Job interview advice can come from many different places. So, why not take it from an often quoted source, the movies of screenwriter and director John Hughes? Across the 1980s and 1990s, Hughes had a hand in nearly every classic movie. This includes The Breakfast Club, Home Alone, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Here are a selection of Hughes' quotes that can be applied to your next interview and to your job search.
Advice from The Breakfast Club: It's such fun to read." & "Well, mister, you figure out a way to study.
Reading before your interview is underrated. Read as much as you can about the organization, its customers, the types of people who work at the company, and the types of questions it asks at interviews. Through your reading, you'll learn the knowledge and vocabulary that can differentiate you from the next guy.
Advice from Pretty in Pink:
It's called a sense of humor - you should get one - they're nice.
The job interview process can be stressful. Do your best to have fun with it. If you can laugh about it sometimes, you'll be better off.
Advice from Home Alone:
All the great ones leave their mark.
When you walk out of your interview, will the interviewer remember who you are? You can be memorable in a positive way. During the interview, provide specific examples of your past success. People are better at remembering stories than lists or details. When you can, make a connection with your interviewer on a personal level. And of course, send a thank-you note as a reminder to the interviewer.
Advice from Some Kind of Wonderful:
Any fool can get into college.
Don't be intimidated by the credentials of another candidate, and don't count on a piece of paper to earn you a job. Instead, you need to demonstrate how your skills can create value for the employer. In your interview, think about how you can show that you can get up to speed faster, do higher-quality work, be more reliable, be more efficient, and above all else, explain how you can take on the challenges that the employer is facing. If you can demonstrate that you offer more value than other candidates, you are extremely likely to get the offer.
Advice from Curly Sue:
The harder you hit me, the more I'll know you love me.
Some job interviewers will test you. They intentionally put you under pressure to see how you perform. To the extent that you've prepared well for your interview, you can outperform other job candidates, earn the respect of the interviewer, and earn the job.
Advice from Planes Trains and Automobiles:
Well, you think what you want about me; I'm not changing... I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get.
Be proud of who you are, and express this identity confidently in your next job interview. Don't speak about your imperfections and frustrations, but instead focus on your skills and passions. In job interviews, it's often tempting to say what you think the interviewer wants to hear. Still, if you land the job and it doesn't fit you, it can be problematic. You may not have the skills necessary to succeed, or you may find yourself in a work environment where you don't feel comfortable.
