Do you generally recommend that candidates go 'above and beyond' in preparing for interviews?

This question is a bit subjective as going "above and beyond" can mean different things to different people. If a candidate truly wants a role, in my opinion, they should do whatever they feel puts them in the best position to receive an offer. I cannot remember ever walking out of an interview and thinking to myself "that candidate was overprepared." With that said, there are a few areas, I would recommend a candidate focus on: 1. Know the company/product: I highly recommend learning everything ...Read More

This is a tough one, because it is a yes and a no. What I tell candidates is that going above and beyond is about the depth of the answer, the thoughtfulness of the preparation, and the clarity of how they present it. You don’t want to come off as insincere, gimmicky, or robotic. What I look for in answers and preparedness is Do you understand my company's product and industry beyond just surface level. Do you have real life examples that are tied to outcomes and results.. not just a recital of ...Read More

It's really important to be prepared for any interview you take the time to do, both out of respect for the hiring manager's time and your own. That said, I view an interview as a conversation and opportunity for both parties to learn about each other. Here are two tips for being prepared and showcasing yourself in the best way: Any presentation or demonstration project should be done explicitly for the hiring company. Many Customer Success roles will require candidates who advance multiple roun ...Read More

The phrasing of this question is interesting to me since I can't know what the asker's definition of 'above and beyond' is... so let me just say that there is a level of commitment in preparation that should always be fulfilled. However, if you go beyond this level, it can get weird (e.g. don't get weird with a hyperlevel of detail about my life as portrayed on LinkedIn, for example). The professional level of preparation for interviews: Research who you are meeting with. Notice their experience ...Read More