Advanced Interviewing Techniques

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interview-techniques

Introduction

# Course Review: Advanced Interviewing Techniques on Coursera In today’s fast-paced job market, staying ahead of the curve during the interview process is essential. The course **“Advanced Interviewing Techniques”** on **Coursera** provides an invaluable asset to job seekers wishing to bolster their interviewing skills and stand out in a competitive landscape. ### Course Overview The course aptly addresses the evolving nature of job interviews in the age of sophisticated recruiting technology. It emphasizes the necessity of adapting interview strategies that align with modern employer expectations. Participants will gain the competence to tackle tough competency-based and behavioral interviews, ultimately showcasing their skills and abilities effectively to prospective employers. This course focuses not just on the fundamental interview techniques but dives deep into strategies tailored to different types of questions you might encounter. Whether you're a recent graduate stepping into the workforce for the first time or an experienced professional looking for your next challenge, this course is designed to enhance your interviewing prowess. ### Course Structure & Syllabus Breakdown Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main topics covered in the course: #### 1. **Answering "Tell Me About a Time..." Questions** In this module, you will unravel the components of behavioral interview questions. By focusing on: - Differentiating competencies from skills. - Applying the S.T.A.R. response strategy. - Understanding what hiring organizations seek in these answers. You’ll learn how to structure responses that reflect your competencies and deliver powerful narratives. #### 2. **Answering "What If..." Questions** This part of the course teaches you how to navigate situational or hypothetical questions through various strategies. You’ll explore: - Recognizing the underlying intents behind these questions. - Utilizing the P.R.E.P. strategy for clear communication. - Expressing core values effectively. Such proficiency will help you showcase your critical thinking and decision-making abilities. #### 3. **Answering "What is Your Biggest Weakness?"** The course provides insights into tackling potentially tough questions about weaknesses. Key takeaways from this module include: - Understanding what employers look for. - Communicating self-awareness and personal growth. - Using hedging and boosting language to create a balanced response. This will build your confidence and help present weaknesses in a constructive light. #### 4. **Handling the End of the Interview** Learn how to effectively close an interview by asking your own questions. This module covers: - Formulating questions that align with your strengths and goals. - Assessing whether the organization is a good fit. - Negotiating offer terms to secure your desired package. These skills are crucial for sealing the deal on a potential job. #### 5. **How to Ace a Telephone Interview** As remote interviews become more common, this module emphasizes: - Pre-interview preparation. - Maintaining confidence through phone communication. - Closing the conversation positively. Mastering telephone interviews can greatly enhance your job search success. ### Why You Should Take This Course The **“Advanced Interviewing Techniques”** course is highly recommended for its comprehensive approach to modern interviewing. It not only equips learners with solid strategies but also empowers them to evaluate and communicate their value in a manner that resonates with recruiters. Throughout the course, the blend of theoretical knowledge with practical application creates an enriching learning experience. The interactive format allows you to practice responses and receive feedback, aiding in the retention of information and instilling confidence as you prepare for real interviews. ### Conclusion Overall, Coursera’s **“Advanced Interviewing Techniques”** is a must-take for anyone serious about improving their job prospects. Whether you are entering the job market, changing careers, or simply wanting to refine your skills, this course provides the tools necessary to navigate modern interviews successfully. Don’t miss the opportunity to refine your interviewing skills with this essential course!

Syllabus

Answering "Tell Me About a Time..." Questions

In this module, you will learn how to respond to behavioral interview questions, also known as competency-based interview questions. You will learn to: differentiate competencies from skills, break down the thinking behind a hiring organization's use of this approach, contrast behavioral interview questions with traditional questions, identify the characteristics of a successful behavioral interview response, apply the S.T.A.R. response strategy to behavioral interview questions, recognize how behavioral interview responses show job competencies, respond to the three most common behavioral interview questions, and communicate benefits to the hiring organization through your responses

In this module, you will learn how to respond to situational interview questions, also known as "What If" interview questions. These also include the so-called "wild-card" interview questions. You will learn to: recognize what the hiring organization is looking for in asking these questions, communicate your character values through your responses, apply the P.R.E.P. response strategy to answering interview questions, apply the Pros. vs. Cons. response strategy to answering interview questions, and apply the 5 W's response strategy to answering interview questions.

In this module, you will learn how to respond to questions that probe for weaknesses. You will learn to: recognize what the hiring organization is looking for in asking these questions, avoid common pitfalls in answering this question, demonstrate mature self-assessment skills through this question, demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for your own growth, demonstrate your ability to perform under pressure, use hedging language to soften negative information, use boosting language to emphasize positive information, and a strategy for positioning yourself for executive assignments.

In this module, you will learn how to ask your own questions and how to negotiate a job offer. You will learn to: ask questions that communicate your strengths and competencies, ask questions that help you determine whether the organization is a good fit for you, ask questions that help you align the interview with your career goals, probe for organizational characteristics that can complement your strengths, assess your market value to the company, negotiate the best salary and compensation package for yourself.

In this module, you will learn how to perform successfully on telephone interviews. You will learn: how best to prepare for phone interviews, how to communicate a strong, confident personality on the phone, how to maintain your confidence throughout a phone interview, how to manage the business conversation of a phone interview, how to close a phone interview in your favor, how to improve your skill with every phone interview.