Career Sidekick

Powerful Job Interview Tips From a Recruiter: How to Pass an Interview

By Biron Clark

Published: December 12, 2023

Interview Preparation

Biron Clark

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you think most hiring decisions are based on your experience and qualifications, then you better keep reading. Your resume gets you in the door, but how you interview determines whether you’re offered the job.

This article will teach you proven job interview tips to help you pass a job interview and get the job you want. Here’s what we’re going to cover:

  • Part I: Job Interview Preparation Tips – everything to do before your interview
  • Part II: Interviewing Tips – the best strategies to use during your interview to stand out
  • Part III: Tips for After Your Interview – how to make sure you get the job offer after your interview is over

These are the best interview tips that I know, from close to 5 years working as a Recruiter .

After you finish this article, you’ll know how to stand out from other job seekers and pass a job interview a majority of the time.

Part I: Job Interview Preparation

Each step below will prepare you for the actual interview. None of this is very time consuming but it will set you apart from everyone else applying for the job, making it easy for the company to decide who to hire (you!)

Here are the basic interview preparation steps to remember. I’ve put the estimated time next to each one.

1. Research the company (10 minutes)

Interviewers can tell when you’ve  done your research , and they love seeing it. And if you haven’t… it looks really bad, especially at the start of the interview when they ask things like:

  • Why did you apply for this position?
  • What do you know about us?
  • Why do you want this particular job?

So the start of the interview is your chance to make a great first impression. Walking in with zero knowledge of their business is one of the fastest ways to shoot yourself in the foot and NOT get hired .

It could even lead to them ending the interview early. That’s one of the biggest  signs your interview went badly , and you definitely want to avoid that (for example if you were told it would be a one-hour interview, and you finish in 25 minutes).

So be ready to show them that you what they do, how they make money, who their typical customer or client is, etc. You’re not expected to be an expert on their business, but know the basics. 

You can do this company research on the company’s website, on their social media pages, and by searching Google. I also recommend finding one or two recent news stories to see what the company has done recently. To learn the latest on a company, try typing the company’s name plus the word “news” into your search bar.

2. Think of two reasons you’re interested in the company (10 minutes)

Use the company research you’ve done to come up with a business-related reason you’re excited about them. It could be a new business model, new clients, new partnership, etc.

Actual example: I recently had a phone interview with a tech company that was built as a review/info website. They recently started handling transactions instead of sending the buyers out to other websites to complete the transaction. I read this in the news and mentioned it as an exciting development and a really good business move. The interviewer was extremely impressed that I had read the news, and understood the implications.  Total time spent researching: less than 3 minutes.

Along with one business reason, try to come up with a secondary reason too. Maybe community involvement. Or company culture . Almost every company has a blurb about their culture on the website. Read it and mention what you read as a secondary reason for being interested.

You’ll seem extremely well-prepared and well-rounded for having two very different reasons.

3. Think of an explanation for why you’re job searching (5 minutes)

Companies will often choose someone less talented if they also seem less risky or if their motivations make more sense. I’ve seen it first-hand.

Don’t lose out on a job to somebody with less skill than you. Prepare some legitimate reasons why you want to make a move ( without talking negatively about your current employer ). Here are some examples:

  • You’ve accomplished ____ in your current role and you’re ready for a new challenge
  • Your company’s direction has shifted and you feel it’s time to join a new organization
  • You’re interested in a different type of product/service
  • You’re looking for a larger or smaller organization

You can get more specific based on your situation. These are general ideas. If you do a good job with this you can beat out applicants that have more experience than yourself, because they’re not using these strategies most likely.

If you are job searching while employed, here’s a full article on interviewing when you have a job.

And if you’re unemployed right now, here are 20 good explanations for why you chose to leave your last job.

4. Prepare to talk about specific accomplishments

Most people go into their interview and make general statements and talk in very general terms. To set yourself apart, you want to prepare specific examples and talk about DETAILS. Facts, numbers and real accomplishments.

Hint: this is true on  your resume  also. You’ll get far more interviews if you cram your resume with facts, figures and statistics instead of general statements like “responsible for handling customer requests”.

So when the hiring manager asks what you accomplished in your last job, or what you do each day, you should be ready to impress! This is not the time to hesitate or be unsure. Prepare ahead of time for this.

If you’re looking for your first job without any work experience, then think about accomplishments in your academic career – classes you’ve taken, projects you’ve completed, etc. That’s your most relevant experience!

5. Get familiar with your resume (5 minutes)

This is one of the more important interview preparation tips, and one of the easiest. Glance over your resume if you haven’t in a while. Be ready to explain past job changes in a positive light. If you left a job because your manager was horrible, say that you went to an organization that had more supportive management. It’s all about how you phrase it. We’ll look at more examples of how to deliver this in Part II coming up.

Also think of a couple of challenges and accomplishments in your last 1-2 positions. Interviewers love specific examples of accomplishments.

That’s it, you’re done with Part I. At this point you’ve already done more than 80% of job applicants, and you have good answers prepared for some of the most common interview questions . Let’s move on…

Part II: Job Interview Tips

So, you’ve mentally prepared yourself with the interviewing tips from Part I. Now let’s talk about how to pass a job interview after it begins.

1. Prepare to describe your work history BRIEFLY

Most interviewers will ask you to give a quick walkthrough of your background at the start of the interview. That’s why I mentioned reviewing your resume beforehand. This pre-interview step is commonly overlooked but it’s one of my favorite job interview tips and is so easy to do!

If you’ve prepared a good, brief narrative of your career, you can impress them right off the bat. What got you interested in this field? What have you accomplished recently?

But it has to be concise. Nobody wants to hire somebody that rambles on or sounds scattered, and that’s the biggest mistake people make with this relatively open-ended question.

Spend most of your time on the recent portion of your career. Go through the beginning rather quickly. 2-3 minutes total should be your target.

2. Explain why you’re interested in interviewing with them

After walking them through your resume, you’ll probably be asked why you’re looking to make a job change, and/or why you’re interested in their company in particular. This is where the research you’ve done pays off. You should already have two specific reasons for wanting to interview with their company.

When explaining your reason for job searching in general, I mentioned one example of how to turn a negative into a positive in Part I. Here are 2 more examples:

If your current company has no room for upward growth, say that you’re looking for a job with more room for upward growth. If you don’t like your coworkers, say you’re hoping to find a team that’s more collaborative. See the difference? You’re saying the same thing without sounding negative.

Whatever you say you’re looking for, be prepared for them to ask why you can’t get that in your current company. Just answer by saying that you don’t think there’s an opportunity to get this, and that you considered this before starting to look externally. Simple and easy. That should end the line of questioning.

3. Answering technical questions- don’t freak out

After the basic questions, you’ll get into the meat of the interview. The content and questions here will vary based on the job, but here’s what you need to know about how to pass the job interview:

A good interviewer will test your limits. Especially if it’s a position involving some type of technical knowledge (math, science, engineering, etc). The only way they can find your limits is if they ask something you don’t know. So stay calm when you get this. Here’s what to do:

Try to work your way through the question as much as you can. Your thought process is often more important than answering correctly, so tell them what you’re thinking. Ask questions to clarify if needed.

Seeming genuine, thoughtful and honest can go a long way. It’s more important than answering any one question correctly.

Preparing yourself for how you’ll handle a question you’re not sure of or didn’t expect is an important piece of how to pass an interview. You can prepare for questions all day, but you still might hear something you weren’t ready for.

4. Ask your own questions at the end

You should ask a lot of questions after the interviewer has finished their own questions. How are you going to decide if you want the job if you don’t find out any info? The best job candidates are evaluating a company, not just trying to get a job in the first company that wants them. Once a company realizes this, they’ll treat you like a top-notch candidate and try to sway you to join them.

If you aren’t sure what to ask, here’s a mega-list of the best questions to ask .

And here are  5 great questions to ask recruiters  in particular (this is for  phone interviews  or first conversations with any recruiter).

Use these lists to come up with questions to ask each person you’ll be meeting. If you interview with 4 people, you should ask questions to all of them. It’s okay to repeat a question, but don’t tell the last person, “so-and-so already answered all my questions.” I’ve done this in the past and wasn’t offered the job. Lesson learned.

Some of the best questions are opinion-based questions because you can ask the exact same question to as many people as you want. Example: “What’s your favorite part about working here? What is the biggest challenge/difficulty you face here?”

5. Always act like you want the job

You have one goal in any interview: Convince them that you’re the best candidate for the job and get invited to the next round.

So you should be selling yourself in the interview, not deciding if the job is desirable.

Then you can go digest the info and make a decision once you get home . If you start using this approach you’ll have a big advantage throughout the entire interview because you’ll have one single thing to focus on. Other applicants will be juggling everything at once.

6. Don’t ask for feedback on the spot

I’ve seen people recommend that you ask for feedback or concerns at the end of the interview. Something like this: “Based on what we’ve discussed, is there any reason you wouldn’t consider me for this job?” Horrible advice. Never ask this. Ever. Or anything like it.

First of all, they just finished interviewing you. Give them time to think. You’re going to go home and decide whether you’re interested, they need time to think too. Don’t put them on the spot like this.

Also, you’re bringing the negatives to their attention. You’re literally asking them if they can think of a reason that’d stop them from hiring you. Even if they do think of something, they won’t tell you for fear of a lawsuit.

I like to say something like this instead: “If you need any more info from me or have any questions later, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

7. Be human

You don’t need to seem perfect in the interview to get hired. Don’t try. Be human.

If you seem fake, or if you try too hard to give “perfect” answers, the hiring manager might not be able to get a real sense of what your strengths and weaknesses are. And if they can’t tell, they won’t hire you.

So, don’t go in with interview answers you read from the top of Google. If you found those in 5 minutes, everyone else did too. Come up with great answers that are unique.

Remember that it’s also okay to occasionally say, “I’m not sure”, or “Sorry, I’m drawing a total blank”. (This is okay once or twice per interview. If you find yourself doing it more, it’s a sign you didn’t prepare enough).

8. Learn the interviewer’s name and use it

I’m horrible at remembering names. I always have been. So if I can do this, you can too…

When you hear someone’s name, repeat it to yourself in your head once or twice IMMEDIATELY after you shake hands. This helps you remember it.

Most of the time, if you forget someone’s name, it’s because you never really “got” it. Immediately after you heard it, you forgot. So this is how to remember.

Then, use it in the conversation within the first 5-10 minutes of the interview. Now you’ll never forget it.

There’s another benefit to this too – using someone’s name helps you build a bond with them and build trust. Studies have shown you seem more  confident , competent and impressive when you say someone’s name when talking to them.

Go talk to the CEO in your company, and I bet they’ll use your name in the conversation. Leaders do this. Successful people do this.

This is a very underrated tip for interview success that anyone can do. It just takes effort.

You will build a stronger bond/rapport with the interviewer if you do this, and they’ll be more likely to remember you favorably and hire you.

9. Be upfront and use clear language

Don’t use vague language and “dodge” their questions. And don’t lie. They’ll usually know. Hiring managers interview a lot of people and have a great sense of this.

If you lie and get caught, there is no way they’re going to hire you.

And if you seem like you’re trying to hide information, they won’t trust you and won’t hire you either.

Hiring managers aren’t just evaluating your skill; they’re evaluating your character. If you’re going to be joining their team, they need to see what type of person you are. And  no hiring manager wants someone who is dishonest on their team.

What do they want? Someone who stands up and takes responsibility when things go wrong, who can learn from past mistakes, who is honest if there’s a problem, and who isn’t afraid to tell the truth.

The interview is where they test this before hiring you. So just remember that while they’re judging your experience and skills, they’re also judging these character traits.

10. Never badmouth

Don’t badmouth former bosses, former employers, coworkers or anyone else.

Here’s what happens when you do: The interviewer will immediately become curious about the other side of the story. They’ll wonder if you were part of the problem (or the whole problem).

They’ll want to know if you’re someone who always looks to blame others. And they might worry that you have a bad attitude and won’t be able to fit into their organization. And they won’t hire you because of this.

So never, ever badmouth anyone from your past in your interview. Also, you never know if the interviewer knows somebody who you’re bad-mouthing! Many industries have pretty tight-knit communities.

11. Make everything about THEM

Here’s a little secret: The interview isn’t really about you .

If you want to start getting a TON of job offers from your interviews, you need to start thinking about what the company wants. Make yourself seem like a solution to their problems.

How can you help them make money, save money, save time, etc.?

How will you make the hiring manager’s life easier if he or she hires you?

Figure out how to show this, start thinking about their needs and answering their questions with this mindset and you will be in the top 10% of job seekers.

The same goes for writing your resume .

If you want to stand out, start thinking of your resume as being about THEM. It’s a document that should be “ tailored ” to the employer’s needs,  showing them how your qualifications and past work will help you step into *their* job and be successful in their organization.

That’s the general idea, and it’s true for resumes, cover letters , and interviews.

Part III: Tips for After Your Interview

Once your interview is done and you’ve left the room, there are still a few things you should do to boost your chance of getting a callback.

These interview tips will help you impress the employer after the interview is over.

Always thank the interviewer

You want to thank your interviewer when you leave the room and send a thank you email the following day. 

Showing appreciation for the employer’s time goes a long way, and it’s one of my favorite interview tips because it requires no talent; just effort.

Act interested but not desperate while waiting for feedback

Sometimes you won’t hear from the employer for many days after your interview.

They might need to meet more candidates, or might need time to finalize their decision.

I’d recommend wrapping up your interview by asking when you can expect to hear feedback. That way, you won’t be too anxious waiting at home.

If that time passes, it’s okay to follow up with the employer to get an update from them. But be patient and never sound needy/desperate. Delays happen.

If they tell you, “sorry, things are taking longer than we expected and we are still making our decision,” the worst thing you can do is act frustrated or upset. This isn’t going to help you get hired!

The best thing you can do is keep applying for jobs while you wait. It’s never smart to wait around for one single employer because so many unexpected things can cost you the job or cause a delay in the process.  (Budgets change, people get promoted inside the company and they no longer need an external candidate, etc.)

So that’s another one of my favorite interview tips – when you finish one interview, try to get more lined up! Don’t stop interviewing for jobs until you’ve signed a job offer. 

Use These Tips for How to Pass an Interview and Get More Job Offers

If you’ve followed these job interview tips, you’re in great shape to pass your next interview and get the job offer.

Don’t forget: Motivation, interest, and how you explain yourself and the reason you’re interviewing are just as important as your actual resume/skillset. I can’t stress this enough in terms of important job interview tips to remember!

Reading this article won’t change your professional skills. But it can change something far more powerful — how you come across in the interview room.

By using the interview tips and strategies above, you can beat out somebody with more experience and a more impressive resume because job interviewing is a separate skill… a skill that you’ve spent time mastering.

Biron Clark

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

17 thoughts on “Powerful Job Interview Tips From a Recruiter: How to Pass an Interview”

Hi, Great article. I have never had a problem getting a job until recently. I have alot of experience in the health care field and quit my job 4 months ago due to being bullied by a co worker.Anyway, I have gone on 5 job interviews in which I told only one interviewer what happened and the other 4 I told I needed a change due to the type of job I was in was getting to dangerous (Pain Management) With all I felt the interviews went well and was encouraged only to receive no offers.I had an interview a few days ago and at the end of the interview he said he’d be calling my referrals. I’m taking it as a good sign or am I looking to much into it ? What could I be doing wrong ?

Thank you for the best tip I ever heard. I received an email today from a prestigious company where I applied as a customer service representative and inviting me for an onsite interview. Just wondering if you can give me an advice on what to expect and how to prepare with that type of interview. Awaiting for your reply. Cheers!

Hi, Great article which clears many doubts for preparing interview. Keep sharing the good stuff.

Thanks for this step by step guide. Rather common things may be the reason why you can’t land a job, and it’s important to be armed beforehand.

Great article. I wish I had read this before my last interview. It would have helped me to answer the question, “Why do you want to work here?” I will definately use the tips I’ve learned to prepare for my next interview.

Thanks! Yes, that’s a really common question. Fortunately once you know how to answer, it becomes super easy. I hope that your interview went well anyway, and if not, the next one!

It was a great article and helped me to write a follow up email to the interviewer. Great job for helping us. Thanks!

Employers want to know that you are interested in THEM, and care less about your personal goals as long as it meets “their needs”. The research above shows you have their interest in mind

Great article! A lot of information in an easily understandable format. Am definitely gong to start using these ideas in my job search.

Hey Joan, glad to hear it! Good luck in the job hunt.

Is it really this simple for how to pass a job interview? I mean, aren’t all interviews different depending on the company and who you are talkin g to?

Plus if everyone is following these steps to pass their job interviews what else can I do to stand out from other applicants. I’ve been interviewing at so many jobs that seem to have high competition. I make it past the first round but then it seems like a numbers game and I struggle to pass the next couple of interviews to get the job.

Hiring managers use a lot of the same strategies across different industries. That’s why this works so well.

And surprisingly not that many people are preparing as well as they could. Those people might get the job if nobody who is better-prepared shows up, but if somebody follows my method and goes into the same interview process, that other person is going to have the odds stacked heavily against them.

For your last question… If you’re getting through the first job interview but then not being offered the position, or not passing the following rounds, it’s either an issue with your communication, or your job-related skills that they’re testing you on. Are these conversations you’re having getting very technical? Or no? Depending on your answer, it’ll help you know what to brush up on.

Hi Biron, thanks! Insightful article.

Thanks for the feedback, glad it helped!

Hi Biron, Thanks for your free insights! This article is really amazing. Just saved it as a PDF into my archive. I wanted to ask you if, according to your experience, a Candidate can predict if an interview attended went well. You know when all interviewers say, “We will let you know…”, but actually it’s very subtle to understand what they really thought of you.

Hi Antonella,

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

I think it’s hard to predict and most candidates aren’t very good at it. It goes both ways, I’ve seen candidates think they did horribly and be wrong. And also the other way around.

The fact that you don’t know who else interviewed for the job and how they did makes it even harder to predict.

Thanks, Biron! I have read tons of blogs and material about job search and job interviews, and I must admit your advice is more digestible and realistic than the average! I am getting some phone interviews from England (I am Italian). I wowed the HR in the last one, believe me. She just seemed in love with me, but I don’t know how HR persons in general can influence my possible supervisor to attend a second interview (that’s the toughest part). I have noticed interview styles are different from time to time. Every company has its policy. Some of them start the first interview with the HR, others with the external recruiter setting up a behavioral interview, and others again with both the HR and the company line manager of your area. Anyway, I learned that it’s always good to attend interviews: it’s some kind of an exercise. I look forward to seeing what the results will be at the end of the “workouts”!

Comments are closed.

Create a Professional Resume for free!

No-sign up or payment required.

how to pass a job interview essay

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

How to Succeed in Your Next Job Interview

  • Tori Dunlap

Three talking points to help you stand out as a candidate.

how to pass a job interview essay

  • TD Tori Dunlap is an entrepreneur, finance educator, and founder of Her First $100K .

Partner Center

Written Exercise at Interview (2024 Guide)

Types of Written Exercises

What skills are being assessed in a written exercise, what should i expect during a written exercise, written exercise sample questions (2024), tips for success on a written exercise in 2024, final thoughts, written exercise at interview (2024 guide).

Updated June 10, 2023

Edward Melett

All products and services featured are independently selected by WikiJob. When you register or purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission.

Written exercises are frequently used as part of the recruitment process, especially for graduate schemes and training contracts.

Each writing exercise will differ, as they usually relate to the industry to which you are applying, as well as the company and the role.

Some companies request that applicants complete an online written exercise or comprehension test when sending in their initial application form . Others will incoporate a written exercise into their assessment centres .

Many applicants find the idea of completing a written exercise daunting – however, with proper preparation, there's nothing to fear.

This article will cover what you can expect in a written exercise, what's being assessed, and will give you some model answers and tips.

Below is a list of the common types of written exercises used by employers:

Email . You may be asked to draft a mock email to a client. Usually, the employer will present you with a specific scenario – for example, a customer has complained and you need to resolve the issue. Emails are designed to be a quick form of communication, so keep it brief. Remain courteous and professional, and make sure you read the instructions thoroughly before starting.

Letter . Letter writing generally has more formal conventions than email, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the correct way to begin and end one. Professionalism is key here. Remember also that letters are usually longer than emails.

Report or Essay . Law or consultancy firms might ask you to write a report or essay on a current industry issue. You may be given the question prior to interview, though not in all cases. Pay attention to the amount of time you are given to complete the task and ensure that the report has a clear beginning, middle and end. A finished essay with a professional tone and appropriate detail will look better than one which has lots of detail but remains incomplete.

Press Release . Marketing or PR firms could ask you to write a press release, so it's worth researching the format beforehand. Your ability to promote a product/event will be evaluated, alongside your understanding of the industry and how it operates. Do not write an essay: keep it short and professional with an original flair.

Precis . Some written exercises require the candidate to summarise and rewrite a large chunk of text into something more succinct. Pay close attention to what aspects of the text are important – as the employer will pick up on what you decided to include and what you decided to omit – and make sure all of the important information is retained.

Proofreading . Occasionally a written exercise will ask you to review a text and check for any spelling or grammatical errors. Although this may seem easy, take your time – mistakes are often well hidden, and you should comb over the text carefully.

Written exercises can test far more than your writing ability and attention to detail.

They also test your comprehension skills . Employers will be paying close attention to the way in which you respond to a brief – whether you understand what is required of you, and how you choose to tackle the assignment itself.

To succeed in a written exercise, you must ensure that you read the brief several times and tailor your response to meet its needs. Misreading or misunderstanding demonstrates poor comprehension skills, and a lack of attention to detail that could go against you.

Written exercises can also demonstrate your professionalism , your ability to work towards a goal , to communicate with others, and to argue a point or opinion .

how to pass a job interview essay

Prepare for Assessment Centre Written Exercises

A written exercise may take place online , in an interview or at an assessment centre . Usually, they will be timed at no more than 40–60 minutes .

It is likely you will be shown to a meeting room to work quietly on the task. If you are taking part in a written exercise at an assessment centre, you may well be in the room with other potential candidates applying for the same or different jobs.

The format of the test depends on which kind of writing skill is being tested – for example, you may be asked to draft several emails or resolve an issue via letter.

Most of the time, the interviewee will be given a short brief (maybe a paragraph in length) and will be given a set amount of time to respond.

Usually, a written exercise will be written by hand and not on a computer, so be prepared for this and ensure your handwriting is clear and legible.

Here are some written exercise examples you may come across during the interview process:

Summarise the facts of a case file, listing its strengths and weaknesses, and making it half its current length.

Write an email to a disgruntled client who has complained about the customer service team.

Write a report on the pros and cons of a takeover bid, based on 12-pages of material provided.

Write a press release for [XXXXX], aimed at clients who have never heard of the product before.

As you can tell, the scope of questions and themes will vary greatly from job to job – but they will all aim to test your comprehension and writing skills.

Step 1 . Don't panic

Exam scenarios can often cause people to feel unnecessarily anxious which, in turn, can lead to underperforming. Remember that they have invited you to the assessment centre as they feel you are a viable candidate for the job. Trust in your own abilities.

Step 2 . Keep an eye on the time

Don't focus too much on writing an excellent introduction and opening argument, and then run out of time without finishing the assignment. Try to divide your time equally between each section (i.e. the introduction, 3 to 4 paragraphs of evaluation, and a conclusion).

Step 3 . Check your work

Try to save some time at the end to go over and check your work for any spelling or grammatical mistakes, or errors in syntax. Ensure that your handwriting is legible and that your points are clear. A written exercise is much less impressive when it contains errors, so it is vital that you pay attention to detail.

Written exercises give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and abilities beyond the scope of their CV and interview performance.

Though they can vary in form, they will assess a candidate's writing ability, comprehension skills and attention to detail – all good qualities in a potential employee.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

What Is a Job Application Form? Definition & Examples (2024 Guide)

Or explore the Interview Advice / Interview Types sections.

EssaysForStudent.com - Free Essays, Term Papers & Book Notes

How to Pass a Job Interview

By: Max   •  Essay  •  855 Words  •  March 16, 2010  •  1,243 Views

Introduction

Should I be serious? Where and when should I go? How should I direct my body language? What should I dress? What should I prepare? All these questions will probably encounter any one who wants to apply for a job, especially a job you really want. One of the most scary tasks every new applicant will eventually face is conducting the first interview. A job interview is any face-to-face contact with anyone who has the authority to hire or supervise a person with his or her skills. However, an interview needs not to be frightening event. In order to ensure that your first interview--and successive ones--will be remembered as an enjoyable experience, this paper will tackle what you should do before, in the day, during, and after the interview.

Before the Interview

Being able to do the job well will not necessarily get you hired. The person who gets hired is often the one who knows the most about how to get hired. As a result, going to the interview is not merely having the qualifications. Accordingly, any simple mistake will lead to lose the job. For this reason, you should focus on the three important instructions in preparing yourself.

Find out what the job responsibilities are

In order to know the job duties, you have to know the language of industry and any piece of information about the company. Therefore, do an inventory of your skills, knowledge, and traits, before you go to any interview. Figure out what makes you different from 19 other people who might be applying for that same job. It is the suitable time to impress your interviewer by showing that you know your responsibilities toward this job.

Find out and record where, when and whom you will interview with

We live in a commuting world. Therefore, you have to worry about whether you are going to be late to the interview. Therefore, how do you avoid such an experience? Go to the intended interview location a few days early. Check out the place and become observant. Ask the receptionist or secretary about the company. Show interest. Never get anyone mad by the kinds of questions you ask. Observe how long it took you to drive to the location. What kinds of problems did you have with parking? How will these parking issues during the actual interview affect your arriving on time? Tazmeen (2005), academic teacher, states:

I will never forget an interview I was late for. The parking was horrendous, and I did get lost. The company still gave me the interview and the employment test, but I knew my chances of being employed were nil.

However, if you had prepared yourself to this crucial issue, all these concerns would have been checked out in advance. See

Examples logo

7+ Job Interview Essay Examples [ Experience, Skills, Reflection ]

job interview essay image

As one would expect during a job interview, your employer may be asking you to write something . This would be in the form of an essay. This is usually about your experiences, your skills and all the basic information they need to know more about you. They do this to see and to understand you as a person. Here are some 7+ job interview essay examples you can check out for some tips on what to write and what to avoid.

7+ Job Interview Essay Examples

1. job interview essay template.

job interview essay template

Size: 95 KB

2. Sample Job Interview Essay

sample job interview essay

Size: 430 KB

3. Basic Job Interview Essay

basic job interview essay

Size: 573 KB

4. Job Interview Question Database Essay

job interview question database essay

Size: 90 KB

5. Job Interview Essay in PDF

job interview essay in pdf

Size: 75 KB

6. Printable Job Interview Essay

printable job interview essay

Size: 66 KB

7. Job Interview Strategy Essay

job interview strategy essay

Size: 150 KB

8. Formal Job Interview Essay

formal job interview essay

Size: 192 KB

Define Interview

An interview is a meeting face to face. It is usually a conventional conference . A conversation or a questioning for the purpose of getting information from the interviewee. 

Define Job Interview

A job interview is a dialogue between an employer and the applicant. In a job interview, the employer asks questions about the applicant’s work history, educational history, and skills. 

Things to Avoid in Writing a Job Interview Essay

Some of us get so excited when writing essays, like that of a job interview, but one thing we must remember is to summarize the job interview essay   We often forget that an essay is nothing but a short summary of what we wish to write. But that’s okay. It’s nothing different. But unlike some of the essays you may be used to, there are some things to avoid when writing for a job interview essay. Here are some of the things you need to avoid at all cost.

  • Lying about your answers – when writing about what is asked, be careful. Interview questions in an essay may be tricky. Do not make up anything to make your essay sound nice. The interviewer would not be amazed one bit if you lied in your essay. Rather, there is a bigger chance they will not accept you.
  • Flowery words – Most of us are guilty with this when writing the essay. It is best to avoid putting flowery words to make it sound like we did these things. Again, your employer has a way of knowing you are being truthful or lying. Avoid this at all costs.
  • Too proud – this is often taken for granted but I want to put it right here. Do not boast about the experiences you may not have and write it off as yours. Do not boast about the experiences you have in your essay. You have to remain open and humble.

Things You Should Remember When Writing an Essay

  • Voice – keep it professional. The tone in your essay has to be in a professional setting. If you write in a childish manner or as if you are angry at someone, your employer or anyone reading it will surely see that you are not fit for the job.
  • Information – write what is asked in the essay. Do not put any other information that is not required nor needed. Example for this information is through a question that goes like this “why should we hire you?” This may sound easy but be very careful as to what you are going to write or say. Do not forget to introduce yourself in your essay.
  • Explaining – In some questions in an essay, you are required to explain. Like the sample question above, you must give an explanation in your own words as to why they should hire you. However, avoid saying explanations like “because I am the best”, “I am better than anyone.” This will not only make you lose your opportunity, it is also very rude to tell that to your employer.
  • Descriptive – keep your essay as  descriptive as possible . When you are to general in your writing, you are making the person reading confused. Put a little effort to what you are writing.
  • Be prepared – when you are going to a job interview, always expect the unexpected. Answer questions as honest as possible.
  • Reflect – reflect on what you have written . Understand what you have learned and done. A job interview essay is simply one of many essays you are going to go through.

I want to write about my experiences related to the job, should I write down everything?

Yes you may. As long as you remember that what you are writing is true and correct. As well as be careful on how you word it. Your tone in writing should be professional.

Why am I not allowed to show off my skills in my essay?

Employers are interested in what you have, but they are not interested in the way you talk about it. They prefer to see someone professional talking about their experiences in the same professional tone. Rather than being too cocky.

Is it necessary to know your skills? What if I don’t?

It is better to know what you are good at. When your employer may state you need to write your skills in the essay, you have to be prepared to do so. Ask yourself what you are good at and write it down.

Is there a time limit to writing the essay?

Most companies give a certain amount of time for the applicant to finish the job interview essay. This is so that neither of the two parties are wasting time. Be prepared to write a good essay within a limited amount of time.

Writing a job interview essay can be difficult. It can also be rewarding knowing you did a good job and you have done what you were told to do. Though a job interview essay may not give you the outcome of getting that job, but it is good practice on showing off your skills. Once you find out how to write a good essay for a job interview, all you need to do is to remember the guidelines.

To remember not to be too cocky when writing about your experiences. Do not be too shy either, rather be professional about it. Employers do read your essay, so be careful what you write. Watch your grammar and how you word things as well. This can affect the opportunity of getting that job. With all that being said, I wish you luck.

how to pass a job interview essay

AI Generator

Text prompt

  • Instructive
  • Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

  • Trending Now
  • Data Structures & Algorithms
  • Foundational Courses
  • Data Science
  • Practice Problem
  • Machine Learning
  • System Design
  • DevOps Tutorial
  • Web Development
  • Web Browser

Related Articles

  • 10 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid During College Placements
  • 21 Days to Prepare CS Core Subjects For Placements - OS, DBMS, CN & Software Engineering
  • Programming Language For Placement - C++, Java or Python?
  • On-Campus vs Off-Campus Placements - Which is Better?
  • Interview Preparation
  • 6 Common Myths About Campus Placements
  • 10 Best Tips to Prepare for Aptitude Test For Campus Placement in 2023
  • How to Network on LinkedIn - Dos and Don'ts
  • Top 5 Tech Job Portals in India
  • How To Go Incognito in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari
  • DynamoDB: Understand The Benefits With Real Life Use Cases
  • Impact of IoT on CyberSecurity
  • 7 Best Ecommerce APIs You Need To Know
  • 10 Best Tips For Active Listening
  • 7 Cool Applications of Wearable Technology
  • 5 Best Practices For Code Review
  • 10 of the Weirdest Tech Inventions in the World
  • 10 Famous Bugs in The Computer Science World
  • 5 Ways to Maintain the Security During Work From Home

A Guide to Writing an Essay for Job Interviews

Writing is a doorway into your mental perspective. Your written work will convey to the reader how you reason, how you debate, and how you support your point of view. This is why essays are integral parts of some job selection processes.

The subjects and topics of these essays mostly revolve around specific current affairs or political events. The more you understand the topic and have information about the event, the better your essay becomes.

Guide to Write Essay

Things to remember about Essay Writing

  • The essay must be organized and presented so that interviewer can follow it easily. It also needs to be neat and free of any ambiguity. 
  • The essay is not only a quiz on your understanding of specific facts. Your imagination, ingenuity, and ability to come up with original ideas will be put to the test. Hence, it must be written in an engaging, readable style. However, it must, most importantly, include your viewpoints on the matter at hand.
  • Language proficiency does not develop immediately. It requires perseverance and effort. Your motivation to learn a language will impact how well you can communicate in it.
  • In the wrong belief that we can produce a quality piece of work in the test room, many of us make the mistake of accumulating information and facts on the likely topics at the eleventh hour of preparation.
  • What we must realize is that organizing information using the proper terminology will be a laborious task, especially under the strain of a deadline
  • Improve your abilities by being enthusiastic about reading, taking an interest in expanding your knowledge base, and learning new words.
  • The essay as a whole needs to flow naturally from one paragraph to the next so that the interviewer can sense the coherence, orderly flow, and arrangement of your ideas. Transitional words and phrases can be used to tie the paragraphs together.

Suggestions for Writing Effectively

Now let’s discuss some general ideas and tips for writing essays.

  • Maintain proper structure: Start the essay with an introduction (or a problem), and then go on to give further information about the problem. The essay body should be between 86 and 90 percent in length, the introduction should be between 5 and 7 percent, and the conclusion should be between 5 and 7 percent.
  • Don’t lose track of the subject: Remember the essay prompt. Remain focused on the topic. do not just cite examples or quotations and discuss side-events. Stay rooted in the problem or event you are discussing and then present your take on that very event.
  • Practice is the key: Preparation is required before the examination phase to develop the ability to produce a decent essay. Writing is the key to a successful essay because it serves as the primary means of transferring thoughts from your head to paper. So don’t just read, start practicing writing essays before you write them for the real interview.
  • Draw the readers’ attention: Your introduction’s opening line should spark the reader’s interest and stimulate their curiosity. When discussing a current affair or a political issue, it might be an intriguing question, a stunning reality, or a statement emphasizing the significance of the topic.
  • Explain the background of your subject: The next step is to provide the context of the particular issue of current affairs or politics, so that the interviewer may grasp your argument. This may entail offering background information, providing an overview of the significance of discussions on the subject, and defining complex words. Don’t go into too much depth in the opening; you can go into more detail in your essay’s body.
  • Be resourceful with your knowledge : In order to write a good article about current topics, you must understand that knowledge comes first. You need to know what is going on around you. Be precise when presenting your current affairs knowledge. Be precise in how you think about these incidents.

Mistakes to avoid in the Essays

You’ve probably got a clear idea about how to write an essay this far. That’s great! But you also need to be aware of the errors to keep away from. Your essays will be of much better quality if you can figure out how to avoid the following errors.

  • Synthesis Writing, Not Analytical Essay Writing: If you’re writing about a current event, providing some background information can help to frame the subject. However, the majority of your essay should focus on your analysis. Don’t just summarise what happened.
  • Too many arguments: The interviewer always expects you to provide solid justification for your thesis. Some people take this literally, and as a result, they write as many facts, figures, and quotations as they can. To make the thesis statement more credible, avoid adding unnecessary complexity to the article by making unrelated citings. Stick to the topic and state your case logically without factitively.
  • Don’t sound contradictory: Be clear from the very first about your take on the event you are discussing. You may discuss different and relevant aspects of the issue you are discussing but don’t sound contradictory in the process. Don’t hold extremist opinions. Your essay should demonstrate how well-balanced, holistic, and analytical you are.

Useful Resources to learn about Current Events

Now, if you are wondering where and how to find the current events or relevant political issues that may be the potential topics of your essay, here are some cues for you.

  • Consistency is necessary for the GA segment; daily newspaper reading is required.
  • Keep concise records of significant news. The notes should be revised on a regular basis.
  • Another way to stay up to date on current events is to subscribe to news networks or current affairs YouTube channels.
  • You can read monthly magazines that are offered by different institutions if you don’t have time to read everyday current affairs. These periodicals can be found online and in PDF format.

So, these are everything you need to know about writing an essay on current and political issues; following the DOs and DONTs mentioned here you can create an excellent piece. But always keep in mind that before writing comes knowledge. There is no such thing as perfect writing but the more you are aware of your surroundings the easier it is for you to pen it down. Hence, keep reading, and stay updated to excel in your essay on such topics.  

Please Login to comment...

Improve your coding skills with practice.

 alt=

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Job Application Documents

How to Write a Job Application Essay

Last Updated: September 24, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 192,883 times.

Many employers now require a writing sample, or job application essay , to accompany all applications or résumés — even if writing is not a significant part of the position. The goal of the job application essay is to ensure that applicants have the right communication skills for the position offered. Sometimes, potential employers will provide a specific topic or series of questions for your essay to respond to. However, you may also be asked to provide an essay with no guidance whatsoever. Either way, approach the essay seriously so that it highlights the skills and assets you could bring to the company. [1] X Research source

Outlining Your Essay

Step 1 Read the job listing and essay description carefully.

  • If you don't know much about the company, do a little research on it before you start writing. You might look at their website or do a general internet search with the name of the company to see if any news articles or other reports come up. Go beyond the four corners of the job listing so that you understand who will likely be reading your essay.
  • If there's anything in the job listing or essay requirements that you don't understand, contact the employer and ask about them. Employers are often impressed by applicants who clarify the employer's intent rather than making assumptions.

Step 2 State your theme or thesis statement upfront.

  • For example, if you're applying for a position in sales, you might want to write an essay about your ability to tailor your pitch to specific clients and close the deal. If you have the ability to be more creative, you might tailor your essay to "sell" yourself directly to the employer.

Step 3 Brainstorm 3 or 4 points that support your thesis statement.

  • For each of your points, think of a specific example you can relate briefly that illustrates the point. For example, if you've described yourself as a "team player," you might include an example of how you came in on your day off to complete some of the more monotonous tasks that no one else wanted to do so a project could be completed ahead of schedule.
  • It's a good idea to have more than one example in your outline for each point, even if you only end up using one. That way, if you start writing something and it ends up not working as well as you thought it would, you'll have a back-up handy.
  • Brainstorming can be difficult. If you find yourself churning over the same thoughts, stand up and take a break for a few minutes. Step outside or go for a walk to clear your head, then come back to it.

Step 4 Gather documents and information to fill out your points.

  • For example, if you want to describe how you increased sales in a specific quarter, you would want to state specifically how much you increased sales. Your former employer may have sales figures that you could ask them for. You might also have that information in your records.
  • Wherever possible, use specific numbers and dates rather than making general statements. It's okay to estimate, but make sure your estimate is conservative. Saying you led your sales team to the highest sales in a quarter is impressive — but only if it's true.

Completing Your Rough Draft

Step 1 Start with an introductory paragraph that describes you and your essay.

  • Think of this paragraph as telling the hiring manager what you're going to tell them in the essay. Outline the points you're going to elaborate on in the essay that back up your theme or thesis statement.
  • Sometimes it's best to go back and write your introduction after you've written the body of your essay. That way, you can make sure the introduction provides an outline that matches the body.

Step 2 Organize your essay logically.

  • If the employer listed specifically what should be included in your essay, follow their order, since that's what they'll be looking for when they read the essay.
  • Write in the first person and make yourself the star of any anecdote you include as an example. Use action verbs to focus on what you did rather than focusing on what happened and how you reacted to it. [7] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Step 3 Create transitions between each paragraph of your essay.

  • For example, if you're writing about your skills as a team player, you might note that you discuss doing routine work that others found monotonous so they had time to work on other parts of a project. You could use that detail to move on to a section describing how you're detail-oriented.

Step 4 Use your closing to summarize your essay.

  • For example, you might write "My business school education, skills as a team player, and focus on detail make me the best candidate to lead your sales team."

Finalizing Your Essay

Step 1 Proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.

  • For example, you might start by looking solely at punctuation, then read through again focusing on spelling.
  • If you find that you tend to repeat a particular error, go through your essay looking for that error specifically.
  • If your grammar isn't particularly strong or you're writing in a language other than your native language, have someone else read over your essay as well.

Step 2 Read your essay out loud.

  • If you find that you stumble over a sentence while reading aloud, that's a sign that your writing could be clearer. Work with your text until you have something that you can read aloud with ease.

Step 3 Edit

  • If the prospective employer did not specify a length, try to keep your essay under 2 double-spaced pages. Remember that hiring managers are busy and don't have a lot of time to read a long, rambling essay.
  • Eliminate all unnecessary words or sentences that aren't relevant to the subject of your essay. The majority of your sentences should be short, declarative sentences with action verbs.
  • Apps such as Hemingway ( http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ ) or Grammarly ( https://app.grammarly.com/ ) can help you identify portions of your essay that are more difficult to read. Both of these apps have a free version that you can use to edit your text.

Step 4 Work backward through your essay to proofread a second time.

  • Working backward is particularly helpful for noticing spelling mistakes, especially hard-to-catch homophone errors, because you're seeing the word out of context.

Step 5 Print your essay and read through it a final time.

  • It may also help to print your essay in a different font or font size than what you used to type it. This breaks your brain's familiarity with the text, which can make typos and other errors more noticeable. Just remember to change the font back after you print it.

Job Application Essay

how to pass a job interview essay

Expert Q&A

Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM

  • Give yourself plenty of time to work on your essay. Ideally, you should plan to work on it over the course of at least two days, so you have the time to set it aside after writing before you move to the editing and proofreading stage. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how to pass a job interview essay

  • Unless you're applying for a position in a political or religious organization, avoid including anything in your essay that identifies your political or religious preferences or beliefs. [16] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Avoid using humor, especially sarcasm or ironic humor, as it can be misconstrued in text. Additionally, humor may lead the hiring manager to believe that you aren't serious about the position. [17] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae)

  • ↑ https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/writing-sample-job-application
  • ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2012/04/30/essay-how-write-good-applications-jobs-or-grants
  • ↑ Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 May 2021.
  • ↑ https://www.govloop.com/community/blog/government-job-application-essays-made-easy/
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/application-essays/
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
  • ↑ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/proofreading-tips
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/career-transitions/200906/the-dreaded-writing-sample

About This Article

Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM

Job application essays can seem scary, but they’re really just an opportunity for you to highlight your skills and explain why you’re suitable for the role. Read the job listing to find out what traits and skills the company is looking for, like time management, working under pressure, and leadership. If you don’t know much about the company, read through its website and do an online search to find articles about its work. In your introduction, you’ll want to to describe yourself and introduce the main points you’ll be making. Then, write a paragraph for each trait or skill. Use real life examples from previous jobs, your recent studies, or extracurricular activities to support your points. For example, you could highlight your leadership skills by talking about a time you led a group project that exceeded your targets. For more tips, including how to write a compelling conclusion for your job application essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM

Featured Articles

Start a Text Conversation with a Girl

Trending Articles

How to Take the Perfect Thirst Trap

Watch Articles

Wrap a Round Gift

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

  • The Writing Process
  • Addressing the Prompt
  • Writing Skill: Development
  • Originality
  • Timed Writing (Expectations)
  • Integrated Writing (Writing Process)
  • Introduction to Academic Essays
  • Organization
  • Introduction Paragraphs
  • Body Paragraphs
  • Conclusion Paragraphs
  • Example Essay 1
  • Example Essay 2
  • Timed Writing (The Prompt)
  • Integrated Writing (TOEFL Task 1)
  • Process Essays
  • Process Essay Example 1

Process Essay Example 2

  • Writing Skill: Unity
  • Revise A Process Essay
  • Timed Writing (Choose a Position)
  • Integrated Writing (TOEFL Task 2)
  • Comparison Essays
  • Comparison Essay Example 1
  • Comparison Essay Example 2
  • Writing Skill: Cohesion
  • Revise A Comparison Essay
  • Timed Writing (Plans & Problems)
  • Integrated Writing (Word Choice)
  • Problem/Solution Essays
  • Problem/Solution Essay Example 1
  • Problem/Solution Example Essay 2
  • Writing Skill: Summary
  • Revise A Problem/Solution Essay
  • Timed Writing (Revising)
  • Integrated Writing (Summary)
  • More Writing Skills
  • Punctuation
  • Simple Sentences
  • Compound Sentences
  • Complex Sentences Part 1
  • Complex Sentences Part 2
  • Using Academic Vocabulary
  • Translations

Choose a Sign-in Option

Tools and Settings

Questions and Tasks

Citation and Embed Code

how to pass a job interview essay

A Successful Job Interview

       Job interviews can be very scary experiences, even for people who have gone through the process many times. To pass the interview, candidates must present themselves well and show that in addition to being the most qualified for a certain position, they are also able to explain why. The interviewers sit across a large desk and take notes on every answer that is given. Performance in the job interview frequently determines if a candidate will get the job. Because the job interview is so important, it must be carefully prepared for, especially in very competitive fields. There are a few basic steps that anyone can take to be prepared for a job interview.

       The first step is to research the company carefully. Before job candidates ever go into a job interview, they should look up any information they can find about the company online. One reason for this is a very practical one: it can help the job candidates make sure that they want to work for a particular company or that they have the necessary skills for the job they are applying for. If the company feels like the right fit, doing research about the company will also give job candidates an advantage in the interview. It is easy for the interviewer to know if a job candidate is informed about the company during the job interview because the interviewer will typically be someone who has experience in the company. Researching the company will also help job candidates prepare a few questions of their own. Questions to research could include what the company sells, who the leaders are, where they do business, if they have been in the news (and why), or how the company stocks are doing. The initial step of doing some research about the company is crucial to being ready for an interview.

       After job candidates have done some research online and decided to move forward with the job application, the next thing they should do is prepare a resume. The resume first needs to fit the job description and show any experience that job candidates have that would make them a good candidate for the job. For example, if a job candidate is applying for a job as a receptionist, it is better to include work experience from an office job than work experience from a job in a restaurant. In addition to work experience, the resume should include any skills that job candidates have that would be useful in the job they are applying for. Sometimes these skills are listed specifically in the job description as required skills. Sometimes they are listed as preferred skills. In either case, listing relevant skills will help potential employers understand who is most qualified for a certain job. Finally, the resume should look very professional. The fonts should be easy to read and the spelling and grammar should not have mistakes. An accurate, carefully written resume will put any job candidate one step closer to being ready for a job interview.

       Finally, job candidates should practice for the interview. Lists of interview questions are widely available online, and by practicing before going into an interview, candidates can feel more confident in the interview. While interview questions cannot be perfectly anticipated, many common mistakes can be avoided by having time to think about the anwer before candidates are put on the spot. For example, some interviewers may ask a job candidate to describe one of his weaknesses. That topic can be especially difficult to talk about if a job candidate has never thought about it before because it will typically be associated with negative feelings. Even if candidates don’t practice the questions that are asked in the interview, having the experience of answering questions intelligently will increase their confidence and help them appear more relaxed in the interview. This final step will help job candidates be ready for an interview.

       While they may seem simple, these steps will help job candidates be ready for their next job interview. Researching the company will give them the background knowledge they need, polishing their resume will give the company hiring committee the background information they need, and practicing for the interview will help candidates show their strengths. Job interviews will still cause some nervousness, but they don’t need to cause job candidates crippling fear. With the right preparation, even if it’s your first interview, you’ll be ready.

Exercise 1: Analyze an essay

Read one of the two Process Example Essays on the following pages to complete this exercise.

  • Label the introduction paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion paragraph.
  • Circle the hook.
  • What is the general topic of the essay?
  • Underline the thesis.
  • Underline each of the topic sentences.
  • Do each of the topic sentences support the thesis?
  • Does the conclusion paragraph start by restating the thesis?

This content is provided to you freely by EdTech Books.

Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/academic_a_writing/process_essay_examplz .

‘A nightmare’: Special counsel’s assessment of Biden’s mental fitness triggers Democratic panic

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden sidestepped any criminal charges as the investigation into his handling of classified documents concluded, but the political blowback from the special counsel’s report Thursday could prove even more devastating, reinforcing impressions that he is too old and impaired to hold the highest office.

Special counsel Robert Hur’s portrait of a man who couldn’t remember when he served as Barack Obama’s vice president, or the year when his beloved son Beau died, dealt a blow to Biden’s argument that he is still sharp and fit enough to serve another four-year term.

In deciding not to charge Biden with any crimes, the special counsel wrote that in a potential trial, “Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview with him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

It was tough enough for Biden to reassure voters about his health before Hur’s report hit like a thunderclap Thursday afternoon, prompting members of his own party to question whether he could remain the nominee in November.

“It’s a nightmare,” said a Democratic House member who asked to speak anonymously to provide a frank assessment, adding that “it weakens President Biden electorally, and Donald Trump would be a disaster and an authoritarian.”

“For Democrats, we’re in a grim situation.”

Biden wasted little time before attempting to minimize the fallout. He held an unexpected exchange with reporters in the White House on Thursday night, in which he disputed Hur's assessment of his mental acuity.

Biden grew emotional when invoking the part of the report addressing the date of his son's death.

"How in the hell dare you raise that?" Biden said. "Frankly, when I was asked the question I thought to myself, 'It wasn't any of their damn business.' "

‘Beyond devastating’

Polling has long shown that age looms as Biden’s greatest liability in his expected rematch with Trump. A January poll by NBC News found that 76% of voters have major or moderate concerns about Biden’s mental and physical health.

“It’s been a problem since way before this ever happened,” said a longtime Democratic operative who noted that when focus groups are asked to apply one word to Biden, it is often “old.”

Just this week, Biden twice referred to conversations he’s had as president with foreign leaders who’ve long since died. In his remarks Thursday night defending his competency, while talking about the war in Gaza, he referred to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi as being the head of Mexico. White House press aides have downplayed such lapses as the sort of mistake anyone in public life can make.

The Hur report strips away the defenses that Biden’s press operation has used to protect him and raises fresh doubts about whether Biden is up to the rigors of the presidency, Democratic strategists said in interviews.

“This is beyond devastating,” said another Democratic operative, speaking on condition of anonymity to talk candidly about Biden’s shortcomings. “It confirms every doubt and concern that voters have. If the only reason they didn’t charge him is because he’s too old to be charged, then how can he be president of the United States?”

Asked if Hur’s report changes the calculus for Democrats who expect Biden to be the party’s nominee, this person said: “How the f--- does it not?”

Another Biden ally called it “the worst day of his presidency.”

“I think he needs to show us this is a demonstrably false characterization of him and that he has what it takes to win and govern.”

Biden has overwhelmingly won the first primary contests — notching victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. It would be virtually impossible for anyone else to challenge him at this point; the deadline has passed in more than 30 states to get on primary ballots.

Some of the president’s allies were quick to defend him. They pointed to the timing of the interview with the special counsel — days after Hamas’ attack on Israel, which had captured much of the president’s focus. Others said that in their own dealings with Biden, he shows no sign of infirmity.

“He did so well in this discussion with members,” Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., told NBC News after seeing the president on Thursday. “He’s very sharp, no memory issues, and his only stumbling is when he trips over words consistent with his lifelong speech impediment.”

‘Prejudicial language’

Though Biden was fortunate to escape indictment, the special counsel report may give Trump additional fodder as he fights charges for allegedly mishandling classified records at his Mar-a-Lago social club. Republicans are already accusing Biden of benefiting from a double standard . Trump will likely brandish the Hur report as proof that Biden has “weaponized” the Justice Department for political advantage.

What’s more, Democrats will now be hard-pressed to capitalize on Trump’s indictment over retaining classified records. Before Hur’s report came out, Democrats argued that the two cases were very different. Whereas Trump failed to turn over classified records even after he was asked to do so, Biden willingly cooperated with authorities and relinquished all the material he had, Biden allies had argued.

“The public understands the essential difference between presidents or vice presidents like Joe Biden who occasionally behaved in sloppy ways with respect to where they were taking documents, and a president like Trump, who deliberately makes off with hundreds of classified government documents and then hides them and refuses to return them,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said on Wednesday, before the report was released. (Trump has denied any wrongdoing.)

Now, the distinctions may be harder for Biden allies to draw, given that Hur wrote that there was evidence Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified material after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.”

The report mentions an instance in February 2017, when he was no longer vice president, when Biden read notes containing classified information “nearly verbatim” to a ghostwriter helping him with his book, “Promise Me, Dad.”

Storage of sensitive government secrets was haphazard. The report describes certain classified records involving the war in Afghanistan in Biden’s Delaware garage inside a “badly damaged box surrounded by household detritus.”

Before the report was released, Biden aides had been bracing for a finding that he had simply been careless in his treatment of classified records, a person familiar with the White House’s thinking said.

The political fallout from the report, though, is likely to be “worse,” this person said. What will stick in people’s minds is what Hur said about Biden’s memory, the person added.

Biden’s lawyers disputed the report’s description of Biden’s forgetfulness.

“We do not believe that the report’s treatment of President Biden’s memory is accurate or appropriate,” two of his lawyers wrote in a letter to Hur. “The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.”

In the hours after the report was released, people close to the Biden campaign rolled out a different rebuttal. Jim Messina, who ran Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that Hur is a Republican who “knew exactly how his swipes could hurt Biden politically.”

That’s a familiar argument. Trump has also claimed that law enforcement is trying to sway the election, meaning both sides are now claiming victimization at the hands of partisan prosecutors.

“Hur knew exactly what he was doing here,” Stephanie Cutter, a veteran Democratic operative, wrote on X. “To provide political cover for himself for not prosecuting, he gratuitously leveled a personal (not legal) charge against the president that he absolutely knows is a gift to Trump. And, guess what we are all talking about?”

how to pass a job interview essay

Peter Nicholas is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

IMAGES

  1. Career Interview Free Essay Example

    how to pass a job interview essay

  2. Check out Flawless Interview Paper from Our Writers

    how to pass a job interview essay

  3. Decoding Job Interviews: Strategies and Preparations for Success Free

    how to pass a job interview essay

  4. How to Pass a Job Interview Successfully: 19 Excellent Tips

    how to pass a job interview essay

  5. Interview Essay

    how to pass a job interview essay

  6. 10 Easy Steps: How to Write an Interview Paper in APA Format Example

    how to pass a job interview essay

VIDEO

  1. HOW TO PASS A JOB INTERVIEW! (7 Job Interview TIPS to Help You SUCCEED!)

  2. Interview Questions and Answers! (How to PASS a JOB INTERVIEW!)

  3. JOB INTERVIEW TIPS! (10 TIPS FOR PASSING ANY JOB INTERVIEW!)

  4. TOP 21 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS! (How to PASS a JOB INTERVIEW!) Interview Tips!

  5. HOW TO PASS A JOB INTERVIEW: The top 10 tips

  6. 15 ‘QUICK ANSWERS’ to COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS! (How to PASS a JOB INTERVIEW!)

COMMENTS

  1. How To Write an Interview Essay (With Example Questions)

    1. Think about your essay's purpose The first step is to think about your essay's purpose. This consideration can help you determine what questions to ask during the interview, how to conduct it and how to write the resulting essay.

  2. 10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

    November 11, 2021 HBR Staff/Getty Images/svetolk Summary. Interviews can be high stress, anxiety-driving situations, especially if it's your first interview. A little practice and preparation...

  3. How to Pass a Job Interview (with Pictures)

    1 Do some research about the company ahead of time. You will make an impression as a serious candidate if you come to the interview with some background knowledge about the company and the direction in which it's heading.

  4. Powerful Job Interview Tips From a Recruiter: How to Pass an Interview

    1. Research the company (10 minutes) Interviewers can tell when you've done your research, and they love seeing it. And if you haven't… it looks really bad, especially at the start of the interview when they ask things like: Why did you apply for this position? What do you know about us? Why do you want this particular job?

  5. 30 Best Tips to Prepare for an Interview in 2022

    30. Calm your nerves and/or get psyched. Immediately before the interview (or as close to the time as possible) you'll want to get yourself in the right headspace. Expect to be nervous and plan ahead of time to use whatever tools you need. These methods are different for everyone, so think about what'll work for you.

  6. How to Write an Interview Essay or Paper

    Write your questions. Set up a time to meet with people (you will probably start with at least one in-class interview of another student). Ask questions and record the answers. Analyze the results. Write your essay. Start with the question, followed by a summary and analysis of the questions and answers.

  7. How to Succeed in Your Next Job Interview

    How to Succeed in Your Next Job Interview. by. Tori Dunlap. October 04, 2021. TD. Tori Dunlap is an entrepreneur, finance educator, and founder of Her First $100K . Post.

  8. How to Write an Interview Essay: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

    In order to conduct an effective interview that can in turn become a successful interview essay, you need to delve into the history and background of your subject (s) and the topic at the core of your essay. You can use this information to determine the best questions to ask in the interview. [2]

  9. 13 recommendations for successful job interviews (essay)

    Ask the questions that remain unanswered and any that come up during the interview. Be sure to ask about the next steps in the selection process. Plan your route. Be confident about your route and destination. Even if you will walk to the interview, you should be confident in how to get to there.

  10. Lessons from one job interview can help you in the next one (essay)

    Try to recall the exact responses you gave to those questions, and write them out in full to use as future talking points. Write down "if only" ideas that come to you later. You will fumble through or answer inadequately at least one or two questions you are asked in an interview. Every interviewee has had the experience of realizing at ...

  11. Written Exercises At Interviews: How To Pass Them

    Keep an eye on the time. Don't focus too much on writing an excellent introduction and opening argument, and then run out of time without finishing the assignment. Try to divide your time equally between each section (i.e. the introduction, 3 to 4 paragraphs of evaluation, and a conclusion). Step 3. Check your work.

  12. How to Pass a Job Interview Essay

    How to Pass a Job Interview Introduction Should I be serious? Where and when should I go? How should I direct my body language? What should I dress? What should I prepare? All these questions will probably encounter any one who wants to apply for a job, especially a job you really want.

  13. How to Pass a Job Interview: 10 Best Tips for 2024

    How to Pass a Job Interview: 10 Best Tips for 2024 How to Pass a Job Interview: 10 Best Tips for 2024 Create Your Resume Now Maciej Tomaszewicz Career Expert Updated: February 14, 2024 Our customers have been hired by: Table of Contents "What to wear to an interview?" "What to bring with me?" "How to pass an interview?"

  14. Job Interview Essay

    Voice - keep it professional. The tone in your essay has to be in a professional setting. If you write in a childish manner or as if you are angry at someone, your employer or anyone reading it will surely see that you are not fit for the job. Information - write what is asked in the essay.

  15. A Guide to Writing an Essay for Job Interviews

    The essay must be organized and presented so that interviewer can follow it easily. It also needs to be neat and free of any ambiguity. The essay is not only a quiz on your understanding of specific facts. Your imagination, ingenuity, and ability to come up with original ideas will be put to the test. Hence, it must be written in an engaging ...

  16. How to Write a Job Application Essay: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

    2. State your theme or thesis statement upfront. If the potential employer has specified what your essay should be about, your essay as a whole should focus on that theme. If they've given you leeway to choose your own theme, choose something that is tailored to the position you're applying for.

  17. Process Essay Example 2

    Sometimes they are listed as preferred skills. In either case, listing relevant skills will help potential employers understand who is most qualified for a certain job. Finally, the resume should look very professional. The fonts should be easy to read and the spelling and grammar should not have mistakes.

  18. Learn how to align your answers with the VA interview process

    Overcome your interview jitters by learning what we're looking for and the kinds of questions we ask during a VA interview.

  19. Xbox still has plans for day one Activision Blizzard titles on Game

    Spencer confirmed that Microsoft plans for all its first-party Xbox games to come to Game Pass on the day they launch. In an interview with Game File, he said that covers the full portfolio of ...

  20. 'A nightmare': Special counsel's assessment of Biden's mental fitness

    Polling has long shown that age looms as Biden's greatest liability in his expected rematch with Trump. A January poll by NBC News found that 76% of voters have major or moderate concerns about ...

  21. Faulkner County Sheriff Office on Instagram: "Please join us in

    10 likes, 0 comments - faulkner_countyso on December 7, 2022: "Please join us in congratulating new Auxiliary Law Enforcement Graduate, Court Security Officer L..."

  22. How To Prepare for an Interview in 11 Steps

    1. Carefully examine the job description During your prep work, you should use the employer's posted job description as a guide. The job description is a list of the qualifications, qualities and background the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate.