Key Takeaways from "Doing This (Almost) GUARANTEES You Get Hired In A Job Interview!" by Vinh Giang
- Preparation is the single most important factor for job interview success. Luck is defined as preparation meeting opportunity—those who feel "lucky" are often the best prepared.
- Storytelling, in particular the 'origin story', sets you apart.
- Craft a 2-3 minute story that links your personal history directly to the job you’re applying for.
- Sharing stories builds rapport, triggers positive emotions (dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin), and relaxes the interview atmosphere, shifting it from formal Q&A to friendly conversation.
- Most common interview questions, according to recruiters: (These should be prepared for.)
- Tell us about yourself
- Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses
- Why do you want to work here?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Why should we hire you?
- Tell us about a challenge/conflict at work and how you dealt with it
- What is your greatest professional achievement?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- How do you handle stress and pressure?
- Do you have questions for us?
- Typical mistakes: Most people answer with bland adjectives (honesty, punctuality), failing to make a real connection. Instead, use stories to reveal your qualities in context.
- Example technique: If interviewing for 'Head of Innovation' at Apple, recount a childhood story that demonstrates your early adopter mindset, linking your personal journey to the company's mission and the role itself.
- Rapport-building is critical: When you connect through authentic storytelling, interviewers begin to see you as a friend, not just a candidate. This can change the whole dynamic of the conversation and improve your chance of getting hired.
- Community feedback: Several commenters shared success stories using this storytelling approach, though some HR professionals cautioned to keep stories relevant to professional experience, depending on cultural context and interviewer type.
Summary:
To dramatically improve your job interview results, invest time in preparation and storytelling. Have clear answers ready for the most common questions, and use a personal “origin story” to build rapport and show your authentic connection to the role. This approach relaxes interviewers and helps you stand out—shifting their view of you from just another applicant to someone they would genuinely enjoy working with.