This is the way to get that insane job at Google

Often, you find yourself waiting for a job interview with a slightly elevated heart rate and clammy hands until you are picked up at the reception. Not a pleasant feeling. Some people dislike it so much that they stay where they are. A shame, because what if that conversation could land you that amazing job at Google? Google wouldn't be Google if they didn't come up with something for that.

As a freelancer, I am lucky that I hardly have to do any job applications. You have a conversation, and if you both think ‘yes’, then you go for it. But I have had my fair share of job applications, so I have a tactic. I always make sure to stand when I meet someone. This literally puts you on the same level as the person you have an appointment with, which creates more equality. There's nothing wrong with wandering through a lobby to browse some magazines or to take a closer look at a piece of art. Furthermore, I have a sort of mantra in my head: you are exactly right as you are. This is to prevent me from pretending to be someone I'm not, because in the end, no one benefits from that. And I make sure not to carry too much stuff with me. I leave my coat in the car and stick to one bag. All nice tips, of course, but now that conversation. That first impression is made in seven seconds, but something meaningful still needs to come out of your mouth.

Can you tell me a bit more about yourself? How do your previous colleagues see you? Your best trait according to your best friend? What is the most complicated problem you have ever solved at work, and how did you fix it? Are you good in a team? All questions that can be asked during a job interview. And of course, you think a bit about what you will answer to such questions beforehand, but it always comes out just a bit less smoothly than you want. As you walk towards the door, you actually already know a better answer. Google came up with something for that, so you can easily spit out those answers during the job interview: the Interview Warmup. 

Google gives you five practice questions, and you provide five answers. It can be as detailed as you want. Afterwards, the Interview Warmup analyzes your answers and gives feedback. It's almost as if you are already sitting at the table for an interview. By the way, these are not simple questions, because you really have to think about a suitable answer. For now, the tool is still in English, but I can't wait until we can practice that job interview a hundred times in Dutch. And an added bonus: if you apply to Google, there's a good chance that English is the working language.

Practice away, there's a good chance you will just rock that conversation. And remember: you are exactly right as you are. Especially when you smoothly throw those answers on the table later.

Source: HuffPost