--- title: The One Thing You Should Always Do in a Job Interview, According to Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran and Other Top CEOs description: Top business leaders say these are what they do (and don't) look for during the interview process. authors: - name: The Oracles url: https://money.com/author/the-oracles/ at_money_since: 2018 articles: 22 covers: - Career Advice - Investing - Lifestyle - Personal Finance former_staff: true published: '2019-06-11T10:00:50.000Z' modified: '2023-06-16T09:49:21.000Z' section: Career Advice tags: - how to get a job - Job interview tips - msyndication word_count: 810 canonical: https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Two people shaking hands](https://img.money.com/2019/06/wowemployer.jpg) Interviews are a daunting and crucial part of the job hunt. We asked these company leaders and Advisors in [The Oracles](http://www.theoracles.com) what they look for when interviewing candidates. Here’s their advice on how to stand out. ## **1\. Be positive.** ![](https://img.money.com/2019/06/barbara-corcoran2.jpg) I never look at resumes; they just get in the way. I want to know what your family is like and why you are the person standing in front of me. If your parents couldn’t make you a positive person, there’s no way I can change you. Just one negative person on a team brings down the whole group. ***—***[***Barbara Corcoran***](http://www.barbaracorcoran.com/about/)***, founder of The Corcoran Group, podcast host of “***[***Business Unusual***](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-unusual-with-barbara-corcoran/id1378685290?mt=2)***,” and Shark on “***[***Shark Tank***](http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank)***”*** ## **2\. Talk about your beliefs and aspirations.** ![](https://img.money.com/2019/06/patch-baker.png) I never look at a potential employee’s resume. I assume that if they are applying for a particular role, they have the experience and technical know-how needed. For me, it’s more about whether they are passionate and if they are a cultural fit for our company; so the interview is very important. I start by asking people to tell me about themselves. If they’re vague or talk about material things like playing video games, or [drone](https://money.com/best-drone/) on about their pets, I am usually not interested. But if they tell me about where they are from, who raised them, what they believe in, and what their aspirations are in life, then I definitely perk up. When people exhibit enthusiasm, passion, and a desire to learn, it makes me want to hire them, no matter what their prior experience was. ***—***[***Patch Baker***](https://www.linkedin.com/in/patch-baker-72354a40/)***, founder and CEO of*** [***Mobius Media Solutions***](https://mobiusmediasolutions.com/)***; former U.S. Marine, with a mission to help people leave the military today and not feel abandoned tomorrow*** ## **3\. Ask about the company culture.** ![](https://img.money.com/2019/06/michel-falcon.png) I expect candidates to come prepared with questions. Elementary ones won’t separate you from others; so I recommend asking about company culture, not just the role. That will help you determine whether there is a cultural fit. It will also make you memorable and demonstrate that you care about culture, which is important. In fact, the number one trait I look for is a candidate’s ability to immerse themselves in our culture. I suggest asking the following three questions: How would you define your company culture? Can you give me an example of an employee who immediately thrived in your culture? What did they do to become successful? ***—***[***Michel Falcon***](http://www.michelfalcon.com/)***, entrepreneur and keynote speaker with expertise in customer experience, company culture, and employee engagement; has worked with brands such as McDonald’s Canada, Electronic Arts, and Lush Cosmetics; author of*** ***“***[***People-First Culture***](https://www.amazon.com/People-First-Culture-Lasting-Company-Shifting/dp/1544512147/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555942713&sr=1-1-catcorr&sa-no-redirect=1&pldnSite=1)***”; connect with Michel on*** [***LinkedIn***](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelfalcon/?originalSubdomain=ca)***,*** [***YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/user/MrMFalcon10)***,*** [***Instagram***](https://www.instagram.com/michelfalcon/)***, and*** [***Facebook***](https://www.facebook.com/michel.falcon.1/) ## **4\. Clarify your goals.** ![](https://img.money.com/2019/06/andres-pira-1.png) Find your passion and a job that aligns with it. When work feels like a hobby instead of an obligation, we enjoy it, which invariably leads to success. I always ask candidates about their goals before deciding if I want to work with them. They always impress me if they have a clear idea where they want to be in five or 10 years and specific goals to turn their vision into reality. When they have a purpose and a reason to succeed, they are more productive at work. They are also more dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic when they are striving to better themselves. ***—***[***Andres Pira***](https://andrespira.com/welcome/)***, real estate developer, founder and CEO of*** [***Blue Horizon Developments***](https://www.bluehorizon-thailand.com/)***, and author of “Homeless to Billionaire: The 18 Principles of Wealth Attraction and Creating Unlimited Opportunity” (available on*** [***Amazon***](https://www.amazon.com/Homeless-Billionaire-Principles-Attraction-Opportunity/dp/1946633860) ***and*** [***Kindle***](https://www.amazon.com/Homeless-Billionaire-Principles-Attraction-Opportunity-ebook/dp/B07QGNDNCV)***); follow Andres on*** [***Facebook***](https://www.facebook.com/PiraAndres/)***,*** [***Instagram***](https://instagram.com/andrespira.official)***, and*** [***YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbee4TbiXDn8gizi2FXBDg/videos) ## **5\. Show your personality.** ![](https://img.money.com/2019/06/tom-shieh.png) We recently received over 150 applications for a position. You must stand out and make an impression to have a chance. I love seeing personality and relatability. Talk to me like a friend, not like we’re strangers in formal attire awkwardly trying to be cordial. Creating a video will immediately set you apart and capture my attention. It gives me the opportunity to learn about your personality, feel connected to you, and know that I like you before we ever meet. You can even include a meme in your application — but be discerning. Do your research about our company news and accolades, leadership team, and vision. Customize your response to demonstrate how your skill set would be a strategic fit. Then follow up. If you aren’t persistent and proactive in the application process, I doubt you will be if you join my team. ***—*** [***Tom Shieh***](http://www.tomshieh.com/)***, CEO of*** [***Crimcheck***](http://www.crimcheck.net/)***; advisory board member to*** [***Defy Ventures***](http://defyventures.org)***; advisor to*** [***Tiny Devotions***](http://lovetinydevotions.com)***; connect with Tom on*** [***Facebook***](https://www.facebook.com/tom.shieh) ***Want to share your insights in a future article?*** *Join The Oracles, a mastermind group of the world’s leading entrepreneurs who share their success strategies to help others grow their businesses and build better lives. Apply* [*here*](https://www.theoracles.com/)*.* ***For more articles like this, follow The Oracles on*** [***Facebook***](https://www.facebook.com/theoraclesgroup)***,*** [***Twitter***](https://twitter.com/theoracles)***, and*** [***LinkedIn***](https://www.linkedin.com/company/theoracles/)***.*** ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Career Advice", "item": "https://money.com/career-advice/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Job Interview", "item": "https://money.com/job-interview/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The One Thing You Should Always Do in a Job Interview, According to Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran and Other Top CEOs" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/", "name": "The One Thing You Should Always Do in a Job Interview, According to Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran and Other Top CEOs", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2019-06-11T10:00:50.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2023-06-16T09:49:21.000Z" }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "The One Thing You Should Always Do in a Job Interview, According to Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran and Other Top CEOs", "articleSection": "Career Advice", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2019/06/wowemployer.jpg", "width": 2000, "height": 1334, "caption": "WowEmployer" }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2019/06/barbara-corcoran2.jpg", "width": 800, "height": 559 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2019/06/patch-baker.png", "width": 800, "height": 485 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2019/06/michel-falcon.png", "width": 800, "height": 553 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2019/06/andres-pira-1.png", "width": 800, "height": 526 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2019/06/tom-shieh.png", "width": 800, "height": 447 } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "The Oracles", "url": "https://money.com/author/the-oracles/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/the-oracles/#author" } ], "publisher": "https://money.com/#organization", "datePublished": "2019-06-11T10:00:50.000Z", "description": "Top business leaders say these are what they do (and don't) look for during the interview process.", "abstract": "Top business leaders say these are what they do (and don't) look for during the interview process.", "@id": "https://money.com/nail-the-interview-and-get-the-job/", "inLanguage": "en-US", "dateModified": "2023-06-16T09:49:21.000Z", "wordCount": 810, "keywords": [ "how to get a job", "Job interview tips", "msyndication" ], "about": [ { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Career counseling", "sameAs": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_counseling" ] }, { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Job interview", "sameAs": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_interview" ] } ] } ] } ```