Whether you are hired or not is decided in the first 3 minutes and the last three minutes of a job interview.
It starts with “Tell me about yourself”.
Most people will tell their life story here. And they will talk about what they have accomplished.
The most important parts of every interview are the first 3 minutes and the last 3 minutes.
Here's how to master both:
Even before the formal interview questions start, this is where rapport building happens.
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👉 Smile, laugh, and focus on warmth.
👉 Make eye contact, establish presence.
👉 Mirror your interviewer's tone and energy.
👉Make small talk (or at least engage with theirs).
👉 Leverage connection points.
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This is also where you'll get your first question, usually some version of "Tell me about yourself."
Keep your concise response highly focused on your career path and on the experience and skills that are related to the position.
Weave in your connection to the company and how their mission, product, or culture aligns with yours.
Your answer should be 80% about you, 20% about them.
Interviewers remember these first 3 minutes and that first impression, good or bad, is difficult to change. So make it good!
This is all about the questions you ask the interviewer and how you close the conversation.
These final moments are your critical last impression, what they'll remember as they leave the interview. Make them count!
Your questions are a chance to show that you've done your research on the company, as well as to demonstrate your desire to succeed in the role.
Prepare 6-7 questions, knowing you'll likely only have time for 2 or 3.
Be strategic about which ones you ask:
👉 Ask about what a successful hire for this role would look like after 30-60-90 days.
👉 Ask about a new company initiative that was announced in last quarter's earnings call.
👉 Ask about the biggest challenge their department is facing right now.
👉 Ask about the hiring manager's leadership style and how their team's feedback is acted upon.
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Finally, close the conversation by confirming next steps, thanking them for their time and conversation, and genuinely wishing them well in the hiring process.
Candidates who can maximize the first and last 3 minutes of their interview are the ones interviewers will remember.
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Ready to perfect your interview skills and land your dream job? Apply for THE FEARLESS HIRE. Let's turn those critical moments into your competitive edge!
