managing employee relations for their organizations. This course can help Employee Relations Managers develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Employee Relations Managers can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion programs for their organizations. This course can help Diversity and Inclusion Managers develop the skills they need to conduct effective job interviews, optimize their resumes, and build a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Diversity and Inclusion Managers can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialists are responsible for managing employee benefits programs for their organizations. This course may be useful for Benefits Specialists who want to develop their skills in conducting effective job interviews, optimizing their resumes, and building a strong network of candidates. With the knowledge gained from this course, Benefits Specialists can help their organizations attract and hire the best possible employees.

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