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Duncan Koerber

Job interviews are strange human interactions. We rarely do job interviews, but when we do, they are crucial to the progression of our careers. You must prepare effectively to do well in these unique situations.

Reduce your risk of failing a job interview. Avoid the non-verbal and verbal bad habits that will annoy the hiring manager. Increase your knowledge of the organization to avoid embarrassing mistakes in your answers. Recognize the standard interview questions and practice the right kind of answers.

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Job interviews are strange human interactions. We rarely do job interviews, but when we do, they are crucial to the progression of our careers. You must prepare effectively to do well in these unique situations.

Reduce your risk of failing a job interview. Avoid the non-verbal and verbal bad habits that will annoy the hiring manager. Increase your knowledge of the organization to avoid embarrassing mistakes in your answers. Recognize the standard interview questions and practice the right kind of answers.

Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager provides a comprehensive set of lessons that will help you succeed at job interviews, both face-to-face and on Skype.

These lessons are a product of my experience interviewing candidates and coaching students over the past 20 years.

Unique to this course: videos of real and effective job interviews. Watch as these students answer the very same questions you will face. Recognize a good answer when you hear it.

Enrol now to learn the fundamentals of successful job interviews and get the job of your dreams.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The importance of researching the organization
  • The most common interview questions
  • The best answers for behavioral questions
  • Non-verbal and verbal communication principles
  • Bad habits to avoid
  • Online interview principles and tips
  • Preparation tips on the day of the interview
  • What to do after the interview

Syllabus

Recognize the importance of interview preparation and understand the material to be covered

This video explains the importance of interviews and some of the topics the course covers.

Read more

This video provides a details overview of the course and exactly what we'll be looking at in each section.

Very few candidates ever try to learn about the organization. In this video, I discuss the importance of knowing the company and questions you could ask in your research.

This lecture shows how to prepare for an interview, including doing mock interviews for practice.

There are only two categories or types of interview questions. In this video, learn about those two categories and what's expected of your answers.

Some hiring managers will ask you difficult questions to make you squirm or test your ability to think on your feet. Others will ask clearly unethical questions that are against the law. In this lecture, I reveal these difficult and unethical questions so you can be prepared to deal with them confidently and professionally.

Remember, you're interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. This lecture shows the importance having questions for the organizations, questions that show you've done your homework.

In this video, I provide some basic principles for your answers to the hiring manager's questions. The lecture then shows how weak answers let you down, contrasting weak answers with strong answers that focus on your experience and successes.

This video shows real people answering the common interview question about a challenging problem in the workplace.

This video shows real people answering the common interview question about a project.

This video shows a person answering the common interview question about how you stay organized.

This video shows a person answering the common interview question about how you persuade others to take action.

From my experience with hundreds of Skype interviews, I show in this lecture the common problems that occur and how to fix them. I present tips on how to perform like a professional on Skype.

This video presents some tips for dealing with the interview day, and it reminds candidates about what to do after the interview is over.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Includes videos of real job interviews, which allows learners to recognize strong answers and understand expectations
Explores common problems with online interviews and provides tips on how to present oneself professionally on platforms like Skype
Teaches learners how to research an organization and use that knowledge during the interview to demonstrate interest and preparedness
Examines difficult and unethical questions that may arise during interviews, preparing learners to respond confidently and professionally
Covers non-verbal and verbal communication principles, helping learners identify and correct bad habits that may hinder their performance
Offers guidance on what to do on the day of the interview and after it is over, providing a comprehensive approach to the interview process

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Reviews summary

Effective job interview preparation

According to learners, this course offers valuable and practical guidance for navigating the job interview process. Students appreciate the clear structure and the insightful tips provided by the instructor, who draws on extensive experience. The inclusion of real-life interview examples is frequently highlighted as a particularly helpful and unique aspect, offering concrete illustrations of effective techniques. Reviewers often mention feeling more confident and prepared after completing the course. While the core content is consistently praised, some feedback suggests minor areas for potential update.
Instructor shares valuable insights from years of experience.
"The instructor's vast experience in interviewing shines through and provides great credibility."
"It's clear the advice comes from someone who knows the hiring process inside and out."
"I trusted the instructor's insights because of his extensive background in the field."
"His experience adds significant value to the course content and recommendations."
"The instructor's perspective from interviewing many candidates is a major strength."
Well-organized and easy to follow, covering key areas.
"The course structure is very logical and easy to follow, covering all the essential aspects of interviewing."
"The content is presented clearly and concisely, making it easy to digest and retain."
"Everything is well-organized, guiding you step-by-step through the interview preparation process."
"I found the breakdown of different question types and communication skills very helpful and well-explained."
"The lessons flow nicely and build upon each other effectively."
Boosts confidence in handling interview situations.
"After taking this course, I feel much more confident walking into job interviews."
"It significantly reduced my anxiety about interviewing by giving me a clear plan."
"My confidence level increased noticeably thanks to the preparation strategies taught."
"This course empowered me to feel better prepared and less nervous about the process."
"I feel more self-assured and ready to tackle challenging interview questions now."
Features videos of real interviews, showing techniques in action.
"The inclusion of real interview examples was invaluable; it really helped me see how to apply the principles."
"Watching others demonstrate answers to common questions made the concepts much clearer and easier to understand."
"The actual interview footage is a fantastic addition and a key differentiator for this course."
"Seeing the examples in action helped me visualize how to improve my own responses."
"These real-life demos were insightful and showed me what a good answer sounds like."
Offers tips and strategies you can use immediately.
"The course provides practical, actionable tips that I could use immediately to improve my interview skills."
"I found the advice on structuring answers and highlighting achievements particularly useful for my upcoming interviews."
"Gave me tangible steps to take for preparation and boosted my confidence significantly."
"Filled with practical techniques and insights based on the instructor's real-world experience."
"I appreciated the focus on specific, easy-to-implement strategies rather than just theory."
Some content could benefit from minor updates.
"While the core principles are solid, some parts feel slightly dated and could use a refresh."
"A few examples or references might benefit from being updated to be more current."
"The information is still highly relevant, but a minor update could enhance it further."

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 Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager with these activities:
Review Common Interview Questions
Reviewing common interview questions helps you prepare strong answers and reduces anxiety during the actual interview.
Show steps
  • Find a list of common interview questions online.
  • Write down your initial answers to each question.
  • Refine your answers based on the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Read 'What Color Is Your Parachute?'
Reading this book provides a broader understanding of the job search process, including self-assessment and career planning, which complements the course's focus on interview skills.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'What Color Is Your Parachute?'
  • Read the sections on self-assessment and career planning.
  • Identify your key skills and experiences.
  • Consider how your skills and experiences align with potential job opportunities.
Mock Interview with a Friend
Practicing with a friend helps you get comfortable answering questions aloud and receive feedback on your delivery.
Show steps
  • Ask a friend to conduct a mock interview with you.
  • Provide your friend with a list of common interview questions.
  • Record the mock interview to review your performance.
  • Ask your friend for feedback on your answers and body language.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Record Yourself Answering Questions
Recording yourself allows you to analyze your non-verbal communication and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Set up a camera or use your computer's webcam.
  • Choose a set of common interview questions.
  • Record yourself answering each question.
  • Review the recording and identify areas for improvement in your body language and answers.
Review 'Knock 'em Dead' by Martin Yate
Reviewing this book provides specific examples of answers to common interview questions and strategies for handling difficult scenarios.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Knock 'em Dead'.
  • Read the sections on answering common interview questions.
  • Practice answering the sample questions provided in the book.
  • Adapt the sample answers to fit your own experiences and skills.
Create a Personal Interview Handbook
Creating a personal interview handbook helps you consolidate your knowledge and prepare for future interviews.
Show steps
  • Compile a list of common interview questions.
  • Write out your detailed answers to each question, using the STAR method.
  • Include examples of your accomplishments and experiences.
  • Add tips on non-verbal communication and handling difficult questions.
  • Review and update your handbook regularly.
Help Others Prepare for Interviews
Mentoring others reinforces your own understanding of interview techniques and provides valuable practice in explaining concepts.
Show steps
  • Offer to help friends or family members prepare for job interviews.
  • Conduct mock interviews and provide feedback.
  • Share your knowledge of common interview questions and effective answering strategies.
  • Offer tips on non-verbal communication and handling difficult questions.

Career center

Learners who complete Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Recruiter
A recruiter sources, screens, and interviews candidates for job openings, making this course particularly useful. This course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager', can provide recruiters with fresh insights into the interview process from the candidate's perspective. Recruiters can use this knowledge to better understand candidate behavior and improve their own interview techniques. This course may help a recruiter to identify the bad habits to avoid that are covered, and to pick up on the most common interview questions. A recruiter will gain a better understanding of how candidates prepare and present themselves, helping to refine their sourcing and screening strategies. They will also be in a better position to conduct thoughtful interviews, asking questions that lead to a better understanding of the candidate.
Career Counselor
A career counselor assists individuals with career exploration, job searching, and interview preparation, making this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' highly relevant. A career counselor can use the material in this course to advise clients on how to successfully prepare for interviews. This course's focus on researching organizations can help career counselors teach job seekers how to understand the companies they are applying to. Career counselors can also use the course's lessons on common interview questions, effective answering strategies, communication skills, and online interview techniques to guide their clients. The counselor will be equipped to offer comprehensive interview coaching, including advice on how to avoid bad habits, present oneself confidently, and follow up effectively.
Career Coach
A career coach guides individuals in their career development, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' is particularly relevant. A career coach can use this course to enhance their coaching techniques, particularly with a focus on interview strategies. The course provides a solid framework for preparing clients for job interviews, and includes a focus on the importance of researching the organization. The course's focus on common questions, effective answering approaches, and principles of good communication will enable a career coach to provide a comprehensive service, leading to greater success for their clients. The course also details what to do both before and after the interview, which provides further guidance for a career coach.
Human Resources Specialist
A human resources specialist supports various HR functions, including recruitment and employee relations; therefore, this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. The course material will provide a human resources specialist with a comprehensive understanding of the job interview process, including preparation, common questions, and effective communication strategies. This knowledge can help to improve the specialist's own interviewing skills, as well as allow them to better understand the perspectives of candidates. The course's explanation of online interviews can be useful as well. The course also teaches the importance of follow up, which can help the HR specialist to better understand the process from all perspectives.
Training Specialist
A training specialist develops and delivers training programs to employees, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. The course teaches interview fundamentals, which can help a training specialist design programs to improve the interview skills of their organization's employees. The course provides essential knowledge in areas such as communication, common questions, and proper preparation. A training specialist can learn strategies to better prepare employees for their own interviews within the company or elsewhere. The training specialist can use their insights from the course to develop more relevant and effective training content. The course's focus on what to do on the day of the interview and after can also be particularly useful.
Corporate Trainer
A corporate trainer develops and delivers training programs to employees within a company, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. This course can provide a corporate trainer with valuable insights into the interview process, which they can use to improve their in-house training programs. The knowledge of common interview questions, preparation strategies, and communication principles offered in this course can be incorporated into training modules. A corporate trainer can also use information learned to advise employees about their own interviewing skills, helping them to advance in their careers. In particular, the course's focus on nonverbal communication and online interviews could be incorporated into training.
University Professor
A university professor teaches courses and mentors students, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be helpful. University professors can use this course to better prepare their students to enter the job market. The course emphasizes important elements of interview preparation and delivery, such as research, question answering, and non-verbal communication, all of which a professor might teach. This course's lessons and examples can be utilized in lectures and seminars. A professor can use the course to demonstrate to students the proper way to prepare for interviews, including what to do before, during, and after. This helps to ensure students are as successful as possible in the job market.
Team Lead
A team lead manages a group of employees, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. Team leads are often involved in the hiring process, so this course's instruction on interviewing fundamentals may provide helpful guidance. Team leads can use the course's techniques to interview and hire new team members more effectively. The course material on preparation, common questions, and effective communication techniques can help in these situations. The course may help a team lead to recognize good answers, bad habits, and to have improved understanding of the candidate's point of view. The course's lessons on online interviews and what to do after the interview can be particularly helpful for a team lead.
Business Consultant
A business consultant provides expert advice to organizations, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. Understanding the nuances of interviewing is relevant for business consultants, who conduct interviews during needs assessments and engagement work. This course can help a business consultant recognize what constitutes a good answer from a client, and how to conduct a good interview. This professional can use the insights to refine their interview techniques when interacting with clients, stakeholders, and team members. A business consultant should be familiar with the proper methods of question design, question delivery, and follow up, all of which are covered in the course.
Executive Assistant
An executive assistant provides high level administrative support and may occasionally be involved in the hiring process, which makes this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' potentially helpful. Executive assistants may sometimes sit in on interviews, and this course's material can guide their understanding of the process. The executive assistant must be able to recognize the qualities of an effective interview candidate. This course may help the assistant better understand the perspectives of candidates. The course, in its focus on preparation and communication, can guide an executive assistant during interview preparation. The course is applicable to a variety of tasks where an executive assistant may be involved, including follow ups.
Project Manager
Project managers oversee projects from start to completion and can use skills learned in the course 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager.' Project managers can apply the principles of effective communication and preparation to their daily work, such as during presentations, team meetings, and stakeholder engagement. Although a project manager may not use this course for the purpose of job interviews, the course's focus on communication and presentation skills will prove valuable. The course emphasis on asking good questions, answering questions with detail, and recognizing non-verbal cues is relevant when working with team members and clients. Additionally, the course's principles will prove beneficial when interviewing and onboarding new members of the team.
Sales Representative
A sales representative sells products or services, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be helpful. The course may help a sales representative hone their communication and presentation skills. Although the course focuses on job interviews, the skills of effective questioning, detailed response, and avoiding bad habits are fundamental to sales. A sales representative should take note of the course's discussion of online communication, as that is a common area of work. They will be better prepared to make a good first impression and persuade others to take action, which are skills taught in the course. The sales representative may find the course useful for understanding how to present their qualities and experience to clients.
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative assists customers with inquiries and issues, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. The course material, particularly concerning communication and the avoidance of bad habits, is relevant for a customer service representative. Although the course focuses on job interviews, the principles of asking questions, responding thoughtfully and professionally, and communicating clearly are applicable to service roles. The representative can use this course to improve their interaction with customers by learning how to present themselves confidently. The course lessons can also be used to better understand how others communicate, and how to avoid common issues that may make a customer unhappy.
Marketing Specialist
A marketing specialist develops and implements marketing strategies, and this course, 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager,' may be useful. The course can help a marketing specialist improve their communication skills, both verbally and nonverbally. Although a marketing specialist may not find this course immediately relevant, they may find the information presented helpful. The course touches on techniques of effective presentation, answering questions, and avoiding bad habits, all of which are relevant to the marketing field. The ability to communicate ideas persuasively is key to marketing success, and this is a principle that is emphasized in the course.
Administrative Assistant
An administrative assistant provides support to an office or department, and this course 'Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager' may be useful. Although an administrative assisstant may not use this course for the purpose of interviewing for a position, the skills of communication, clarity, and organization are all useful. Those in an administrative role must be aware of how their communication and presentation can affect the way they are perceived by their colleagues, supervisors, and clients. The course offers guidance on the proper way to prepare for an important interaction and how to present yourself professionally, which are lessons that may be beneficial to an administrative assistant.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Job Interview Training: Impress the Hiring Manager.
Practical guide to acing job interviews. It provides sample answers to common interview questions, tips on how to handle difficult questions, and strategies for negotiating salary. It useful reference tool for preparing for specific interview scenarios. This book adds more depth to the existing course by providing specific examples of answers.
Comprehensive guide to job hunting and career change. It provides valuable insights into self-assessment, job market trends, and interview strategies. While not solely focused on interview techniques, it offers a broader perspective on career planning, making it a useful resource for understanding your strengths and finding the right fit. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

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