Part One: The Unwritten Rules Of Interviewing
A great answer to "tell me about yourself" can't save you if you already lost the interview in the lobby. Heather Redisch breaks down the unwritten rules of job interviews and how to make a good first impression. Many of these expectations are never formally explained, yet they can shape how a candidate is perceived long before the interview really gets underway.
Heather shares what hiring managers and recruiters notice before, during, and after an interview. She explains how to research a company before an interview beyond a quick scroll through the website, why the message on your voicemail could quietly cost you a callback, and why the way you treat the receptionist can carry more weight than your answers.
Once you are in the room, that same attention to detail carries into your body language. Mirroring your interviewer's posture can shift the energy in the room, and a limp handshake tells someone about your confidence before you say a word. Heather also talks about the questions candidates can use to evaluate the company in return. Asking about onboarding, feedback, and how a company actually lives its core values can reveal a lot about what working there may feel like. She closes with her take on the thank-you note after a job interview, including why a thoughtful follow-up can matter and why a generic AI-written note may not be worth sending.
This episode is full of interview tips for recent college graduates and anyone relearning the unwritten rules of job interviews for a new job market. If you have an interview coming up, this is a useful reminder that the small details can matter just as much as the answers you prepare.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Why the unwritten rules of job interviews exist
02:22 Generational gaps in workplace communication norms
04:42 How to research a company before an interview
09:23 Your voicemail and email response habits matter
11:45 Arriving early and reading the room correctly
16:11 Why reception and elevator etiquette get evaluated
18:59 How to make a good first impression fast
23:22 Interview body language tips and mirroring the room
25:42 Smart questions that reveal a company's real culture
30:28 Thank you note after job interview and biggest mistakes
Connect with Heather Redisch:
Follow Adulting101 on Instagram
Podcast production and podcast strategy provided by HiveCast.fm