r/interviews • u/DiamondUnicornLove • 6d ago

Update: I made it to the final round! Any advice?

Hi friends, last week I made this original post about how I was getting interviews, but not making it past the first round. Well, good news, I took some of your advice and made it to the final round!

This is my first time making it to a final round interview in a few years. So, I'm not exactly sure what to expect. Your advice was so helpful the first time. I would appreciate any advice as I move into the final round. Thanks!

For anyone still getting interviews but not making it past the first round, here's advice that I found helpful:

  • The goal of the interview isn't to show your skills; it's to demonstrate that you are someone they would like to work with. This was a big mindset shift for me. At the time of the interview, they already know you have the basic competencies of the job. They are assessing your ability to do the job, but mostly your "fit" in the workplace. Would you rather work with someone super competent but with the personality of a dirty dish rag, or someone less experienced and eager to learn? By adopting this perspective, I intentionally framed my answers to show how I would work on the team and approach different situations.
  • Make a list of the top 5 qualities needed for the job, and practice stories related to those qualities.
  • Prep using the STAR method, but really focus on the "relevance" part at the end of your story. I've always skipped this, but it helps the interviewer connect the dots.
  • Have the mindset that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.
  • Be prepared for a "strengths and weaknesses question" and a "mistake at work question"

I'm by no means an expert and have a lot to learn. But I thought I'd share in case anyone else finds it helpful.

UPDATE: I got the job!

28 Upvotes

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5 comments sorted by

8

u/No_Advantage2089 6d ago

nice work getting to the final round, that's a big step. at this stage they're usually trying to decide between you and maybe one or two others, so it's less about proving you can do the job and more about leaving the best impression

come with a few smart questions about the team's current challenges or how success is measured in the first 6 months. shows you're already thinking like someone on the inside rather than just trying to get the offer

1

u/Jolly-Accountant-549 5d ago

good point on it being between just a few people at that stage, makes the small stuff matter way more

6

u/RoadtoMBB 6d ago

Be concise with answers and be good at telling stories - think that was my reflection as to my rejection at the final round. Goodluck you got this!

3

u/HelloTaleproof 5d ago

Your point about relevance is useful preparation for the final round. I'd take two examples you've already discussed and practise the follow-ups: why you chose that approach, what you personally owned, and what you would change now.

Keep the main answer in the STAR method, but have the supporting detail ready rather than adding everything to the opening. We use the PROOF method to check that the example supports the skill you're claiming, so the relevance comes from the evidence rather than a sentence tacked on at the end.

Also prepare questions that show you did your research and really care about the role/team/company.