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π΅ The secret to interviews isnβt about being qualified, itβs about being memorable.
Hey networkers,
With 1 month of summer left, hiring managers are starting to return from their vacations. You know what that means right?
Recruitment season is coming up soon.
So, letβs talk about passing interviews. In this article, Iβll outline the 3-step formula thatβs gotten me through 5 / 6 of my previous interviews.
Thatβs an 83.3% success rate!
Hereβs the route for today
π¦ Topic: The Winning Interview Formula
π Running the Web: Black Oxygen, Foldable iPhones, and More
πββ This Week in 1 Frame: Peer Groups
TOPIC
The Winning Interview Formula

Step 1. The interview starts way before the actual interview
Most people think they should prepare ONLY for the interview day, which is partially incorrect.
Your point of contact with the company happens way before this. Most will have you doing coffee chats or phone screenings leading up to the interview, and these are always described as βcasual.β
But donβt fall for this trap.
Recruiters will tell you that these so-called βcasualβ talks wonβt affect your interview chances. In reality, they do.
You are being judged in these chats.
You see, the company ultimately hires people they like. It doesnβt matter how qualified you are, if the hiring manager canβt see themselves working with you, they wonβt bring you on board.
So, understand that the interview starts the moment you get into contact with the company, and present your best, polished self.
Step 2. Make the interview feel like a conversation
The best interviews I find are the ones that flow like a conversation.
The above was what my 1st manager told me.
It was also the deciding factor that got me hired.
Itβs the most important factor of any interview because letβs say you have 3 equally skilled candidates.
If thatβs the case, how do you choose which one to hire?
The answer is feeling. Hiring managers will often choose the candidate they had the most fun talking with and it comes down to the age-old saying:
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
That βfeelingβ aspect, itβs the key to being memorable.
Step 3. Ask the right questions
The biggest red flag you can give off is having no questions at the end of the interview.
Always have questions, thatβs a non-negotiable.
The general rule of thumb is to ask βhowβ or βwhyβ questions because they spark better conversations.
If youβre looking for specific examples, here are 3 questions I would always ask:
Iβm sure youβve taken on many in the past who were qualified. However, in your experience, what was the difference between those who performed poorly vs those who excelled in this role?
With the vast amount of experience you have, what has kept you in this company and industry after all these years?
Given our chat today, is there any reason you wouldnβt move me forward to the next step?
Closing Thoughts:
Thatβs it for the 3-step formula! While itβs easy to follow, it can take a bit of practice to master, especially steps 2 and 3.
Iβll explain steps 2 and 3 in detail next week.
See you next Tuesday π€
-Michael Ly
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Running the Web

Interesting stuff I run across on the internet
π Days after Trumpβs assassination attempt, Secret Service Director resigns
π Is Google done for? OpenAI is testing its own web search tool
β Itβs a full-circle moment. Rumors say Apple is developing a foldable iPhone
πͺ¨ Scientists discover βdark oxygenβ on the ocean floor
MOTIVATION
πββ This Week in 1 Frame

Another Weekend, Another Run (me on the right)
This section is meant to give the readers a sneak peek into my life and hopefully inspire others to try new things!
Last Saturday, I went to Torontoβs harborfront for my weekly run club!
After graduating, these activity groups have been the best way for me to meet new people.
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