Veterans bring unique skills and dedication to the table. That’s why the Federal government—through the Feds Hire Vets program—is committed to connecting you with fulfilling careers that leverage your experience and service.
An Army veteran is now a park ranger. A disabled Navy veteran is now a law office manager. A retired Army marine engineering warrant officer is now an apprenticeship and training representative with the US Department of Labor. An Air Force veteran is now a NASA security specialist. Learn about these and other success stories, and keep reading to learn how your story can be one of them.
The Feds Hire Vets program recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of veterans. That’s why Veterans’ Preference gives you an edge in securing exciting Federal careers.
Here are some things to be aware of:
You get a preference, not a guarantee. You’ll gain an advantage over many applicants, but qualifications still matter. Think of it as a boost on your journey!
Eligibility varies. Eligibility depends on factors such as active duty service, campaign badges, Purple Hearts, or service-connected disabilities. If you’re retired, you might not be eligible unless you’re disabled or below the rank of major. Check out the details to see if you qualify.
Honorable discharge is essential. This is non-negotiable for eligibility.
Start early. Under the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, soon-to-be veterans can apply early if they’re expecting an honorable discharge within 120 days.
Preference categories:
Sole survivors: Family members of fallen veterans.
Non-disabled veterans: 5-point preference boost.
Disabled veterans: 10-point preference boost.
Ready to learn more about Veterans’ Preference? Dive deeper into the details, and explore resources to navigate your path to a fulfilling Federal career.
Applying for a Federal Job
While regulations guide how positions are filled, the process can vary across agencies and types of jobs. But, don’t worry! Many agencies welcome direct contact for additional information and application guidance.
Federal careers offer stability, and they value your veteran skills. Agencies often see your experience as highly transferable, resulting in a natural transition for many veterans. But, be prepared for competition—you’ll be among other highly-skilled applicants.
Remember: While similar to private industry, the process has key differences. Statutes, executive orders, and regulations—along with interpretations—set the framework for Federal employment.
3 Types of Service
Ready to explore Federal careers? Let’s break down the categories.
Competitive Service
Think of it as an open competition for fantastic jobs! Everyone with the minimum qualifications gets a fair shot, including veterans with valuable advantages thanks to Veterans’ Preference.
Here’s how it works:
It’s open to all. You don’t need prior connections! Just meet the basic requirements, and you’re in the running.
It’s fair and transparent. They use tests, education evaluations, and competency assessments to choose the best person for the job; it’s not about who you know.
Veterans’ Preference matters. As a veteran, you get extra points in the evaluation process if you qualify.
Find your perfect fit. Most Federal jobs fall under this category, offering diverse options across agencies.
Start your job search. Head to USAJOBS to discover open positions and launch your application.
Remember, competition can be stiff. Be prepared, polish your resume, and highlight your unique skills.
Excepted Service
Ready to explore diverse Federal careers? Let’s dive into Excepted Service positions. Think of this category as offering unique opportunities tailored to specific needs. While they have different appointment processes, Veterans’ Preference still applies unless exempted.
Here’s what you need to know:
Alternative pathways exist. These positions offer ways to showcase your skills beyond traditional exams.
Veterans’ Preference matters. You still get an edge in the evaluation process if you qualify.
Contact agencies directly. Reach out to agencies directly for applications and details; they’re your primary source of information. Find their contact information in this directory.
Explore diverse options. Some agencies voluntarily post openings on USAJOBS, while others manage applications entirely.
Remember, while these positions differ from Competitive Service, your dedication and skills are valued. Be proactive, connect with agencies, and highlight your unique strengths.
The Senior Executive Service
Intrigued by senior leadership roles in the Federal government? Look no further than the Senior Executive Service (SES). Think of this as a distinguished group of executives chosen for their exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to making a difference. While veterans don’t get a hiring preference for SES positions, your unique skills and dedication are still highly valued.
Here’s a quick overview:
It’s designed for top leadership. The SES was created to identify and cultivate exceptional leaders.
Focus on leadership traits. Emphasize your qualities such as strategic thinking, decision-making, and public service commitment.
Positions are advertised on USAJOBS. Explore open opportunities, and see if your qualifications align.
Remember, being part of the SES means making a significant impact. If you’re ready to step up and lead, explore this rewarding path.
Job Openings & Applications
Ready to explore rewarding Federal job opportunities? USAJOBS is your one-stop shop! Think of it as a dynamic hub bursting with over 30,000 diverse positions worldwide, updated daily. Here’s what awaits you:
Clear information: Easily access details about job openings, requirements, and benefits.
Convenient tools: Build and submit your resume online, saving time and effort.
Easy application: Apply for most positions directly through the platform.
Each job announcement has crucial details:
Agency and overview: Understand the organization’s and role’s essence.
Location and flexibility: Know where the job is located and if telework is possible.
Responsibilities and duties: Discover what you’ll be doing day-to-day.
Qualifications and requirements: See if your skills and experience align.
Application materials: Gather the necessary documents (resume, transcripts, etc.).
Benefits: Learn about health insurance, retirement plans, and more.
Application instructions: Follow the agency’s specific guidelines.
While agencies can cancel job postings, the site is constantly adding new opportunities. Explore, apply, and get on the road to your fulfilling Federal career!
While the hiring process for Federal jobs varies from agency to agency and position to position, you’re bound to participate in at least one interview as you pursue opportunities. Focus on how your military service contributes to your qualifications, and practice answering questions. The Yoodli Interview Practice can give you a leg up.
Here’s how it works. Choose the type of interview, such as Software Engineer, Data Scientist, or Learning and Development. Select the type of interviewer style you think fits best (e.g., Friendly or Behavioral). Select at least a couple of starter questions. (After each of your answers, Yoodli will generate one more question in real-time based on your response.) Make sure your webcam and microphone are connected, and click on Start Interview to initiate the practice interview.
After your practice session, Yoodli will give you feedback on your word choices and delivery as well as insights on how to be more concise and how to rephrase your answers in simple terms.
Jobs for Military Spouses & Family Members
The Feds Hire Vets program recognizes the dedication of military spouses and families to supporting our nation’s heroes. As a spouse or family member of an active duty service member, you also have unique skills, commitment, public service mindset, and experience that are valuable assets to the Federal workforce.
Explore your options:
Discover relevant eligibilities. Learn about programs that give you a leg up in the Federal job search.
Gain valuable insights. Access resources and information tailored to your unique situation.
Build your fulfilling career. Find opportunities that match your skills and aspirations.
Ready to step into your next chapter? Connect with the resources and support you need to thrive in a Federal career. Learn more.
Wrapping Up
Veterans, transitioning service members, and families—Feds Hire Vets sees you. They recognize your dedication, your skills, and your desire to continue serving. That’s why they exist—to connect you with fulfilling Federal careers that honor your service and leverage your unique strengths.
Ready to embark on your next chapter? Dive in, and discover how your talents can make a difference in the Federal workforce. Together, you can build a future where your service continues to shape our nation.
If you’re looking to make a little extra cash, finding a product tester job might be a good option for you. It’s a cool way to not only make some money, but also to explore and engage with new products and brands.
In our comprehensive guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about product tester jobs, from the types of positions, how to get a job testing, and which companies offer these kinds of roles.
What Are Product Tester Jobs?
Product tester jobs are positions that allow people to get paid for testing a company’s products or services. If you like to work from home or are looking for a remote job, product tester jobs could be a good choice.
How to Use AI to Practice Interviewing for Product Tester Jobs
If the product tester job you’re interested in requires an interview, practicing interviewing is a great way to prepare. Leveraging an AI-powered tool like Yoodli makes this even easier.
Yoodli is an AI-powered interview coach that evaluates your interview skills to give actionable feedback you can use to improve. It’s a completely customizable experience which makes it one of the most realistic interview simulators out there.
Practice interviewing for your product tester job with Yoodli.
To start, choose a role and company to apply to. If you don’t have a specific company or role you’d like to practice for, you can leave these blank for a more generalized experience.
Then, select your AI interviewer’s personality. You can experiment with an AI interview who’s more friendly, reserved, or professional, among other options. Finally, you can pick specific interview questions you could get asked for product tester jobs so you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.
Yoodli can easily help you prepare for your next product tester job interview.
While you answer these interview questions, Yoodli analyzes how you answer. Based on your responses, this tool gives you not only metrics related to your speaking but also direct input you can use to elevate your interview skills.
Set yourself apart from the crowd with some dedicated practice for best results. Just be sure to use the STAR method while answering to make sure your responses are thorough.
Types of Product Tester Jobs
Product tester jobs are versatile in that there are tons of positions across a number of different industries and areas.
Here are five types of product tester jobs that could be right for you.
Accessibility product tester jobs
Accessibility testing is a type of product tester job that ensures the product is user-friendly and accessible for those with disabilities. Companies that prioritize DEIB often offer accessibility testing.
For example, if you work in this area, you’ll likely:
Use assistive devices (such as screen readers) to make sure the product is accessible and works as it should
Pinpoint obstacles that crop up
Offer up feedback to improve the product with the disabled community in mind
Beta testers
Another common product tester job is beta testing. Before products are released to the market, beta testers will evaluate them for any bugs, issues, or other problems. The goal for beta testers is to pinpoint these issues beforehand to improve the experience of users.
For those interested in beta testing, you should prepare to do tasks like:
Completing surveys about the product
Using the first version of the product to test it
Participating in feedback forums
Pinpointing and reporting issues
Usability product tester job
With usability product tester jobs, the focus is on how user-friendly the product or service is. The goals of usability testing include evaluating how easy (or difficult) it is to use a product and how simple it is to learn how to use it. Usability product testers also aim to get a better idea of how the user experience is for people using apps, hardware, websites, and software.
In this position, some of the responsibilities you could have include things like:
Checking out different prototypes for websites, apps, and various hardware and software
Giving direct feedback to the designers or creators
Pinpointing potential issues
Game testing
For some people, becoming a game tester is a dream come true. Game testing is a type of product tester job that attracts many creatives. Although it might seem endless fun, it’s more than just playing games.
The main objectives for game testing are to pinpoint any glitches or bugs and to make sure from a user perspective, that the game is fun to play.
As a game tester, you’ll probably do things like:
Experiment and play through the game’s levels to identify and report glitches, bugs, or other areas of concern
Offer your thoughts and feedback on aspects of the game, including the storyline
Be a participant in internal sessions for playthroughs and discussion
Quality assurance product tester jobs
Quality assurance product testers (also called QA product testers) evaluate the quality of a product. Their main job is to search for any mistakes, bugs, or defects in the product before the product officially launches. QA product testers often test hardware and software.
If you’re interested in a QA product tester job, be prepared to do things like:
Collaborate and work with developers to solve issues
Learn and follow regulations set by the developer
Pinpoint and report bugs and other problems
Use test cases
How to Score a Product Tester Job
The first step in getting a product tester job is deciding what areas you’d like to work in, be it video games, cosmetics, apparel or something else entirely. Once you’ve nailed down what you want to do, the next step is perfecting your resume and cover letter.
Make sure you include all of your relevant work experience and any special high income skills that might make you more of an asset as a product tester.
Networking is extremely important when looking to find a product tester job. Connections are everything. Start by seeking out professionals in the product testing industry and connecting with them. You can get advice and ask questions related to product testing that they might be able to answer.
A great place to start is LinkedIn, but you can also attend events, conferences, and even join online forums and groups.
Companies That Offer Product Tester Jobs
There are loads of companies and brands scouting for potential product tester job applicants. Usually, they hire on an “as needed” basis.
Here are some of the top companies that offer product tester jobs.
Amazon product tester jobs
Not surprisingly, Amazon product tester jobs are pretty common. To find one, look for Amazon reviewer websites. These sites are usually scouting for testers to test and review their products.
Amazon offers a service called “Amazon Vine,” which is an invitation-only product tester job. People who use Amazon often and leave thoughtful reviews on the site could be invited to be a “Vine Voice” — AKA, an Amazon product tester.
Product tester for Nike
To be a product tester for Nike, the process is very similar. You’ll start by applying to be a product tester for Nike. If you’re chosen to move forward, you’ll get a test packet and a product to test.
The job mainly entails the product tester testing the item and then sending Nike feedback via its website. Lastly, you return the product and the process starts all over again with a new item.
Other companies that offer product tester jobs
Besides Amazon and Nike, there are also other companies offering product tester jobs when needed.
Some of the most sought-after brands for product testing opportunities are:
Because product tester jobs are so desired, there are a lot of frequently asked questions surrounding this industry and the work that comes with it.
Here are the most common FAQs potential product testers have.
Is being a product tester legit?
Being a product tester is a legitimate job. However, there are tons of product tester jobs that are actually scams posing as product testing opportunities.
Always be wary of these types of scams. If the request for product testing has lots of typos and grammatical errors, it could be a scam. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Do product testers get paid?
Generally, yes, product testers get paid. However, that doesn’t mean all product testers across the board get paid.
Instead, companies and brands might offer compensation in ways besides a paycheck, including:
Gift cards
Free samples or “swag”
Points that can eventually be exchanged for money or products
Permission to keep the products they test
How much do online product testers make?
The amount of money you make as an online product tester depends. On average though, an online product tester makes about $37 per hour.
Still, keep in mind that product testers usually aren’t salaried employees, so this hourly rate will depend on how many jobs and products you’re testing.
Is product testing a good side hustle?
Yes, product testing is a great option for a side hustle. Although it’s not for everyone, plenty of people love the freedom that comes with product tester jobs and the new and exciting items they get to evaluate.
Can anyone become a product tester?
Anyone who wants to become a product tester can become one. There’s no special certifications, qualifications, or degrees a person needs to have to be able to score a product tester job.
Do product testers get free stuff?
Occasionally, product testers do get free samples and brand “swag.” Still, not every product tester will get free things.
Many product tester jobs require the tester to ship back the product after they’ve evaluated it instead of keeping it. It all depends on the company that hires you.
The Bottom Line
Product tester jobs are a hot commodity and finding an opportunity can be tricky. If you have any interest in product testing, definitely explore some of the types of jobs available.
If the product tester job you’re interested in requires an interview, just don’t forget to practice beforehand.
Although you can start learning a high income skill any time, choosing one or two skills you’re interested in learning more about this year is a great idea. Not only can it build your skill set, but it also sets you apart from other applicants in such a competitive job market.
We’ll give you an overview on some of the most common skill types and of course, the best 13 high income skills you should consider exploring.
Types of High Income Skills
There’s no one high income skill — in fact, there are tons of high income skills available for you to learn and experiment with. There’s so much variety in the types of skills you can learn. The possibilities are endless.
Here are some of the most common types of high income skills you can dive into.
Creative high income skills
If you’re more creative and intuitive, learning some creative high income skills might be worth your while.
Creative high income skills can be divided up into tons of subcategories to better select what could be a good fit for you.
For example, digital content creation is a huge industry, today more than ever. People who work in digital content need to be expert storytellers to captivate and engage audiences. People who fit into this category include music and film producers, animators, videographers, and photographers. Each of those categories require people to have a good grasp of personal branding, aesthetic, and user preferences.
Similarly, marketing and communications are both areas that require lots of creativity and originality. This includes things like content strategy, content marketing, copywriting, and public relations, which are all brand-heavy and rely on storytelling.
Some of the many creative high income skills you can pick up include things like:
Web design
Social media marketing
Content creation
Graphic design
Video editing
Content strategy
Copywriting
Editing
Although they’re more risky or lucrative creative high income skills, you can also take a deep dive into things like product design, teaching, coaching, and fine arts. Even though the success of these areas can vary wildly, networking and building a solid portfolio can help.
Technical high income skills
Perhaps the most common type of high income skills are technical. There are a great many industries that encompass technical skills, too.
For example, data-driven areas drive much of the need for technical knowledge. Both computer science and data science — especially learning programming languages — can put you a league ahead of others in terms of how valuable you are as a professional asset. Knowing how to use statistical analysis techniques, AI models, database and cloud platform technologies, and data pipelines can make you a better job applicant.
Other areas that have room for technical high income skills include cybersecurity. Having a solid working knowledge of cybersecurity can lead to interesting positions like threat intelligence analyst, security analyst, and cryptography engineer, among many others.
Software development is also hugely important, now more than ever. You could explore areas like mobile app development, development and operations, and full-stack development.
The most popular technical high income skills to learn include things like:
There are also some less common high income skills on the technical side of things if you want to stand out. These include cloud computing architecture, AR and VR development, blockchain development.
Managerial and business high income skills
Both managerial and business high income skills are not only versatile, but also perfect transferable skills no matter what industry you’re in. Knowing how to leverage your executive presence and be a leader is important in so many roles.
Leadership-related skills make up a large portion of managerial and business high income skills. Abilities like effective communication, conflict resolution, empowerment, and delegation are often underestimated in terms of importance.
Having a vision and being able to think strategically is key. It allows you to step into the shoes of a competitor and understand what they’re doing and why.
The analytical side of managerial and business high income skills also comes in handy. Financial analysis as well as financial modeling can give you the power to make better decisions for your brand or company. Using data to drive your decision making should be at the forefront.
Knowing how to negotiate — especially if you work in finance or marketing — is always useful.
A handful of the most common managerial and business high income skills include:
Project management
Effective communication
Negotiation
Competitive analysis
Business model development
Financial analysis
Leadership
Conflict resolution
Human resources management
Soft skills
Honing in on your soft skills and building that initial foundation is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Many people prioritize technical skills over soft skills, but the latter is just as important. Communication is at the forefront.
Some high income skills that fit into this category include things like:
Adaptability
Effective communication
Critical thinking
Time management
Active and empathetic listening
Persuasion
Collaboration
Emotional intelligence
Emerging high income skills
The most in demand high income skills are constantly evolving and changing. In particular, AI and machine learning are both in the limelight. Knowing how to use generative AI is one example of a high income skill in emergence. Automation, robotics, and explainable AI (XAI) all offer a foundation of knowledge that yields high income skills.
There are tons of other notable skills that can set you apart from others that are still in their earliest stages. For example, some other emerging high income skills fall into areas such as:
Digital transformation
Blockchain development
Climate change solutions
Edge computing
Change management
Data storytelling
Metaverse development and design
Genomics and biotechnology
Corporate social and sustainability responsibility
Data analysis with privacy preservation
Cybersecurity and ethical hacking
NFT monetization and management
How to Use AI to Practice Some High Income Skills
You can use AI to practice high income skills through communication technology tools like Yoodli.
Yoodli is an AI-powered public speaking coach that analyzes your speaking patterns and speech to provide data and actionable insights you can use to improve. It’s perfect for practicing soft skills like effective communication.
You can practice high income skills like effective communication with Yoodli.
For example, if you want to practice high income skills like effective communication, try Yoodli’s conversation simulator. You can customize the experience by choosing an AI conversation partner (and its personality) as well as a topic. It uses generative AI to provide thoughtful, realistic conversation based on your speech.
If you want to improve a high income skill like communication, Yoodli is a great tool.
After your simulated conversation, you’ll receive a detailed report of all your speaking metrics, such as:
Because Yoodli acts as a coach, it’ll give you individualized tips and tricks to improve your skills. For example, if you happen to use lots of fillers, it might recommend that you slow down your speaking pace or implement a few natural pauses while you’re talking.
You can get started for free and download the app right to your desktop for ease of use.
Top 13 High Income Skills to Explore
Although knowing the types is a great first step, it can help to take a closer look at some of those technical, creative, managerial, business, and soft skills in depth. You’ll be better able to identify which skills you might be most interested in.
Here are the top 13 high income skills you should consider learning about, from the most popular skills to more niche skills.
1. Cybersecurity
It should come as no surprise that cybersecurity is a very valuable high income skill to explore. This skill can encompass many smaller skills, but the general goal is protecting data and systems from cyber threats and attacks.
Cybersecurity can include areas like security analytics, including how to conduct penetration testing and incident response, how to understand vulnerability assessment, and how to safeguard infrastructure. People value protecting confidential information, especially as the world continues to become interconnected online.
If you delve into cybersecurity, you might also be analyzing threats and threat intelligence by tracking potential threats. Understanding the common cyberattack methods and implementing proactive defenses is a huge part of the skill and what makes it so valuable.
You don’t have to be a cryptography engineer to pick up some cybersecurity skills either. Some of the most common elements you can start with include things like:
Basic network security concepts
Software updates
Online safety basics
Operating systems and how they differ
User account management
Password security
2. Data analysis
Even though data analysis isn’t a new field, it’s still considered a high income skill in virtually any industry. Data foundation is a great place to start.
Chances are, you have some understanding of statistics, whether that’s from a high school class, a book you read, or just wondering what the class average was for a test at some point. Data analysis marries tools like statistics with data visualization and analysis to make informed predictions.
If you’re interested in data analysis, you could consider reading up on:
Different data types
Data storytelling
Coding basics
Statistics concepts, like inferential and descriptive statistics
Data visualization tools like charts and graphs
Data manipulation through programming
3. Storytelling
In a nutshell, storytelling is the ability to capture an audience’s attention and convey a message through narratives. It’s an extremely transferable skill since you can use this in any job, whether you’re a journalist, a data scientist, or a tour guide.
There are many modes of storytelling that you could explore. Some of the most common avenues include:
Copywriting
Editing
Podcasting
Graphic design
Scriptwriting
Journalism
Photography
Videography
With storytelling, you can experiment with different platforms and practice using your voice and narrative to influence audiences. If you want to explore this high income skill, you can start by diving into narrative structure and how that can affect your message.
Aspects like character development aren’t just important for fiction authors. Character development is another area you can explore even in areas like public relations, videography, photography, podcasting, and almost any other storytelling area.
4. User experience (UX)
Like AI, user experience (UX) is also in its infancy, but it’s more important than ever. Tailoring your content to the user determines its success and this applies to many areas.
This high income skill requires you to have a basic understanding of users. Audience research is a great place to start. You can create user personas to better understand your target audience, for example. Tracking interactions can also be helpful for painting a broader picture.
Usually, both web design and user interface are naturally entwined with user experience. Whatever your product or service is, it needs to be usable, accessible, and intuitive.
It’s also important to go into user experience with a problem-solving approach and a good attitude. It can be a frustrating field sometimes, but it’s a worthwhile skill to explore.
5. Surgical robotics
Surgical robotics isn’t a high income skill that you can learn overnight. This skill is mostly helpful for those in the medical field, particularly in surgery.
To be successful in surgical robotics, you’d need a strong foundation of knowledge regarding human anatomy, physiology, robotics, computer science, and medical technology.
Once you have that foundation to build off of, you can delve into fascinating subjects like robotic manipulation, surgical robotics platforms, simulation training, and of course, robotics safety.
With this skill, you’ll have to constantly monitor the field for any advancements coming down the pike. It requires adaptability and lifelong learning, both soft skills that come in handy here.
6. Digital marketing
Sales and marketing have both experienced a shift to the digital world in some way, shape, or form. As such, digital marketing is a great high income skill to learn.
Start by building your knowledge of what the digital landscape looks like, especially when it comes to marketing basics. The digital marketing ecosystem — composed of elements like social media, email marketing, and search engines — is constantly evolving.
In a similar vein, having a working knowledge of SEO is incredibly helpful when it comes to this high income skill. You’ll be able to make better informed decisions and ensure your marketing captivates your target audience.
Other skills that might come in handy include things like:
Keyword analysis and research
A/B testing
Content creation
Web analytics tools
Paid advertising platforms expertise
Data reporting, interpretation, and visualization
Social media content strategy
7. Quantum computing
Like surgical robotics, quantum computing is another high income skill that you won’t be able to pick up in a day’s time. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: quantum computing is complex and difficult to learn. Still, that’s part of what makes it so valuable.
To start, you need a solid understanding of not just quantum mechanics, but also computer science, discrete mathematics, and linear algebra.
From there, you can move on to quantum programming languages like Stancil or Quil and frameworks to implement quantum algorithms. For example, it can help at this stage to refresh your knowledge of:
Grover’s algorithm
Shore’s algorithm
How quantum machine learning works
Also like surgical robotics, the field of quantum computing is constantly seeing breakthroughs and updated knowledge that you’ll need to keep up with.
8. Telemedicine
If you work in the field of medicine, telemedicine is an emerging high income skill still in its earliest stages. It’s definitely worth putting in the time to get comfortable with this concept and skill.
If you’re in med school or you’re in the healthcare industry, chances are, you’ve already worked in telemedicine. Mobile apps, virtual visits, and digital health records are all examples.
In a nutshell, you need to understand how you can best apply your clinical practice and medical knowledge in a digital setting. This could include learning different virtual exams and check-up techniques and relationship-building when you’re not in the same room as your patient.
Because technology is central to telemedicine, people working on developing this high income skill should be comfortable working with various platforms and technology. This includes how HIPAA applies to this type of setting. These ethical and legal considerations continue to evolve.
9. Project management
Project management is an often underrated high income skill that goes overlooked. However, knowing how to manage your time and tasks is invaluable. A good start is understanding the project lifecycle and how to measure the scope of the tasks involved.
Some of the key elements of project management are collaboration and communication. Knowing how to actively listen, provide valuable feedback, and problem solve are all essential.
Other microskills you need to be an expert in project management include things like:
Risk assessment and management
Data analysis
Financial (or material) assessment and management
Human resource (HR) management
10. Bioprinting
As one of the most complex high income skills on our list, this isn’t for everyone. Bioprinting — a brilliant marriage between biology and 3D printing — is an emerging field with promising implications.
If you’re interested in this skill, starting with the fundamental knowledge is non-negotiable. Start studying things like 3D printing technologies and methods, tissue engineering, cell biology, biolinks, and biomaterials. It’s a lot to chew, but they’re all required areas for background knowledge if you want to hone this high income skill.
From there, you can learn about more bioprinting-specific subjects, like the processes and methods, equipment, systems, and computer-aided design (CAD) for bioprinting.
Aspects like cell differentiation and biofabrication, cell culture methods, and biocompatibility testing are also crucial to understanding bioprinting.
11. Digital content creation
One of the fastest growing high income skills is digital content creation: content optimized for a digital space.When you think of content, you might first think of the story-telling element. But content strategy is half the battle when you’re creating content online. That’s why it’s so important to know your audience.
Of course, you’ll also want to sharpen your writing and editing skills if you want to perfect this high income skill. Other areas you should explore include:
Video production and editing
A/B testing
SEO and copywriting
Social media content strategy
Virtual design
Web analytics
Podcasting and audio production
Social media marketing
All of these elements can help give you the tools you need to succeed in the digital content space.
12. Software development
Although it might sound like an overwhelming high income skill to learn, software development is very doable. It’s a really exciting field to delve into.
If you’re interested in software development, a great place to start would be programming basics. That includes things like:
Programming principles, like variables, loops, functions, data types, conditionals, and algorithms
Code structure and syntax, including syntax rules and coding in your programming language(s) of choice
After you’ve got a foundation, you can dive into the problem-solving skills you’ll need. Algorithmic thinking is essential for folks in software development.
13. Cloud computing
Knowing about cloud computing is not only a high income skill, but also an emerging field that has plenty of opportunity. Starting to learn about cloud computing requires a solid foundation of how the cloud landscape works.
To begin, you should have a thorough understanding of cloud deployment models, cloud service models, and the current cloud providers. From there, you can explore the different cloud technologies to learn more about storage, networking, and visualization tech.
Other areas you’ll need to know about include compliance and security and programming, since there are cloud-specific tools.
The Bottom Line
Taking the time to learn a high income skill or two going into 2024 is a great personal and professional investment. Plus, you don’t need to overwhelm yourself trying to break into a new area like quantum computing. You can instead focus your energy on improving or learning a few new soft skills. The world is your oyster when it comes to high income skills.
Whether you’re looking to earn some extra cash during the weekends or you just want a change of pace, night shift jobs can be a solution. Although they’re not for everyone, plenty of people enjoy and even prefer working nights as opposed to daytime hours.
Our guide on night shift jobs will give you an overview on this type of work, including what industries are often hiring, how to prep, types of positions you might prefer, and tips for working a successful graveyard shift.
What’s a Night Shift Job?
In general, a night shift job is a type of job where people work overnight. There are tons of other names for night shift jobs, such as:
Graveyard shift
Evening shift
Third shift
Closing shift
Midnight shift
Businesses offer night shift hours to extend their service beyond the typical 8 hours most companies are open for.
Industries that offer night shift jobs
There are lots of industries that offer night shift jobs, especially in the healthcare industry. Healthcare in particular is a critical service that needs to function at all hours.
Other industries that offer night shift jobs include:
Retail
Travel services, like airlines and hotels
Customer support
Hospitality services
Security
Long-term care
Food service
Journalism and news
Manufacturing and utilities
Emergency services
How many hours are night shift jobs?
The amount of hours night shift jobs offer can vary. The starting and ending times for a night shift job depends on the type of job and how long the business is open.
For example, if the business is open 24/7, the hours of the night shift could be from 10 p.m. to anywhere from 6 to 8 a.m. It also just depends on the employer’s preference and needs.
If it’s not a 24/7 business, the night shift will just refer to the “later” shift, whenever that may be.
What are most night shift hours?
Most night shift hours begin in between 10 p.m. and midnight and end somewhere from 6 to 8 a.m. As mentioned above, this can totally depend on both the industry and the employer.
What percent of America works the night shift?
About 7.4% of the working population — around 11 million adults — work the night shift often. Working night shift jobs is more common among men and people of color, as well as younger age groups, the largest being those between 18 and 29 years old.
How to Use AI to Practice Interviewing for Night Shift Jobs
If you’re interested in scoring a night shift job, one of your first steps to prepare is practicing interviewing. For the most realistic practice interview experience, try an interview simulator like Yoodli.
Yoodli is an AI-powered interview coach that evaluates your speaking patterns and speech as you answer practice interview questions. It then provides a report of your individualized metrics and makes data-backed recommendations to improve.
Whenever you’re ready to start interviewing for night shift jobs, give this AI interview coach a try.
You can get started for free any time. This app is also available to download to your desktop, too. Here’s how it works.
The interview flow is totally customizable, meaning you can tailor it to your specific needs. For example, if you want to practice company-specific questions (like Walmart interview questions) or industry-specific questions (such as content marketing interview questions), you can easily do so.
You can enter the position title of the role you applied for and the company for specifics, or you can leave that as general. You’ll also be able to change the “personality” of the interviewer so you can get the most realistic experience.
If you’re interested in exploring night shift jobs, this is a great way to prepare.
Types of Night Shift Jobs
One of the best things about night shift jobs is that they’re so versatile. No matter what type of work you’re interested in, there’s plenty of opportunity.
Here are some of the most common types of night shift jobs to explore.
Healthcare night shift jobs
One of the biggest industries for night shift jobs is the healthcare system. Healthcare settings like hospitals, mental health facilities, and long-term care require people working around the clock.
For example, some of the most common healthcare night shift jobs include positions like:
Nurses
Lab techs
EMTs
Paramedics
Pharmacists
Certified nursing assistants
Long-term care aides
Crisis hotline workers
Retail overnight jobs
It’s also really common to work the graveyard shift when you’re in the retail industry. Places like groceries, casinos, convenience stores, online shops, and entertainment venues usually have late night shifts.
Some of the most common positions include jobs like:
Cashiers or clerks
Security guards
Stockers
Warehouse workers
Bartenders and other servers
Manufacturing and utilities
The manufacturing and utilities industries also offer lots of night shift jobs for people looking to work overnight. Places like power plants and factories are often open late at night, if not 24/7.
People who work in transportation also work at night often. People like train conductors and truck drivers have responsibilities that lead to them working late.
Other late-night manufacturing positions include roles like:
Assembly line workers
Maintenance technicians
Plant operators
Dispatchers
Shipping and receiving personnel
Machine operators
Quality control inspectors
Customer service
Similar to other industries, people are constantly in need of customer service. That’s why 24/7 customer service lines have become so popular.
For example, call centers are often open for 24 hours a day. People like sales reps, customer service reps, and technical support specialists are on call at all hours.
Other types of customer service night shift jobs include positions like:
Hotel or motel front desk agents, housekeeping staff, and security guards
Delivery service warehouse workers and drivers
Airport and airline staff, baggage handlers, security, ground crew, and ticket agents
Night shift jobs in professional services
The professional services industry also offers these types of night shift hours. People who work in broadcasting, media, and journalism often work late thanks to the 24/7 news cycle. Other areas in this industry include software development and IT, finance, accounting, and law enforcement.
Those interested in working night shift jobs in professional services have tons of options, such as:
Radio DJs
Broadcast news anchors
Network admins
Programmers
Night auditors
Investment analysts
Police officers
Firefighters
TV producers
Editors and other journalists
Cybersecurity specialists
Web developers
Security guards
Paramedics
Part-time night shift jobs
Many industries also offer part-time night shift jobs. Part-time positions allow you to build on your existing skills and boost your income without having to commit to a full-time role.
Part-time night shift jobs are available in most, if not all, of the industries and areas listed above. Specifically, you might have better luck finding a part-time night shift job in roles like:
Pharmacy technician (in healthcare settings or places like CVS Health)
Emergency medical dispatcher
Nursing assistant
Social media moderator
Customer service rep
Virtual assistant
Cashier
Delivery food driver
Instacart shopper
Creative freelance work can be another worthy part-time night shift job option, since you can work during the night at your own hours. For example, freelance writing, editing, graphic design, and pottery are all different paths that allow you to express your creativity while also diversifying your income.
Work from home night shift jobs
Although they’re tricky to find, there are work from home night shift jobs that exist. In general, your best bet is likely freelance work, since many freelance work options allow you to work remotely on your own time.
Other options for work from home night shift jobs include positions like:
Graphic designer
Software tester
Virtual assistant
Social media moderator
Customer service representative
Data analyst
Interpreter or translator
Warehouse night shift jobs
One of the most popular types of night shift jobs are warehouse night shift jobs. These include a variety of positions in warehouse settings.
People who work warehouse night shift jobs usually have roles that fall into one or more of the following areas:
Providing maintenance and support, such as janitorial work, machinery maintenance, and loading and unloading trucks
Working directly with products, like packing items, quality control, forklift operation, etc.
Supervising or managing, such as managing inventory or a team of people
Warehouse night shift jobs also offer advantages like opportunities for promotion.
Benefits of Night Shift Jobs
There are definitely some unique benefits to night shift jobs that make them stand out from day shift positions. Some of the most notable benefits of night shift jobs include:
Financial advantages, including pay
General flexibility
Opportunities for growth and development
Financial advantages
Working night shift jobs has financial advantages, even beyond wages. However, pay is a big motivator when it comes to this type of work. The biggest advantage is the premium pay, since the majority of companies offer higher hourly pay for those working the graveyard shift. This increase in pay is usually tied to the fact that people who work the night shift have the inconvenience of a disrupted sleep schedule.
The other notable financial advantage comes from the fact that there’s not as much competition for night shift jobs. Because later shift positions often result in less candidates, you have a better chance of getting an offer. At the same, you’ll be more likely to progress faster in terms of your career advancement since there’s less competition.
Flexibility of night shift jobs
There’s also a flexibility to night shift jobs which can translate to an improved work-life balance. For example, when you work the later hours, your weekdays are now free. Although you’ll likely spend much of the weekday sleeping, you still have “extra” time to run errands while the rest of the world is at work.
If you consider yourself a night owl, finding a good night shift job can actually benefit your energy levels and sleep quality, since you can adjust to your natural circadian rhythm. Plus, working night shifts — which are generally less crowded, quieter, and more relaxed — can make it easier to focus and be productive. Chances are, you won’t be constantly interrupted while doing your work like you could be at a daytime job with lots of coworkers.
Growth and development opportunities
As mentioned above, because night shift jobs are less common, there’s less competition from applicants and colleagues alike. You’ll have more opportunities for growth and development, and can often progress faster in your career.
You’ll also grow in your skills and capabilities, as you’ll learn new things working a night shift job. For example, working independently, being self-motivated, and being adaptable are all great skills present in graveyard shift positions.
There’s also an enhanced sense of camaraderie among night shift job workers, as working together at night fosters community in a different way than in a day shift job. You’re more likely to bond with your coworkers and lean on them for support.
Challenges of Night Shift Jobs
That’s not to say that there’s no drawback to night shift jobs. There are a few challenges and other things to consider before picking up a new role. Here are some of the downsides you should keep in mind.
Sleep disruption
Perhaps the most obvious drawback of scoring a night shift job is the disruption to your sleep cycle. Everyone has a natural circadian rhythm and working late can disturb your usual cycle. This can lead to feeling tired during the day and having trouble falling asleep.
The long term effects of getting less quality sleep include conditions like:
Depression
Stroke
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Obesity and overweight
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Another factor of working a night shift job that affects your sleep quality is working under artificial light. When you’re working at night under artificial light, these conditions can slow your body’s production of melatonin, which only makes things worse.
Potential safety concerns
There are also some potential safety concerns to consider. One of the main dangers to look out for is the increase in accidents during night shift jobs. In part, being sleep deprived and feeling tired can affect your reaction time and judgment, which can lead to accidents. Although accidents can happen during daytime shifts too, they’re more common at night shift jobs.
Although it’s not true in every case, working night hours can put you more at risk for violence or being mugged. This is more of a concern if you work alone.
Lastly, it can be tough finding a safe way to get to work if you can’t drive yourself or don’t have a vehicle. The options for public transportations are extremely limited during the late hours of the night in many places, even if you live in a larger city.
Other challenges of night shift jobs
Some of the other challenges of working night shift jobs that you might want to consider include the isolation factor of working late hours. For example, you might not be able to spend as much time with your friends and family members if you typically work at night and sleep during the day.
You might also have trouble with daytime fatigue. After working all night, it’s only natural to feel tired after your shift. This can become problematic when you want to run errands or spend time with other people during the day.
It can be more difficult to stay productive, too. Many people feel drained and as a result, are unproductive, especially when it comes to the things they like to do for fun.
Why is a night shift so hard?
A night shift can be difficult for many people. For people who have always worked daytime hours and sleep at night, it can be hard adjusting to a completely opposite schedule. Not only can it be difficult adjusting sleep-wise, but also socially. You’ll need to put in dedicated time to spending time with friends and family — perhaps on the weekend — since they’ll likely be working while you’re sleeping and vice versa.
This “reversed” schedule can also lead to more stress, which makes working night shift jobs even more tough.
Are night shifts unhealthy?
Many people are quick to say night shifts are unhealthy, but health encompasses many aspects of your life. It’s true that there are some health drawbacks when it comes to night shift jobs, such as an increased risk of:
Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
Insomnia
Sleep deprivation
Digestive problems
Chronic health conditions
However, it’s complicated because everyone is different. Working a night shift job can affect people on varying levels based on their work environment, genetic makeup, overall health, and lifestyle.
6 Tips for Working Night Shift Jobs
Because night shift jobs have their advantages and disadvantages, some people have trouble deciding whether or not it’s worth it. If you’re curious about habits that can potentially improve your time working the graveyard shift, you’re in good company
Here are the six best tips for working night shift jobs.
1. Experiment with meal planning.
One of the aforementioned risks to working night shift jobs is experiencing digestive issues. That’s because people who work at night don’t always eat regular meals and if they do, they’re not always on a regular meal schedule. Because there’s such a lack of food options during the graveyard shift, it can be hard for people to find healthful, nutritious meals.
However, meal planning can help with this. Try packing your lunches for the week on Sunday or morning morning. That way, they’ll be in the fridge ready for you when you leave for work. You won’t have to try to find open restaurants or drive-thrus.
Some quick and easy meal plan ideas that are perfect for meal prep include options like:
Sandwiches and wraps with a main protein, veggies, and a condiment, sauce, or dressing
Pasta salad with veggies and a dressing
Protein bowls with a central protein, veggies, rice, and a dressing of your choice
Salads, like Mason-jar salads or more hearty salads made with quinoa
You can also prepare breakfast items to take with you on your commute to your night shift drive, like overnight oats, frozen breakfast sandwiches, or wraps you can warm up before you go.
It’s a good idea to pack some snacks as well, just in case. Healthful snack options could include things like:
Roasted seaweed
Hard-boiled eggs
Granola bars
Mixed nuts
Hummus and veggies
Be sure to stay hydrated, too. Using a reusable water bottle can make all the difference.
2. Continue to be active.
Even though it can be harder when you have a night shift job, try to stay physically active. About 30 minutes per day during the weekdays and weekends is perfect. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean going on a run or going to the gym either. You can be active by doing things like:
Stretching
Yoga
Gardening
Walking up and down stairs at work
Household chores like vacuuming or laundry
Going on a short walk on your break, before work, or after work
Remember to also soak up as much vitamin D as you can. Once you’re up and moving for your night shift job, try to go outside for a brief walk to get some sunlight. It’ll not only boost your move, but it can help maintain your sleep cycle.
3. Boost your sleep quality.
Sleep is even more important to consider when working a night shift job. The most critical thing to focus on is your sleep quality. If you don’t get good sleep, there are tons of tips to improve the quality.
It’s essential to stay on a schedule, even if you work late at night. If you typically sleep during the day and work tonight, be consistent. Try not to switch up your routine throughout the week. This can work wonders for your circadian rhythm.
As part of your schedule, make sure you have a solid bedtime routine. Instead of scrolling on your phone before bed, try to incorporate some more relaxing tasks, such as:
Reading a book
Listening to calming music
Taking a hot bath
On top of that, make sure your bedroom is a sanctuary for sleep by giving it a makeover. The goal is to have a cool, dark, quiet environment in which you can sleep peacefully. If daytime noises keep you awake, try earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. You can also install blackout curtains to block any light that might disrupt your sleep.
Try to steer clear of any stimulants, even while at work. Experts recommend putting a limit on how much alcohol and caffeine you drink since both can affect the quality of your sleep.
5. Don’t lose contact with friends (stay social).
Many people often underestimate the importance of staying social when you have a night shift job. It can be tempting to let relationships fall by the wayside when you work at night and sleep during the day, but try not to let this happen.
Instead, open up to your friends and family about what your work schedule looks like. That way, everyone can plan events and activities during the hours you’re awake. You can also schedule activities on the days that you don’t work to get some quality time with your loved ones.
You can also use communication technology and other types of tech to stay connected to friends and family. For example, texting, calling, and video calling are all good options to stay in touch.
Don’t forget to set boundaries, either. It can be difficult to say no to activities and events — especially ones you’ve already committed to. However, if it’s affecting your sleep quality or you’ve had a long day at work, it’s totally OK to say no.
6. Enhance your work environment.
If possible, try to optimize your work environment. Not everyone has the ability to do this as there are tons of different workplace settings, but even making a few tiny changes can improve your work life.
For example, if you can, change up the lighting. The best option for people who work night shift jobs is dim, warm light. Make sure your work space isn’t cluttered, either. Make sure it’s a clean, organized area so you can better focus.
Even if you can’t really adjust your work environment, you can still take control in other ways. For example, remember to take breaks every so often. It’s not a good idea to try to “power through” a night shift without any breaks. It’s essential to routinely stretch and walk around.
Go ahead and plan and prioritize your tasks for the night, too. This helps you from feeling overwhelmed and allows you to set more realistic goals.
Lastly, chatting and building relationships with coworkers can improve your experience working a night shift job exponentially. It boosts your sense of community, makes the shift more fun, and improves teamwork and collaboration on the job.
How long should you sleep if you work overnight?
The amount of sleep you should get if you work overnight will depend on a person-to-person basis. Generally speaking, most people should aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep during the day if they work during the night. For example, you could sleep anywhere between around 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending on when your shift starts.
However, research has shown that others function just as well on about 6 hours of sleep. The main thing to keep in mind is consistency. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Night Shift Jobs FAQs
If you’re considering taking on a night shift job, it’s only natural for you to have questions. Liek with any decision, it’s important to do some research beforehand to make sure working a graveyard shift is right for you.
Here are some of the most common FAQs around night shift jobs.
Are nurses allowed to sleep on night shift jobs?
When it comes to nurses being allowed to sleep on night shift jobs, it’ll depend on the employer’s expectations and regulations. In some healthcare settings, nurses are allowed to sleep during night shifts to take a power nap. In other facilities, healthcare workers like nurses aren’t allowed to sleep.
If you’re a nurse looking to boost your energy with a nap, don’t sleep more than half an hour — otherwise, you might feel sluggish after waking up.
How does working the night shift affect the brain?
The main way working a night shift job affects your brain is through your circadian rhythm. This natural sleep rhythm — which dictates your sleep cycle and affects your quality of sleep — can be disrupted by working a night shift job.
Aside from throwing off your sleep cycle, working later night shift hours can also affect your brain through long-term, chronic conditions like depression and even dementia. However, working nights doesn’t mean you’ll get depression or dementia; studies have only identified an association between working nights and various chronic conditions.
Why are night shifts called graveyard shifts?
The reason night shifts are often referred to as “graveyard shifts” dates back to the late 1800s. Although many people believe the phrase literally refers to working in a cemetery or graveyard, this isn’t true. The real reason we hear night shifts called graveyard shifts is because workers found working at night to be still and quiet in an almost eerie way.
The Main Takeaway
At the end of the day, it’s a good idea to write a 2 weeks’ notice when leaving your current position. Just make sure you practice giving your notice beforehand and have a new job lined up before you announce your departure.
When you leave your job, it’s typical to put in your 2 weeks’ notice to give your employer time to prepare to find a replacement. However, if you’ve never written one before (or if it’s been awhile since you changed jobs), it can be a bit tricky to start that first draft.
We’ll walk you through how to write a 2 weeks’ notice, how to practice it, templates to follow, and answer some commonly asked questions on the subject so you know what to expect.
What Is a 2 Weeks’ Notice?
A 2 weeks’ notice is essentially a heads-up to your supervisor that you’ll be moving on to another employment opportunity in 2 weeks. A 2 weeks’ notice usually comes in the form of an email, a short letter, or a verbal notice of your resignation. Even if you give your notice verbally, you’ll still want to have something in writing for your records and your employer’s.
This will not only inform your employer that you’ll be leaving the company, but also when your last day is.
Is a 2 weeks’ notice 10 days or 14 days?
A 2 weeks’ notice refers to two working weeks — AKA, 10 business days. Although 2 weeks is usually 14 days, business days don’t include the weekends.
Even though giving a 2 weeks’ notice implies that you’ll be leaving after 10 days, you can include the date of your actual last day so there’s no room for confusion.
Is it better to give 2 or 3 weeks’ notice?
For most employers, a 2 weeks’ notice gives them plenty of time to prepare for your departure. However, if you have an especially close relationship with the company or your supervisor, you can always opt for a 3 weeks’ notice instead. Just know that this isn’t required. It’s totally up to your discretion.
Can your boss fire you for giving 2 weeks’ notice?
Some people worry that when they put in their 2 weeks, their boss will retaliate by firing them. Unfortunately, this is always a possibility. Your boss can fire you for giving your 2 weeks’ notice if they want to. That’s because your employer can fire you as they see fit.
Employers who fire their employee after they gave their supervisor their notice might do so for a variety of reasons. For example, the employer might feel offended by the employee’s decision to leave the company.
Still, this usually isn’t the case when you give your boss your 2 weeks’ notice.
Can a workplace deny your 2 weeks’ notice?
A workplace can deny your 2 weeks’ notice by “refusing” to accept it. However, you have the power in this scenario.
If you give your notice and your employer doesn’t “accept” it, it doesn’t matter. This type of notice is a courtesy, so if your boss tries to reject it, you still don’t have to work past your intended last day. Your employer could fire you as a way to “reject” your notice, but as mentioned above, this isn’t the most likely scenario.
Does a 2 weeks’ notice have to be written?
Although you usually give your 2 weeks’ notice verbally, you should still have it in writing. That way, you and your employer both have a record to refer back to. For example, if your supervisor forgot what date your intended last day was, they can refer back to your email or written letter.
How to Use AI to Practice Giving Your 2 Weeks’ Notice
One of the most overlooked aspects of giving your 2 weeks’ notice is actually practicing it. Although some people write an email, many prefer to give their notice in person. If you’re planning to give a verbal 2 weeks’ notice, here’s how you can use AI to practice.
You can start by downloading and exploring Yoodli, an AI-powered conversation coach that analyzes your speech to provide data-backed suggestions for improvement. Yoodli is free to start, meaning you’ll be able to use the tool without having to pay for a subscription.
This conversation coach can make sure you’re not only prepared to give your 2 weeks’ notice, but also that you’re feeling confident to do so. It’s one of the most realistic ways to practice giving your notice as it’s a completely customizable experience.
It’s always a good idea to practice giving your 2 weeks’ notice beforehand.
For example, you can choose the topic — in this case, giving your 2 weeks’ notice — along with the intended recipient. For this scenario, it would likely be your boss, your employer, or your manager. Then, choose their personality. This is especially helpful as everyone has their own distinct personality. Your boss might be the friendliest person on the planet, or maybe they’re more reserved. Whatever it may be, having the ability to curate your conversation coach to resemble your actual manager makes it all the more realistic.
Once you have your preferred conversation coach settings all situated, you can begin the simulation to practice giving your 2 weeks’ notice.
The AI conversation coach will use generative AI to listen to your notice and ask intelligent follow-up questions and responses.
At the end of your conversation, you’ll receive an analytics report with metrics related to your speech, such as your speaking pace, word choice, body language, and filler word usage. Yoodli also provides actionable feedback and tips that you can use to make sure you’re comfortable and ready to give your notice.
Using the Yoodli AI conversation coach, you can practice giving your 2 weeks’ notice.
How to Write a 2 Weeks’ Notice
Whatever your reasons for leaving a job are, once you’ve made up your mind, it’s time to start drafting your notice. Here’s how to write a 2 weeks’ notice in three easy steps.
1. Decide when you’d like your last day to be.
The first step in writing any 2 weeks’ notice is deciding when your last day will be. If you want your notice to be exactly 2 weeks, calculate 10 business days out from the current date.
Depending on your relationship with your boss or the company, circumstances could affect what day you choose. For example, if it’s during a major event or during an extra busy period, you might want to postpone giving your notice.
Another factor that could affect when you’d like your last day to be is whether or not you’ve locked in your new job. You might want to wait until you’ve signed your new contract or at least verbally accepted your new position before giving your 2 weeks’ notice.
Still, since this type of notice is just a courtesy to your employer, you can decide exactly what date you’d like to be your last day at work.
2. Choose what format you’d prefer.
Although you’ll most likely tell your boss in person that you’ll be putting in your 2 weeks, you should still plan to have it in writing, too. The format you choose can affect how you write your 2 weeks’ notice.
For example, the most popular formats are email and brief letter formats. Email is the most common form. Letters are typically seen as more formal, so it’s up to you what feels best.
3. Write a draft using a 2 weeks’ notice template.
Once you’ve hammered out all the details, it’s time to write your 2 weeks’ notice. These types of notices usually have three to four components: an introduction, a statement of gratitude, a statement about the transition, and a closing.
The introduction is where you’ll tell your employer that you intend to leave the company. You can also give your boss an exact date as to when your last day will be.
Following this, most people like to express gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with the company and coworkers. You can personalize this aspect by highlighting a few specific positive experiences you had while working there.
You can also mention that you’re willing to help with the transition, whatever that may look like. For example, you could offer to train your replacement if that’s a realistic responsibility for you.
When closing, you can again thank your employer for the opportunity to have worked with them and express any willingness to keep in touch if that’s something you’d like.
You create your draft by using a 2 weeks’ notice template. We’ve provided a few examples below.
2 Weeks’ Notice Template
A 2 weeks’ notice template can help you better organize your thoughts and intent, as opposed to starting from scratch. Here are a couple of templates to experiment with and facilitate the writing process.
A casual 2 weeks’ notice template
If you have a more casual relationship with your boss (or if you’re just looking for a more informal template), this 2 weeks’ notice template might be best. Here’s what that might look like:
Email subject line: Resignation Notice
Hi [your boss’ name],
I hope my email finds you well! I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be resigning from my role as [your position title] at [where you work]. My last day will be [the date you’d like to be your last day].
I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to work with you and the team at [where you work]. Your constant support and guidance is so appreciated and I’ll look back on my time at [where you work] with fond memories.
If there’s anything I can do to help with the transition, let me know. I’m more than happy to help train my replacement or document my position responsibilities for them. Just let me know if there’s anything in particular that you’d like me to do.
Thank you again for all you’ve done for me at [where you work].
Best always,
[Your name]
A more formal 2 weeks’ notice template
If you’re looking for a more formal template, that’s OK too. This 2 weeks’ notice template can be customized for email or in the form of a short letter. It’s totally up to you. It could look something like:
Email subject line: Resignation Notice
Dear [your boss’ name],
I hope my email finds you well. I would like to formally submit my resignation as [your position] at [where you work], effective [your ideal last day].
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked at [where you work] and to have grown both professionally and personally.
During my final two weeks, please let me know if you would like me to do anything to help facilitate the transition. Rest assured, all my tasks and current projects will be wrapped up by [the date of your last day].
Thank you again for understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
What Happens If You Don’t Give a 2 Weeks’ Notice?
Even though a it’s is pretty standard across all industries, many people wonder what would happen if you don’t give a 2 weeks’ notice. Many people who work in a toxic work environment for example are less motivated to give this type of notice.
Although it’s standard, it’s not usually required, unless it’s written into your contract. However, not giving a 2 weeks’ notice could have consequences.
For example, not giving a notice could:
Damage your reputation in the industry
Cause your coworkers to resent you
Make it more difficult to get a job
Have financial consequences, like withheld pay
Ruin professional relationships
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you give a 2 weeks’ notice.
Can I quit without notice?
Technically, yes, you can quit without notice (depending on your contract). However, it’s usually not recommended. That’s because it can be considered “burning bridges,” as the employer will likely not be recommending you for any future positions. On top of that, you won’t be able to use that employer as a reference.
Even if you’ve made up your mind and plan on quitting without notice, double check your contract before you do. If your contract requires you to give an official 2 weeks’ notice, quitting without formally doing so could result in legal trouble, like a lawsuit.
Is it OK if I give a 1 week notice?
Yes, giving a 1 week notice is acceptable. Remember that a 2 weeks’ notice is a courtesy to your employer (unless your contract requires it). That means it’s up to you how much notice you’d like to give them.
With shorter notices, that gives your boss less time to prepare to fill your position after you leave. It could inconvenience your coworkers too, which could cause them to resent you.
If you want to continue a professional relationship or use your employer as a reference, it’s best to give the full 2 weeks’ notice.
Can I leave before my 2 weeks’ notice is up?
Technically speaking, you can leave before your 2 weeks’ notice is up (as long as there’s no contractual obligations). However, making this decision usually comes with consequences.
When you leave before your 2 weeks is up, this could also be considered “burning bridges,” as you won’t be able to use that employer as a reference. Your coworkers will likely have to pick up any slack and complete your tasks until your employer finds a replacement.
Leaving before your 2 weeks is up might also damage your professional reputation.
The Main Takeaway
At the end of the day, it’s a good idea to write a 2 weeks’ notice when leaving your current position. Just make sure you practice giving your notice beforehand and have a new job lined up before you announce your departure.
One of the most effective, efficient frameworks for answering interview questions is the STAR method. It’s a tried-and-true way to structure your responses to give your interviewer the best idea of what your skills and abilities look like in a real-world scenario.
In our how-to guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the STAR method, including how to use it, how to practice it, helpful tips, and even STAR method examples that can help illustrate what this technique looks like.
What Is the STAR Method?
The STAR method is a framework for answering interview questions in a more structured manner. STAR is an acronym for situation, task, action, and result. When answering behavioral interview questions, the goal is to describe the specifics of the situation through those four aspects.
Situation
To start, think about the overall situation you faced or the goal you needed to achieve in the moment. That’s the situation. It could be a past job experience or another relevant situation to the question asked.
One pitfall that people often find themselves making is being too vague or general. Describing the situation should include specific details. Keep in mind that because the interviewer was not there during the situation, they don’t have the necessary details and context to understand. That’s why it’s so important to provide those extra details.
Just be sure not to ramble or give non-essential information.
Task
The task refers to what you aimed to achieve during the situation. It can also include your responsibility, objective, or the challenge you faced during the situation. The goal of the task is to bridge the gap between the original situation you described and how you went about working to achieve the objective.
When thinking about the task aspect of the STAR method, make sure you specifically call out what the issue, challenge, or problem was. This is also a good time to describe your exact role or responsibility in the situation so the interviewer can have a better understanding of how you were involved.
Action
In the STAR method, the action refers to the various steps you took when facing the situation. The goal of the action is to highlight your initiative and problem-solving skills.
Be sure to explain not just what you did, but also why and how you did it. This can give the interviewer some context around your thought process. You’ll also want to be specific and describe the various actions as opposed to just your thoughts on the matter.
The action element of the STAR method is also a good place to emphasize your skills and abilities you were able to leverage during the situation. You might mention specific skills like:
Analytical skills
Problem-solving abilities
Effective communication
It’s also helpful if you can quantify your actions with specific numbers. For example, think of any metrics or data you could include that might help show how successful the actions you took were.
Result
The result element of the STAR method encompasses the outcome or result of your actions. This isn’t the time to be shy or modest — instead, explain to the interviewer why your skills and actions led to successfully tackling the situation.
This is a great place to emphasize how your actions had a positive effect on the situation. Here, you can detail how you made a difference.
Like with the action element, quantifying your results is also especially helpful. For example, you could mention metrics or data like:
Boosted customer satisfaction
Decreased costs
Improved employee retention rates
More revenue
Don’t forget to connect the result back to the situation at the end of your response. Be sure to emphasize how your actions directly addressed the task or challenge of the situation.
How to Use the STAR Method
Using the STAR method is as easy as following the four elements of the acronym: situation, task, action, and result.
Start with the context. In a concise manner, lay out the situation you faced for the interviewer. Usually, it’ll be a task, problem, or a challenge you or a team needed to solve. This helps not only give the interviewer an overview of the situation, but also introduces your role.
Describe the actual task you were faced with. For example, it could help to ask yourself what you were trying to overcome or accomplish. This is the time to explain what role you were responsible for, including your tasks or responsibilities.
Tell the interviewer about what steps you took to address the situation. For example, what decisions did you make? Highlight any important skills and abilities you used when facing the task. Be sure to use lots of action words when providing the specific details of the actions.
Finally, explain the results of your actions. You can highlight your positive effect on the situation, including your achievements and accomplishments. Just remember to tie the results back to the initial situation you described so that it comes full circle.
How to Practice the STAR Method
Once you’re familiar with the overall goal and elements of the STAR method, it’s time to practice. Although you can certainly practice in real time during your next interview, it’s worth it to put in some practice beforehand. One of the best ways to practice using the STAR method to answer interview questions is through Yoodli.
Yoodli is an online communication coach that allows users to participate in a realistic interview simulation where they can practice answering questions in an interview setting. It’s a completely customizable experience, meaning you can tailor the simulation to your needs.
You can use Yoodli to practice using the STAR method when answering interview questions.
You can choose interview questions directly out of Yoodli’s interview question bank or you can input your own specific questions. You might want to practice company-specific (like KFC interview questions) or industry-specific queries, like content marketing interview questions.
Users can also tailor the tone of the interview to their needs. For example, in this case, using the behavioral setting for the tone might be especially helpful.
But Yoodli goes way beyond just simulating an interview. It also thoroughly analyzes your STAR method responses with AI. It’ll quantify your responses to include data and metrics about how you answered each question.
The analytics Yoodli provides can help improve how you use the STAR method.
These analytics include things like:
Your filler word usage
How repetitive your answers were
Your word choice
Your conciseness, among other metrics
Using these insights, you can see exactly what you need to work on when practicing the STAR method.
4 Tips for Using the STAR Method
Once you understand the gist of the STAR method and are ready to put it into practice, you’re halfway there. Here are four easy tips for practicing the STAR method.
1. Hone in on the behavioral aspect.
Instead of simply telling the interviewer how you felt or your opinions on the situation, focus on the behavior. In other words, emphasize the steps you took and your actions. Be sure to use lots of “action” words and phrases, such as:
Identified
Streamlined
Tasked with or responsible for
Evaluated or analyzed
Assessed
Overcome or mitigated
Implemented or established
Optimized
Collaborated
2. Use data and metrics.
Quantifying your actions when using the STAR method is one of the easiest tips to take your responses to the next level. Using metrics and data can help illustrate how impactful and effective your actions were.
For example, if you work on optimizing content and 89% of the blogs you optimized for SEO moved up to the top 10 places in Google search, that can better demonstrate how effective your actions were.
3. Use lots of details to help the interviewer visualize it better.
Since the interviewer wasn’t physically there with you, it can be difficult for them to picture the situation when you’re using the STAR method. To combat this, use lots of vivid details to help them visualize it.
Using sensory language — language that appeals to the five senses of sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch — is a great way to do so. You don’t have to go overboard with the descriptions, but using these types of details can elevate your STAR method interview response.
4. Practice, practice, practice.
Perhaps the most important tip for using the STAR method is to practice before you use it in an interview. Practicing not only helps you understand the framework of answering interview questions better, but it’ll also boost your confidence.
When you’re confident, your responses to interview questions will be more thorough. Your delivery can improve with practice, too.
STAR Method Examples
Sometimes, it’s easier to understand a framework like the STAR method when you have a few actual examples to look at.
Here are three hypothetical STAR method examples to better illustrate how this method can structure your own responses.
Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure or a tight deadline.
With this STAR method example, you could break down your response to look something like this:
Situation: When I was working at another major tech company, I was conducting a routine inspection when I uncovered a potential but significant security issue within our company’s database. I was then tasked to solve this issue under a very tight deadline and intense pressure due to the gravity of the situation.
Task: It was my responsibility to not only evaluate the significance of this potential security threat, but also to create a mitigation plan and communicate that effectively to the stakeholders involved without causing them undue worry and panic.
Action: I was able to successfully evaluate the issue and assess what type of impact it could have. I quickly researched and brainstormed solutions to create a plan to address the issue. Using my communication skills, I was able to effectively present my solutions to the IT team to address the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Result: Thanks to my quick thinking, I successfully identified and solved a potential serious security threat before any damage had occurred. The solution I suggested was implemented and later during the week, I was recognized by my manager and the rest of the team for my initiative and quick thinking.
Give me an example of a time where you had to work as a team.
For this STAR method example, you structure your response to be something along the lines of:
Situation: At my previous job, my colleagues and I were tasked with ideating and creating 20 new pieces of content to attract a Gen Z audience. However, one of our main obstacles we faced was conflicting ideas.
Task: I was the leader of our team and quickly realized I needed to not only address the main issue but also bring my colleagues together so that we could function as a team.
Action: To do this, I set up an ideation and brainstorming session where we could not only discuss and address the conflicting ideas, but also encourage open communication and collaboration. Once we began talking together, I was able to help the team pinpoint a solid direction and topic ideation for the 20 pieces of content we needed. Each person came to the table with ideas and I helped narrow down the pitches so that everyone felt comfortable taking a few on.
Result: I was glad I was able to step up to the plate and offer up leadership, guidance, and support to make sure our team was as effective as it could be. Because of our open communication and ongoing discussion, we did end up with more than 20 content ideas in our repository that we were then able to deliver to the client. What’s more, the client ended up coming back to my team for more content ideation projects because we were able to succeed their expectations.
Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult or upset customer.
With this last STAR method example, you can respond to the prompt with something like:
Situation: When I worked in retail, I once had an interaction with a very angry customer. Unfortunately, an item they had ordered online had been delayed by weeks and they were understandably upset and frustrated.
Task: It was my responsibility to not only listen to their concerns, but also to calm them down and come to a solution that could reinstill their faith in our service.
Action: I began by actively listening to their concerns and acknowledging their frustration. Of course, I also apologize for the inconvenience they experienced and again, validated their frustration. I assured them that I was there to help and would find a solution. When I began looking into their order, I was able to identify an external shipping issue that led to a delay in the customer receiving their product. I relayed that to the customer and instead of stopping there, I also provided them with a few options, such as a free replacement, a discount on their next purchase, and expedited shipping.
Result: Although the customer was extremely upset at the beginning of our conversation, I was able to use my effective communication skills to express my apologies for the inconvenience and offer viable solutions. Not only was I able to provide them with a variety of solutions, but also was able to satisfy a customer. The same customer later reached out to the store manager to commend my customer service and communication skills, which just goes to show how effective communication and customer care can make all the difference.
4 Benefits of Using the STAR Method
There are tons of benefits to using the STAR method in interviews. For example, one major advantage lies in that it allows for a more comprehensive response to interview questions.
Here are just four benefits of using the STAR method to answer interview questions.
1. The STAR method offers an easy framework to follow.
The STAR method is a tried-and-true way to answer interview questions. It has an easy framework to follow and allows candidates to effectively structure their response to behavioral interview questions.
Because there are four elements to this method, you can ensure you’ll have an effective answer every time if you follow the framework. Although your answers change question to question, the structure allows for some helpful stability.
2. You can better quantify and illustrate your accomplishments.
When answering interview questions, it can be difficult sometimes to quantify and illustrate your achievements in a “natural” sounding way. The STAR method provides multiple opportunities to introduce data and metrics to your response to better demonstrate the impact you had on the situation.
Quantifying your accomplishments comes naturally when you use the STAR method, making it one of its greatest benefits.
3. The STAR method helps put your skills at the forefront.
It’s essential to sell yourself during an interview, especially with regard to your skills and abilities. Luckily, the STAR method puts these skills at the forefront in the most natural way.
Illustrating your capabilities is already baked into the STAR method, making your answers to interview questions sound structured without sounding monotone. In each element of this method, you have an opportunity to highlight your best, most impressive skills, especially with the action and result elements.
4. You can make a better impression on your interviewer.
When you use the STAR method during an interview, chances are, you’ll make a better impression on your interviewer. Implementing a positive impression during an interview is extremely important.
During the interview process, you’re usually up against multiple other qualified candidates, and using such a dignified framework like the STAR method can set you apart from other applicants. It can also make you more memorable as a candidate.
Common Mistakes When Using the STAR Method
Although the STAR method is a generally simple, effective way to answer interview questions, there are still a few pitfalls you could face if you’re new to using this method.
For example, one of the most common mistakes people make when using the STAR method is focusing too much on the overall situation. Even though the situation is an important part of your response, it’s not the only element. Don’t forget your actions and results when answering questions from interviewers.
One of the best things about this method is that there’s plenty of opportunity to provide detail and paint a picture for the interviewer. However, many people have a tendency to use vague, general language and often don’t include many specific details. Luckily, this is an easy mistake to avoid. Just keep in mind that the goal is to provide the interviewer with the necessary context (and details) to understand the gravity of the situation and more importantly, the role you played.
Still, there’s such a thing as too much detail. Giving the interviewer too much information is also a common mistake when using the STAR method. Details are great but you don’t want to ramble or go on a monologue. Plus, most interviews have a time limit of some sort, and you want to make sure you’re able to answer all the questions the interviewer has for you.
Whatever you do, never make up or exaggerate your accomplishments. It’s always important to be honest during interviews, and that includes your achievements. Always plan to be genuine, especially when you’re using the STAR method to answer questions and show the interviewer that you’re the best candidate for the position.
The Bottom Line
Using the STAR method is one of the most effective ways to answer interview questions, especially situational or behavioral questions.
Putting in a little practice with this method can boost your confidence during interviews while also giving you another tool in your arsenal to set you apart from other candidates.
Salesforce is one of the most competitive major tech companies you can apply for. If you’ve scored an interview, it’s time to get familiar with some common Salesforce interview questions.
We’ll give you the overview of everything you should know about the Salesforce interview, from the hiring process to how to prepare and what questions you should practice beforehand.
An Overview of the Salesforce Interview Process
The Salesforce interview process is much like any other interview process. Still, there are certain questions that may stick out that you’d like to know about, like how many interview rounds there might be.
Here’s everything you need to know about the interview process at Salesforce, from the difficulty of the interviews to the acceptance rate.
Is it hard to get hired by Salesforce?
It depends. It’s not exactly easy to get hired by Salesforce because of the competition. It’s a competitive company but it’s a worthy opportunity to pursue.
One of the main factors is how many people applied to the role. It’s much harder to score a position at Salesforce if 131 people applied versus just a few applicants for another role.
How many rounds of interviews are there at Salesforce?
Although the number of rounds of interviews at Salesforce can depend on many factors, usually, applicants report about six or seven interviews. The main aspects of Salesforce’s interview process include the original phone screening with a recruiter, an interview with the hiring manager, and a team or panel interview.
Sometimes the process involves take-home technical challenges or a design round. It totally depends on what role you’re shooting for. Regardless, be sure to wear business casual and dress to impress for your interview.
How long is the Salesforce interview process?
The Salesforce interview process can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to months. Usually, most people report the process only lasting a few weeks at most.
If you’re applying for a more high-level position, the interview process will likely be longer and more comprehensive.
Unfortunately, there’s no solid data on an acceptance rate for Salesforce. However, the competition among applicants who want jobs at major tech companies is fierce. It’s a competitive environment to begin with but can vary based on the position.
Does Salesforce drug test?
No, Salesforce does not drug test. Although the policy can always change, typically, applicants and employees report that they were not drug tested.
How to Nail the Salesforce Interview Questions
If you’re worried about answering your upcoming Salesforce interview questions, putting in some practice and prep work can do wonders for your confidence.
Here are four easy ways you put your mind at ease and boost your chances of nailing the Salesforce interview questions.
1. Research Salesforce (and the position you applied for).
Taking the time to research Salesforce, as well as the position you applied for, is well worth the effort.
To start, be sure that you understand the roles and responsibility of the role you applied for, including the title of the role. The interviewer will expect you to know what job you applied for, but some candidates disregard that information as they think the interviewer will give them an overview of the position during the interview (which isn’t always the case).
Read more about the history of Salesforce. This can help you understand more about why the company was founded and specifically, how its signature customer relationship management (CRM) system was created. Not only does this type of information give you a better foundation to work off of during your interview, but it can also boost your confidence.
Be sure to understand the products and services Salesforce offers as well, particularly its cloud-based CRM software. To get a better idea of what the company offers its customers, check out some of the product demos for a clearer visualization.
Other specific information — such as what companies use Salesforce — can be helpful to bring up in your interview as well, if it’s relevant. Having a foundation of information and details like that can make you seem like a more appealing candidate to the interviewer. It shows that you took the time to take a deep dive into its products and services because you’re passionate about the position.
2. Review and practice answering common Salesforce interview questions for practice.
Practicing Salesforce interview questions beforehand is possibly the single most important way you can prepare. Although every interview is different, many interviewers use similar or even the same questions amongst candidates. Once you’re ready to start practicing, Yoodli is an option you’ll want to explore..
Yoodli — a virtual speech and communication coach — offers a sophisticated interview simulation for job seekers to use. Aside from your actual interview, this simulation is the most realistic method for practicing Salesforce interview questions.
Salesforce interview questions are easy to practice with this interview simulator.
You can make a free Yoodli account and download the app right to your computer for ease of use. Once you have your account, the options for practicing are limitless. That’s because of how customizable Yoodli’s interview simulation is. You can change not only the questions the simulator will ask you but also the tone of the interview. This adds to the practicality of Yoodli as an interview prep tool.
Still, Yoodli does more than just ask Salesforce interview questions. This communication technology tool also asks users intelligent follow-up questions with generative AI based on a user’s response to the previously asked question.
Once you’re done with the interview simulation, you’ll receive detailed analytics and information with regard to how you answered the questions. For example, you can learn more about your word choice, how many filler words you used, how fast you spoke, and even how loud you sound.
Using these insights, Yoodli gives users an intimate look at what they can improve on with actionable feedback. For example, if your answer came off a bit vague, Yoodli can give you specific ways you can build off your original answer, such as providing more details about your work experience.
These AI-backed suggestions for improvement cna take your answers to Salesforce interview questions to the next level.
3. Brush up on your technical skills.
Before your Salesforce interview, plan to brush up on your technical skills if it’s applicable to the role you applied for. For example, review skills like Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL), Lightning Web Components (LWC), Apex, and Visualforce.
You should also be ready for any automation or data security concepts. You can take a deep dive into the best practices and security features Salesforce relies on for workflow automation, for example.
Online coding challenges can help you use your technical skills in “real world” situations. You can test your skills and figure out what exactly you need to work on most. For example, Salesforce Trailhead hosts lots of unique challenges to take advantage of.
4. Hone in on your behavioral skills.
One aspect candidates sometimes overlook are their behavioral skills. These are the skills needed to successfully answer Salesforce interview questions.
For example, understanding and implementing the STAR method to structure your responses can put you a step ahead of other applicants. It can help you hone in on the best way to answer a query so that you don’t accidentally ramble.
Behavioral skills include both communication and leadership capabilities, so be sure to highlight any past work experience that can inform your potential work with Salesforce. It can be helpful to brainstorm and think of a few times where you worked in a leadership role, took initiative, or used your communication skills.
Both teamwork and problem-solving skills are relevant to many Salesforce interview questions. To give the interviewer a better understanding of your skillset, you can mention examples where you worked effectively as part of a team.
Salesforce Interview Questions
No matter what position you applied for, practicing Salesforce interview questions should be at the top of your prep list.
Try practicing some of the most common Salesforce interview questions, including queries like:
What motivated you to apply to Salesforce?
Tell me about your long-term career goals. How would working at Salesforce help you reach those goals?
Given sensitive data, how would you go about configuring sharing rules to limit or restrict access to that data?
Let’s say a customer aims to optimize their sales process. How would you begin to analyze the process they currently rely on to come up with a solution? What Salesforce tools would you use?
If a client was having trouble with a new Salesforce feature, how would you assist them?
Tell me about a time when you stepped up to the plate and used your leadership abilities to complete a task.
Explain how you would create a dashboard in Salesforce to track important sales metrics.
When you’re approaching a complicated issue, what’s your thought process look like?
Using the SOAP API, how would you integrate an external system with Salesforce?
Let’s say you were tasked with retrieving any opportunities from the last quarter that amount to more than $15,000. How would you write an SOQL query to do that?
Describe the relationship between opportunities, contacts, and accounts in Salesforce.
Salesforce interview questions and answers
It can help to understand how you should respond to these types of queries, too. Below are a few Salesforce interview questions and answers to guide your practice:
Let’s say a customer expresses their frustration with regard to how their Salesforce instance is performing. How would you handle it? An appropriate answer to this question could be something like: “I’d start by acknowledging the customer’s frustrations and validating them. Then, I’d take a look at the Salesforce instance to pinpoint any issues. By communicating and collaborating with the customer, I’m confident we could brainstorm how to prioritize solutions and updates.”
Why do you want to work at Salesforce? You could answer this question with a response like: “I’ve always been interested in Salesforce and the CRM industry as a whole. I’m particularly excited about the company’s mission of supporting customers and continuing to improve its products and services. I think I’d fit right into the work culture as I believe in its company values as well.”
Explain the difference between a standard object and a custom object in Salesforce. With a technical question like this one, you can provide a straightforward answer like: “A custom object is created by the user and can be used to meet the user’s specific needs since it can be customized to the company’s requirements. On the other hand, standard objects are pre-built, meaning the fields are predefined.”
Salesforce developer interview questions
If you’re applying for a developer role, it might be helpful to practice more specific Salesforce developer interview questions. Check out the below queries and do your best to answer them:
How would you explain dynamic Apex to someone without a background in Apex?
Tell me about your familiarity with roll-up summary fields.
When performing dynamic SOQL, how should you go about securing it?
What are Sharing Rules and how should we aim to enforce them within our Apex code?
Explain the Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS).
Give me an example of when and why we would use Aura components over Lightning Web Components.
Explain how an external system can integrate into Salesforce.
How do you go about debugging Apex code?
Tell me how and why we would use an interface.
What are Apex Triggers and are some scenarios where you would use them?
Explain what kinds of Salesforce-supported development tools exist.
Salesforce admin interview questions
If you’re aiming for a more administrative role, putting a little effort into answering some common Salesforce admin interview questions can be especially helpful. These questions usually fall into categories like:
Data security
Process automation
Data management
AppExchange
User interface
Some key questions to practice answering include queries such as:
List and explain custom metadata examples and why they’re used.
Explain the difference between a Lightning page and a page layout.
How are dashboards and reports used?
Give me an overview on the various types of Sandboxes that exist.
How would you explain the difference between unmanaged and managed packages?
What’s an Experience Cloud? Why is it used?
With regard to process automation, describe an approval process.
What’s a junction object?
Explain the various types of fields and why it’s important for the field type to match the data.
What’s a permission set?
Salesforce interview questions on integration
You might also want to prepare for Salesforce interview questions on integration. If that’s a goal of yours, be sure to brush up on your basic integration knowledge. In the meantime, check out some of the most relevant queries, including:
What kinds of Integration options does Salesforce offer?
What are the OAuth2.0 Authorization flows you’d see in Salesforce?
How would you describe Web Services Description Language (WSDL) in plain language?
What’s the main difference between Partner WSDL and Enterprise WSDL?
In Salesforce, what are the various types of Integration patterns that exist?
How would you describe web service flow?
Tell me what you know about OpenID Connect.
Salesforce testing interview questions
In particular, Salesforce testing interview questions can be tricky. If you’d like to prepare for these types of tester-specific queries, practice answering some of the below questions:
How would you explain the difference between Salesforce Classic and Salesforce Lightning?
Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve experienced during your testing of integrations with Salesforce Community Cloud and other apps.
For Salesforce testing, what tools would you recommend using?
With a multi-tenant architecture like Salesforce uses, how do you approach testing?
If you wanted to test Salesforce mobile responsiveness, how would you go about it? Talk me through your process.
What are governor limits? Why are they used?
Give me some examples of testing tools you’d suggest in Salesforce.
The Key Takeaway
You should feel proud if you’ve scored an interview with Salesforce. It’s a competitive environment and an innovative company to work for.
Taking the time to prepare is well worth it, and practicing Salesforce interview questions is the best way to do so.
If you have an interview coming up, you’ll definitely want to practice some Procter & Gamble interview questions beforehand to prepare.
Our guide will give you helpful pointers on what the process is like, how exactly to prepare, the most common P&G interview questions you could be asked, and popular FAQs about the company and the process.
The Procter & Gamble Interview Process 101
Procter & Gamble employs tens of thousands of staffers in a variety of positions. If you’ve scored an interview with P&G, you’re in good company.
To get more familiar with Procter & Gamble’s interview process, we’ll go over everything you should know, including what the interviews are like, how long they last, and whether or not you could be drug tested for the position.
Is the P&G interview hard?
It depends. Most people report that the P&G interview isn’t difficult, but it’s also not easy.
For example, on Glassdoor, people rate the Procter & Gamble interview with a 3.33 out of 5 difficulty rating, where 1 is the easiest level of difficulty and 5 is the most difficult.
How many rounds of interviews are there at Procter & Gamble?
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll then need to complete the Procter & Gamble assessment, which comes before any rounds of interviews. If you pass that assessment, then you’ll move onto the interview portion of the P&G interview process.
There are two types of Procter & Gamble interviews: one-on-one interviews and panel interviews. These could be virtual — either online or over the phone — or in person, depending on your location and the position you applied for. The majority of people who’ve applied to and interviewed with P&G report about three rounds of interviews.
How long does a P&G interview last?
Most Procter & Gamble interviews last about 45 to 60 minutes, although your interview could run shorter or longer.
There aren’t any strict time limits, so if your interviewer covers all the questions they wanted to ask you, your conversation could end earlier. On the flip side, you might have some questions for the interviewer, which could lead to the interview running longer. It depends on a case-by-case basis.
What’s the acceptance rate for Procter & Gamble?
The acceptance rate for Procter & Gamble is low, coming in at about 1%. This low acceptance rate confirms the need for applicants to bring their best to the interview.
It’s also a prime example of why practicing Procter & Gamble interview questions can be the difference between you getting the job or losing the opportunity.
How long does it take for P&G to get back to you?
The amount of time it takes for Procter & Gamble to get back to you after interviewing can vary greatly. Some applicants can receive a job offer letter as soon as a week later. But for others, the time it takes to hear back from P&G can be much longer.
The factors that can influence how long it takes to hear back from P&G include aspects like:
How many people applied
What role you applied for
Where the position is located
The level of urgency to fill the job listing
Does Procter & Gamble drug test?
Yes, Procter & Gamble does drug test. Although it’s not the same across the board, employees at P&G have reported both urine and hair drug testing.
The drug test is baked into Procter & Gamble’s employment screening process. Still, this isn’t a guarantee you’ll need to complete a drug test, but it’s more likely than not, according to employees.
How You Should Prepare for Procter & Gamble Interview Questions
Preparing for your interview — particularly the Procter & Gamble interview questions — just takes a little bit of time and effort.
Here are four simple ways you can get ready for your upcoming interview.
1. Set aside time to take a deep dive into Procter & Gamble’s history.
Procter & Gamble is a consumer goods company with a rich, 186-year-old history. Although many applicants don’t consider taking the time to research the company, it should be a key element of your preparation plan.
Start by exploring the website. Here, you can see some of the most important information you need to build your foundation of knowledge of P&G. You can learn more about the company’s story and its current efforts and campaigns. You can also take a look at the company’s impact on a community level and its commitment to DEIB and sustainability.
Be familiar with P&G’s brands, too. The company has multiple well-known brands, from Pampers to Gain and Tide to Tampax, Febreeze and Mr. Clean MagicEraser. You can even see P&G’s most notable brand campaigns, such as Always’ 2015 #LikeAGirl initiative or the 2012 Olympics’ “Thank You, Mom” campaign.
2. Run through a few Procter & Gamble interview questions for practice.
Every interview is different, no matter what company you interview with. Still, businesses often ask candidates the same or similar questions while trying to find the best applicant. That’s why practicing a few Procter & Gamble interview questions before your actual interview is key.
Once you’ve applied for a position at P&G, it’s time to start practicing. One of the easiest ways to do this is through Yoodli.
Yoodli is a communication coach that also exists as an online interview simulation. It’s the most realistic way to practice Procter & Gamble interview questions, since you can not only tailor the tone of the interviewer but also the questions asked. Here’s how it works.
Before your upcoming interview, be sure to use Yoodli to practice Procter & Gamble interview questions.
You’ll start by making a free Yoodli account (you can also download the app directly to your desktop). Once you have an account, you can access its free interview simulator and choose which kinds of questions you want to practice. For example, you can pick some pre-existing questions from Yoodli’s question bank, or you can input your own specific queries, like Procter & Gamble interview questions. You can then change the tone of the interview from serious to friendly to behavioral, if you’d like to focus on behavioral interview questions.
But Yoodli goes way beyond just helping you run through P&G interview questions. This tool uses artificial intelligence to analyze your response to the question. Its in-depth analysis will give you data regarding your responses, including your speaking rate, word choice, filler word usage, and even how loud you’re speaking, among other insights.
That’s exactly what sets Yoodli apart from practicing with a friend or in front of a mirror — Yoodli uses these metrics to provide data-backed suggestions for improvement.
You can then use this personalized, actionable feedback to make sure your answers to Procter & Gamble interview questions are the best they can be.
3. Work on your storytelling and communication skills.
One thing that candidates often overlook when practicing Procter & Gamble interview questions is their storytelling and communication skills. With a company like P&G, you need to be exceptionally skilled at using your communication skills to respond to the interviewer.
To boost your storytelling and effective communication abilities, be sure to pay attention to how you respond to these practice Procter & Gamble interview questions. Make sure you’re able to thoroughly answer the question in the most concise, cohesive way (Yoodli can help with that, too). You’ll also want to make sure your active listening skills are up to par.
Storytelling skills aren’t usually the first thing you’d think of when prepping for an interview. However, being able to speak in an engaging, clear way is key to your success in a P&G interview. You want to be able to discuss your achievements and past experience in a compelling, interesting way. To do this, try practicing some storytelling methods — such as using the STAR method, using vivid language, and focusing on the impact — when you respond to Procter & Gamble interview questions.
4. Get to the interview early (and dress professionally).
It’s never a good look to show up to an interview late, and that includes both in-person and online interviews. Be sure to show up about 10 minutes early to an in-person interview. That way, if you’re running late, you have a little bit of cushion. In the best case, you arrive early ready to interview.
For virtual interviews, don’t join the online meeting link until a minute or so before your scheduled time. Although you might be tempted to enter the meeting room earlier, say 10 minutes before your scheduled meeting, hiring managers sometimes use the same meeting link for every candidate. In other words, there’s a chance you could interrupt someone else’s interview by joining early.
If you do happen to be running late, whether it’s an in-person or virtual interview, definitely give someone a heads-up. You can contact the person who set up the interview or the interviewer themselves to let them know.
Be sure when you interview, you’re dressed professionally. It’s a good idea to plan to wear business casual attire. The options are vast and can vary depending on your personal style. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your chosen fit.
Procter & Gamble Interview Questions
Although not every position at Procter & Gamble requires the same questions, there’s definitely a common thread as to what candidates will be asked.
Here are the 24 most critical Procter & Gamble interview questions to practice, including queries straight from P&G’s career center:
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your career goals?
Let’s say Procter & Gamble is thinking about entering the market for a new product. How would you begin to evaluate this market potential and ideate a plan for P&G’s new efforts?
Consider one of Procter & Gamble’s core brands, such as Pampers. If this brand saw a sharp decline in sales, how would you begin to both analyze the situation and create a plan to counter this drop in sales?
If you had a conflict with a team member, what would you do?
Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complicated concept to someone outside your industry without using any jargon. How did you go about it?
If a client expressed their dissatisfaction with one of our products, how would you respond to not only validate their concern but also regain the customer’s trust?
What do you think your biggest career accomplishment is? What did you learn from it?
Tell me about a time when you worked well as part of a team. What did you do and how did you ensure the team’s goal was met?
If you were given a project that proved especially difficult, how would you make sure it was successful?
Give me an example of a time where you went above and beyond to help a client or coworker.
Describe your leadership style in a few words.
Why do you want to work for Procter & Gamble?
Let’s say one of Procter & Gamble’s products needs a new marketing campaign. How would you begin to plan out a new campaign?
Tell me about a time when you created something new.
Imagine you come across either an ethical or legal dilemma during work. What would you do?
Expanding into new markets is something P&G is known for. If you were tasked with figuring out how to expand into a new market that has different cultural expectations, how would you plan to adapt your approach to this new market?
Let’s say there’s a critical product launch but you’re faced with a production delay. How would you handle this situation?
Give me an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision while under considerable pressure. What was the situation? How did you address it?
Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult client or coworker. How did you go about it?
Here are a few role-specific Procter & Gamble interview questions you might consider practicing, depending on which position you applied for:
Supply chain specialists: Let’s say Procter & Gamble wanted to improve the efficiency of its supply chain while also cutting costs. How would you create a plan to do so?
Scientists: Tell me more about your experience conducting research. How do you think your experience and skills can benefit the development and research efforts of Procter & Gamble.
Brand managers: How would you begin if asked to evaluate a competitor’s content and marketing strategy to create a counter-strategy for one of our brands?
Engineers: If asked to come up with a solution to address a certain technical challenge in your field, what are the first steps you would take?
Procter & Gamble Interview FAQs
Because Procter & Gamble is such a large, well-known company, there are many frequently asked questions floating around regarding everything from the company’s reputation to the P&G assessment.
Here are the most common Procter & Gamble FAQs.
Does P&G look good on a resume?
Yes! Procter & Gamble is a nearly 200-year-old company encompassing tons of famous brands. Having experience with P&G on your resume is certainly a plus.
What’s a good score on the P&G assessment?
There’s not one “good” score to shoot for with the P&G assessment. That’s because there isn’t one P&G assessment, but four main tests: P&G PEAK performance test and three common P&G interactive assessments. These interactive tests include assessments known as the Grid Challenge, the Digit Challenge, and the Switch Challenge.
Because the assessments are so different from one another, there’s not a good score to aim for. Which tests you’ll need to take also depends on the position.
What percentage of people pass the P&G assessment?
The percentage of people who pass the Procter & Gamble assessment depends. Generally speaking though, these tests filter out about 50% to 80% of applicants. This percentage highlights how competitive the process is, regardless of whether or not the interviews are particularly difficult.
What happens if you fail the P&G assessment?
If you fail the Procter & Gamble assessment, you won’t move on in the P&G interview process. These tests are meant to weed out candidates.
However, failing the P&G assessment also means you won’t be able to apply for a job with this company for 12 months after the date you took your exam.
What does P&G look for in a candidate?
There are plenty of valuable skills and abilities that P&G looks for in a candidate. The interview process aims to evaluate your background, including your educational background, and your past work experience. Procter & Gamble also wants to gauge your interest in the job and your compatibility compared to other candidates.
Some of the most important skills that could benefit you in a P&G role include:
Effective communication
Leadership skills
Adaptability
Innovation and creativity
The Key Takeaway
If you scored a Procter & Gamble interview, that’s already half the battle. To secure your position at this competitive company, be sure to practice as many P&G interview questions as you can.
Practicing answering a few Cisco interview questions before your actual interview is a great way prep for the upcoming conversation.
If you have a Cisco interview coming up, you’re in good hands. Ourcomprehensive guide will walk you through the entire Cisco interview process, including what that looks like, easy ways to prep, the most common interview questions, and popular Cisco FAQs to consider.
Everything You Should Know About the Cisco Interview Process
Interviewing with Cisco Systems can be different for every applicant, but there are definitely some common threads among interviews.
Here’s everything you should know about the Cisco interview process, including everything from the number of interview rounds to expect and whether or not you’ll be drug tested.
Is it hard to get hired by Cisco?
Yes, it can be difficult to get hired by Cisco. It’s a very competitive tech company that only considers the best of the best for each position. The application process itself can be demanding as there are multiple components to juggle.
How many rounds are there in a Cisco interview?
The number of rounds of Cisco interviews depends on the position. Usually, the process begins with a screening with a recruiter. Next, you might have a first-round interview with the hiring manager.
If you’re selected to move forward, you’ll have a second round of interviews that could include anywhere from two to four interviews. This round could also include technical and panel interviews.
Depending on what position you applied for, you could also have live coding challenges that use virtual whiteboards so that you can problem solve out loud.
All in all, you can expect three to six interviews, not including the recruiter screening at the beginning of the interview process.
How long does it take to hear back from Cisco after an interview?
Like the number of interview rounds you could complete, the amount of time it takes to hear back from Cisco after an interview depends. However, most people report hearing back about 1 to 2 weeks after their interview.
How long does Cisco take to hire?
It usually takes a few months for Cisco to hire. Most people report that the Cisco interview process, including the hiring process, takes around 2 to 3 months. Many people say it only took them a month total to get hired by Cisco.
What skills do you need to get a job at Cisco?
There isn’t a specific skill set you need to get a job at Cisco, but there are definitely some skills that can benefit you as a candidate. Three critical attributes you should shoot for include strong communication skills, problem-solving skills, and analytical skills.
Keep in mind that the specific skills you need to get a job at Cisco can depend on the job. The skills you would need as a hardware engineer might be different from the skills you’d need as a sales manager.
Does Cisco drug test?
No, Cisco doesn’t drug test. Current and former employees report they weren’t drug tested as part of the onboarding process. It’s still a drug-free workplace, though.
During your time at Cisco however, if you work with a federal customer, there’s a chance you could be asked to take a drug test.
Preparing for Cisco Interview Questions: 4 Easy Ways
If you have a Cisco interview coming up, you should definitely start preparing. Luckily, putting in some interview prep work doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are four easy ways to prepare for Cisco interview questions and the interview as a whole.
1. Make sure you thoroughly understand the position you’re applying for.
There are many different available roles at Cisco, in a number of various areas. For example, you could work in engineering, professional services, sales and marketing, corporate services, and operations and support. All of these departments have a plethora of positions to choose from. Getting familiar with the role you applied for is a must.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with not only the position, but also its requirements and duties. Not all Cisco interviews are the same and the Cisco interview questions asked can vary a bit based on the position. For example, someone interviewing for a software engineering position probably won’t get the exact same questions as someone who applied for a human resources role.
Be sure to know the position you applied for inside and out, and be ready to tailor your experience to those job responsibilities.
2. Answer a few practice Cisco interview questions.
Cisco interviews — like any interview — can be nerve-wracking. To help ease your nerves and boost your confidence, try practicing answering a few Cisco interview questions with a virtual interview simulation. Yoodli is a perfect example.
Yoodli is a communication coach that can give you useful tips and pointers for your upcoming interview. It’ll prompt you with interview questions for you to answer and analyze your responses.
Thanks to its AI analysis, you’ll be able to see exactly where you need to improve. For example, Yoodli will give you info and metrics like how fast (or slow) you’re speaking, how loud you sound, your filler word usage, and specific insights on your word choice, like whether or not you use inclusive language.
On top of providing you with personalized data from your interview responses, Yoodli also gives direct, actionable suggestions and feedback that you can then implement to better your interviewing skills. For example, if you tend to use lots of “weak” words, Yoodli might suggest pausing to think about what you want to say before speaking.
Because the interview simulation is so customizable, you can practice actual Cisco interview questions to prep for your upcoming conversation. You can also practice with Yoodli’s existing interview question bank. To give yourself a challenge, try changing the interview tone from friendly to serious and see how you can adjust your responses. The follow-up questions Yoodli provides, created using generative AI, can take you to the next level.
You can learn more about how Yoodli can help you ace your Cisco interview below:
Practicing Cisco interview questions is easy with Yoodli’s interview flow.
3. Be ready to show your enthusiasm for customer service.
Regardless of what role you applied for, you should prepare to show your enthusiasm for customer service, as it’s a key part of working at Cisco. It aligns closely with the company’s core values and is a skill the interviewer will expect you to have.
Besides that, demonstrating your passion for helping people can also:
Set you apart from other applicants who might not have customer service experience, let alone an enthusiasm toward it
Show how much you care about technology’s impact on customers
Exemplify your effective communication skills
Highlight your ability to problem-solve
4. Take the time to research Cisco’s history and mission.
Another aspect that can set you apart from other candidates when you’re answering Cisco interview questions is a solid foundation of knowledge about the company itself. To do so, you can explore Cisco’s website, social media pages, and any relevant news articles about the business.
Taking the time to research the company can help improve your ability to answer Cisco interview questions by:
Framing your anecdotes and responses around the company’s mission and values
Linking your past experience to the needs of the company and expectations of the role
Depending on what role you’re interviewing for, the Cisco interview questions you face can vary. Not all of the below common questions will apply to the position you’re interviewing for.
That being said, here are some essential Cisco interview questions to practice, including technical queries:
Let’s say you have a technical challenge you’ve never seen before. What would your first steps be to solve it?
What will you bring to Cisco?
Consider this scenario: Cisco executives are considering moving into a brand new market that could have different technical requirements. If you were tasked with assisting or advising, how would you plan to adapt to the new market?
Imagine you’re working during an important event and you notice you’re experiencing network congestion. What would your first steps be to pinpoint the issue and solve it?
In the Cisco router, what are the various types of memories used?
Think about a time when you had to make a difficult decision before a tight deadline or while under significant pressure. What happened? How did you approach the situation?
Let’s say you had to face a difficult customer or coworker. How would you handle the situation?
What is a deadlock in operating systems and when and why can it happen?
Why do you want to work at Cisco?
Tell me a little bit about what you know about Cisco technologies, like SD-WAN, Meraki, or Cisco DNA Center. How does this tech help clients?
List the various types of network security threats and their respective strategies for mitigation.
What’s an IP access list?
Can you explain the OSI model and its layers? Explain the various types of network devices — such as firewalls, routers, and switches — and how they work.
Think about a time when you had to explain a complicated concept to someone without the knowledge you have. How do you explain complex things without using technical jargon and be sure they understand you?
List some benefits to subnetting.
What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Imagine one of our clients isn’t satisfied with a product we offer. How would you handle this situation and address their concerns while also building their faith in the company and its products?
Explain virtual memory.
What do you think is your biggest career accomplishment to date? What did you learn from it?
Why should we hire you?
Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team. What was your job and what did you contribute?
The networking industry uses a layered model. Why is that?
Give me a time where you went above and beyond to help a client. What was the situation?
Can you explain what a diskless workstation is?
Tell me about your method for diagnosing and resolving network issues. Give me a recent example of a complicated network problem that you fixed and how you did it.
What’s recovery testing?
Think about basic routing protocols (RIP, BGP, OSPF, etc.) and explain them. What’s the difference between Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching?
What’s a transparent firewall?
Cisco Interview FAQs
If you still have more questions, don’t worry. Here are a few of the most common Cisco interview FAQs to consider.
Does Cisco do a lot of layoffs?
Recently, Cisco has laid off thousands of employees. In November 2022, the company announced its restructuring plan, which came after Cisco opened up about eliminating about 5% of the workforce.
Cisco’s layoffs continued into 2023 and affected a wide range of types of employees. Whether or not Cisco will lay off employees in 2024 is still unclear.
What laptops do Cisco employees use?
Of the more than 70,000 almost 50% of Cisco employees rely on a Mac as their corporate computer. Cisco engineers in particular have used Macs as their go-to system. Both the IT and sales team seem to appreciate using Macs as corporate computers, too.
Does Cisco pay well?
On average, Cisco does pay its employees well. In terms of hourly salary, Cisco pays its employees about $60 per hour. For salaried employees, pay ranges between $75,000 to $236,000, depending on the role and your experience.
What is the average age of Cisco employees?
The average age of Cisco employees is between 20-30 years old. Still, Cisco employs a wide range of employees of all ages. The company has about 79,500 employees total and 36% are 20-30 years old.
Of those employees, about 12% are between 18-20 years old, 27% are 30-40 years old, and 21% are 40 and older.
The Bottom Line
Cisco Systems is a large, well-known employer that hires for many various types of roles. It’s a great opportunity to interview with this company.
Just be sure to tackle some Cisco interview questions ahead of time before your conversation with the interviewer. You’ll feel much more confident going into it and it can even boost your chances of getting the job.
How does the Intel interview process work? What questions do they ask, and what frameworks do they look for in your responses?
Intel Corporation nurtures innovation and cultivates independent thinking by assembling some of the most talented teams in the world to drive meaningful impact. The company creates an environment where employees’ brilliance, energy, and curiosity can unleash potential and engineer innovative solutions.
Let’s take a look at the Intel interview process, style, sample questions, and interview preparation tips.
The Intel Interview Process
Intel encourages you to apply for open positions matching your background. To be considered, submit your resume electronically through their applicant tracking system. You’ll answer prescreening questions tailored either to the specific role or more general if you’re applying broadly. After submitting your profile, you’ll receive confirmations both on-screen and via email.
Intel sponsors foreign nationals for U.S. jobs requiring advanced STEM degrees where shortages of qualified American workers exist. Undergrads generally don’t receive sponsorship but might qualify for internships if they’re authorized to work.
Intel interview formats range from phone to in-person. The questions aim to mutually assess behavioral fit and technical abilities. It’s wise to clarify expected follow-up timelines during your interview(s), as these vary.
Whether or not you get the job, a company representative will contact you after the final interview. If Intel offers you a position, they’ll discuss terms and send you documentation. Those interviewed but not selected should continue applying.
Intel uses technical and behavioral interview questions aimed at understanding what you’re passionate about and what you’ve accomplished. They also want to know what questions you have about Intel and the position you’re applying for.
Intel recommends that you start your interview prep by doing thorough research on Intel, the industry, and the specific role you applied for. Prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer. Be ready to speak in detail about your qualifications, strengths, and passions—and how they align with Intel’s needs.
You’ll have an edge if you respond to the Intel interview questions with the specific frameworks the company prefers. Let’s take a look at those.
“Tell Me About Yourself”: Respond Using the SEAT Framework
Here’s the request that often kicks off a job interview: “Tell me about yourself.” In an Intel interview, use the SEAT framework to respond. This highlights your Skills, Experience/Education, Achievements, and personality Type. Keep your response succinct and aligned with Intel’s values.
Sample Response
Skills: I have over seven years of software engineering experience specializing in developing high-performance applications and optimizing system efficiency. My programming skills in languages such as C++ and Java along with expertise in computer architecture principles enable me to write code that maximizes CPU and memory usage.
Experience/Education: I hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science where I graduated top of my class after leading multiple award-winning engineering projects utilizing innovative algorithms to enhance speed and capability.
Achievements: One achievement I’m proud of is a facial recognition application I developed that improved accuracy by 15% over previous versions by applying neural net principles and more precise image processing techniques. This app was implemented by over 50 top global brands.
Type: I’m passionate about solving complex problems through writing elegant, resilient code just as Intel is renowned for. My intense focus, curiosity, and drive to keep learning newer technologies mean I consistently deliver robust programs with the user experience in mind. This is why I’m confident my skills would be invaluable as part of Intel’s skilled software team.
Behavioral Interview: Respond Using the STAR Framework
To respond to behavioral interview questions, Intel wants you to use the STAR framework. Clearly describe the Situation, your Task and responsibilities, the Actions you took, and the Results you achieved. Use specific examples showcasing your successes. Keep the focus on your personal contributions.
Sample Behavioral Question & Response
Question: Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple priorities with tight deadlines.
Response
Situation: I was the lead developer overhauling a client’s outdated order processing application while simultaneously building models for a new predictive inventory tool. Both projects had rapidly approaching deadlines and required robust solutions, so I knew I needed to work efficiently.
Task: As lead developer, it was my responsibility to complete both the order system upgrade integrating new payment features and the prototype forecasting models leveraging machine learning capabilities within a 12-week timeframe.
Actions: I thoroughly planned requirements, risks, scopes, and individual sprints for each project. I focused 80% of my own time purely on rebuilding the payment code base and distributed the remaining tasks across my direct reports based on their strengths. We met every morning for progress updates. When we faced database migration issues, I consulted external database architects to create an action plan.
Results: Our team completed both projects successfully within the deadline. The updated order system doubled the client’s online sales conversion rate in the first month through faster processing. And, once it was implemented, the inventory forecasting tool increased warehouse supply accuracy by over 30%, which saved the company some costs.
Sample Intel Interview Questions
Intel conducts both technical and behavioral interviews, so we’ve organized these typical interview questions into those categories.
Sample Technical Interview Questions
We’ve further organized these questions into subcategories of programming/coding, database, system architecture, and miscellaneous.
Programming/Coding
What’s a data type? How many types of data types are in .NET?
Which statement is used to replace multiple if-else statements in code?
How good are you in C and C++?
What’s a virtual function?
What’s an inline function?
Tell me about the storage classes and their memory allocation.
Given a string “S” containing a set of words, transform it such that the words appear in the reverse order. One or more spaces separate words in “S.”
Given an unsorted set of numbers from 1 to N with exactly two missing numbers, find those two missing numbers.
You are given an array of integers, arr, of size n, analogous to a continuous stream of integers input. Your task is to find “K” largest elements from a given stream of numbers.
Given a sequence, return its next lexicographically greater permutation. If such a permutation does not exist, then return it in ascending order.
Given an integer array arr of size n, find all magic triplets in it. A magic triplet is a group of three numbers whose sum is zero.
Given a binary tree “T,” write a code to generate the mirror image of the tree.
Given a variety of coin types defining a currency system, find the minimum number of coins required to express a given amount of money. Assume an infinite supply of coins of every type.
Database
What are the advantages of DBMS?
What’s a correlated subquery?
In what areas are data structures applied extensively?
What are the major data structures used in the following areas: RDBMS, network data model, and hierarchical data model?
System Architecture
What’s SMP?
What are rings in Windows NT?
How would you design an efficient digital traffic light signal system?
Which part of the memory is allocated, when malloc and calloc are called for any variable?
How would you measure the stack space without using the task manager, when an application is running on a computer? Can you write an algorithm for this?
When a game is running on a computer, what are the resources it will use on a computer? Firmware, Middleware, drivers, Application characteristics, stack
What’s virtual memory?
What design requirements would you consider while designing a file-sharing system like Dropbox?
How would you ensure the overall security of a scalable system?
What are your thoughts on the server requirements for an e-commerce website like Amazon?
Miscellaneous
What design aspects would you consider while designing a cab-hailing service like Uber?
What is a proximity server, and how would you design one?
Intel Corporation uses some well-known software programs. Which automation software solutions are you accustomed to using?
What statement would you use to replace a multiple if-else statement to still reach the same endpoint?
Sample Behavioral Interview Questions
We’ve organized this category of Intel interview questions into the subcategories of background, skills and experience, work style and preferences, Intel-specific, and miscellaneous.
Background
Tell me about yourself.
What’s a career success you’re particularly proud of, and how was it a success?
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Who has inspired you in your life and how?
Skills and Experience
What are your weaknesses?
What are your strengths?
Tell me about your recent project.
What skills did you learn in your last position that will help you in this new role with Intel Corporation?
Tell me about a time when you generated a creative idea to solve a problem or improve a work method.
Tell me about a time when you had to gather data and diagnose the causes of a problem before taking action.
Describe a situation in which you independently improved upon the quality of your processes, products, or services and how you identified the need for this improvement.
Work Style and Preferences
How do you prioritize your tasks at work, especially on a day when you have multiple tasks that need to be completed?
What habits do you think are important for an ideal work-life balance?
What type of work environment do you dislike working in?
How do you stay motivated toward work?
Handling Challenges
Tell me about a time you had multiple assignments with conflicting goals or deadlines and how you completed each of them.
Tell us about a time when you disagreed with a superior.
Tell us about a time when you had to work long hours to meet deadlines. How did you deal with it, and how did it affect you?
Describe a time when you anticipated problems and developed contingency plans to deal with those problems.
How do you manage work-life stress?
Intel Specific
Why do you want to work at Intel?
What are your preferred departments in Intel?
Miscellaneous
How many interviews do you have today apart from Intel?
How often do you think it’s necessary to take a vacation?
How have you handled sensitive information in the past, and what strategies did you employ to maintain confidentiality?
Intel highly values both technical capabilities and cultural alignment when hiring. Focus your preparation across three key areas. This multifaceted approach highlights your technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and genuine cultural fit—positioning you as a strong match for Intel roles through both competencies and shared outlook.
Technical
First, showcase relevant technical skills and projects from your background, such as systems design and coding. Spend eight to 10 weeks studying Intel’s specialized focus within these domains.
Behavioral
Second, practice responses to common behavioral interview questions to exhibit strong interpersonal abilities. Complete numerous mock interviews to strengthen soft skills and build confidence.
Here’s where Yoodli comes in. Yoodli has an AI interview coach that helps you practice interview questions and provides real-time feedback. You can choose your role and practice mock interview questions.
With Yoodli, you can choose the interviewer style, such as serious, skeptical, or technical. During your mock interview, Yoodli will ask contextual follow-up questions in real-time based on your responses. Afterward, it will analyze your answers and provide personalized feedback focused on improving your communication skills. Specific feedback includes tips on being more concise, using simpler language to rephrase complex ideas, choosing words for optimal clarity, and speaking elements such as pace and filler words. Any recordings of your mock interviews can also be shared with human mentors for additional coaching and advice.
Intel Corporation
Finally, research Intel’s current business priorities and strategies. Demonstrate this insight when you connect your experiences to potential roles. Optimizing your LinkedIn presence can further align you with Intel’s values.
Wrapping Up
Intel participates in an exciting mission by empowering its people to bring their distinct passions and perspectives. The company values each individual’s gifts and intellect to unlock possibilities and design solutions that create the future. Is it the right fit for you? We wish you the best in your interview prep and job search! Let us know if we can be of further help as you advance your career.
