Interview for dream job

[Anonymous]

I just landed a first round interview for a dream job. I'm so excited. The interview will be a standard 30-minute virtual meeting with a recruiter. I am not new to this format, and usually do pretty well, but really want to stand out. How do you usually prepare for a first round interview?

So far, I have asked ChatGPT to come up with questions using the job description. It did a pretty good job, so I will work on strong responses with concrete examples that demonstrate results. I'll also obviously review the org's website, main priorities, etc and re-read my own application materials.

I'm also reaching out to a person I know on the team.

What else would you do to to feel well prepared and confident in this interview?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

What type of job is it? That would help us, help you.

[Anonymous]

Can you practice with a real person?

[Anonymous]

Attention to detail? You posted twice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What type of job is it? That would help us, help you.

It's for a senior role in tech policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you practice with a real person?

Yes, that's a good idea. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attention to detail? You posted twice.

I encountered an error when I initially hit submit, so posted again without realizing the first one went through. I have asked Jeff to remove the other thread.

[Anonymous]

I always nail down the questions, tell me about yourself and why do you want this job.

Since it’s your dream job, I’d be up front about how excited you are about it to the recruiter. Excitement goes a long way, and if you are a good fit, I think recruiters would likely at least send you to the second round if you express why you are really excited about this job too.

I’d also name drop the internal people you know (I just talked to X, I know X is great to work with, etc) to show you’ve done your homework and can easily jump into the team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always nail down the questions, tell me about yourself and why do you want this job.

Since it’s your dream job, I’d be up front about how excited you are about it to the recruiter. Excitement goes a long way, and if you are a good fit, I think recruiters would likely at least send you to the second round if you express why you are really excited about this job too.

I’d also name drop the internal people you know (I just talked to X, I know X is great to work with, etc) to show you’ve done your homework and can easily jump into the team

OP here. Thank you! Great advice. Will be sure to be clear on these questions and let my enthusiasm show. Appreciate your input.

[Anonymous]

Story here. I knew a Harvard MBA who went into a very well known target company interview and had no problem telling them it was her dream job. She didn't get near an offer.

The lesson: confidence is a highly respected human trait. At some level, you need to be in control and show legitimate interest, but also a "it's just a company and job, if it doesn't happen no big deal" vibe. You do not want to give them too much power.

Interviewing is a game and the people who treat it as such psychologically deal with it better.

[Anonymous]

Be yourself! Seriously. Being genuine shows through

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Story here. I knew a Harvard MBA who went into a very well known target company interview and had no problem telling them it was her dream job. She didn't get near an offer.

The lesson: confidence is a highly respected human trait. At some level, you need to be in control and show legitimate interest, but also a "it's just a company and job, if it doesn't happen no big deal" vibe. You do not want to give them too much power.

Interviewing is a game and the people who treat it as such psychologically deal with it better.

Agree with this completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you practice with a real person?

So passe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Story here. I knew a Harvard MBA who went into a very well known target company interview and had no problem telling them it was her dream job. She didn't get near an offer.

The lesson: confidence is a highly respected human trait. At some level, you need to be in control and show legitimate interest, but also a "it's just a company and job, if it doesn't happen no big deal" vibe. You do not want to give them too much power.

Interviewing is a game and the people who treat it as such psychologically deal with it better.

Agree with this completely.

I wouldn't act completely indifferent during the interview, but I also cringe when I hear people say "dream job." Because let's be real, "dream jobs" are really about having a boss who you work well with, having good coworkers, having work life balance. None of these things are fully identifiable during an interview. Yes, you want the cards to be as stacked as possible when you accept a new position, but who knows what the dirty laundry is going to really look like until you're hip deep in it.

What I'm getting at is similar to the PP here. You hold some power and decision making too. You want to find out if THEY are a good fit for YOU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of job is it? That would help us, help you.

It's for a senior role in tech policy.

At the senior level, I would be prepared to talk about your ideas for the role, goals, your management philosophy, etc. not just past experience.