Coding Chats episode 61 - John Crickett interviews Austen about his new book and the significance of behavioural interviews in the hiring process, especially in today's competitive job market. Austen shares insights on what interviewers look for, how to tailor preparation for specific companies, and the importance of storytelling in interviews. He emphasizes the impact of AI on the interview process and discusses how candidates can effectively present their experiences, particularly in conflict resolution scenarios. The conversation also covers the different expectations for candidates at various career stages and the importance of preparation and practice in mastering behavioural interviews.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Behavioral Interviews02:43 What Interviewers Look For05:32 Understanding Company Expectations07:48 Austen's Background and Expertise09:59 The Impact of AI on Interviews12:10 Behavioral Interviews Beyond Big Tech14:11 Crafting Your Introduction18:55 Selecting Stories for Interviews24:32 Creating Compelling Interview Stories28:38 The Difference Between Junior and Senior Engineers29:50 Crafting Compelling Stories for Interviews31:28 Timing and Length of Stories in Interviews33:34 Selecting the Right Story for the Interview37:05 The Importance of Scope and Relevance in Storytelling37:52 Using the Menu Technique for Story Selection40:37 Enhancing Conflict Resolution Stories43:48 The Drama in Conflict Resolution48:12 Improving Conflict Resolution Narratives55:00 The Role of Escalation in Conflict Resolution58:11 The Big Three Questions in Behavioral Interviews59:54 Understanding Interview Dynamics01:03:08 The Importance of Asking Questions01:06:56 Feedback Loops in Behavioral Interviews01:12:04 Navigating Different Career Stages01:17:52 Adapting Stories for Different Organizations01:23:02 Leveraging Personal Projects in Interviews01:24:41 Key Takeaways for Interview SuccessAusten's Links:https://thebehavioral.substack.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G6CM9T87John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysBehavioral interviews are crucial for differentiating candidates in a competitive job market.Understanding what interviewers are looking for can significantly improve your chances of success.Tailoring your preparation to the specific company and role is essential.Your past experiences and stories are likely more valuable than you think.Practice and preparation are key to performing well in interviews.

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