
Hack The Interview
By Adrienne & Loreen Dinkelacker

Hack The InterviewMar 23, 2022

43. Melissa Dobbins & Removing Bias from the Hiring Process
Melissa Dobbins is many things; entrepreneur, engineer, analyst, product strategist, mother, Star Wars enthusiast, leader, avid writer, USC Trojan, wife, science fiction fan, speaker, artist, etc. While she has many facets, none can define her. Just like everyone else, Melissa is more than a description on a piece of paper. She founded career.place because she believes everyone deserves to be evaluated for their true potential and not by the biases triggered by a few words.
Career.Place’s mission is to remove bias and increase the equity, inclusion, and efficiency of hiring. Career.Place is practical, actionable training designed as how-to guides to building equity and efficiency across every aspect of the hiring process. Career.Place is also an anonymous candidate screening platform that helps organizations hire more effectively without bias. By removing bias and building equitable processes, organizations open the door to a wider candidate pool while driving diversity, efficiency, and compliance.
Career.Place, removing bias one hire at a time.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

42. Navigating Giving Your 2 Weeks' Notice
Congrats, you got the job!
It's all hitting you- a fresh new job, a shiny new salary... and you know you now have to have the awkward conversation of see ya again never.
Should you tell your (now) ex-boss where you're going? Should you entertain a counter offer? Should you email a resignation letter or just tell your boss over zoom?
We help you navigate all of it in this episode, enjoy :)
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

41. Getting Paid for Interviews? Our Take & How to Ask
In this episode, we cover getting paid for time spent on interviewing.
Some companies do this... and some don't.
We go over what to do if you feel like you should be getting paid for that presentation or take home project.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

40. We Answer Your Questions!
We answer questions you've been sending!
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

39. Shima Aoki: Pivoting Careers & Creating your Narrative
In this episode we have the honor of speaking with Shima Aoki about shifting careers, work life balance, creating your narrative.
Shima Aoki is a senior product designer at Prodigy Education, where she leads design on the Tutoring experience. But before she embarked on her career in user experience design, she was a successful editor working at one of the world's top book publishing companies, Penguin Random House.
Leaving an established career to embark on a new path all while raising three young children, Shima is passionate about mentoring and helping others regardless of what stage they are at in their career and life.
Thanks for joining us Shima!.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

38. Feel Like You're Bombing an Interview? Here's What to Do
💣 Have you had the feeling in an interview that you may be bombing? - Here are tips to help you through.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

37. How To Nail Behavioral And Situational Based Interview Questions
When you're interviewing, you'll most likely be dealing with a set of both situational and behavioral interview questions. In this episode, we explain how to identify them, how to prepare for them, and how to nail and your answer. We also give you a helpful tip on how to predict what to expect, no matter where you're interviewing.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

36. Get Ghosted After an Interview? Here's Why
Got ghosted after an interview? Ugh. No one likes to be left in the dark. In this episode, we try to ease your mind and give you all of the reasons that we've seen over the years.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

35. HELP! I'm Not Good at Selling...and I Need to Interview
Hold up... wait a minute!
You do not need to be a good salesperson to do well on your interview.
In this episode we talk about what you need to get through the interview - and its not your sales skills.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

34. Happy Ears and Why They're DANGEROUS!
Caution all Happy Ears! Your happy ears may detonate the second you sign into your new email address at your new job!
Do you have happy ears? What even ARE THEY?
In this episode, we talk about it so you can stay even keeled during an interview process.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us: Adrienne & Loreen w / www.theatlasgroup.co

33. Importance of Soft Skills in Tech Interviews
Importance Soft Skills in Tech Interview:
The technical piece matters a lot in a tech interview.. but the soft skills matter, too. Being able to share your rationale, how you came to the answer, and the ability to communicate your thought process is imperative.
We also go over some tips that Lizzy Wong, Head of Data Analytics at the Skimms shares with us in episode 20.
Take a listen and let us know what you think!
To learn more about us:

32. What Can/ Should I be Upfront with When Speaking to a Recruiter?
Congrats! You've made it to the 1st round - A meeting with a recruiter. What do you say? What don't you say? In this episode, we go through what to tell a recruiter, what to be honest about, and how you can make sure you're getting the most out of the call.
Connect with us here:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

31. I Haven't Interviewed in Years, HELP! I Need the Basics!
Have you not interviewed in a while? Feeling rusty? Take a listen in to hear about what you can do to help you wrap your head around getting started and the basics of interviewing.
If you find this helpful, leave a review or share with a friend!
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

30. What You Need to Know About Providing References
Providing References
Its reference time! Whether you're asked to provide them on the application or during the interview process, we got you covered. We discuss the best type of references to give, what you do if you don't have many references, why it's important to choose people that are available, and why giving good references are important. Since they can be a "make it or break it" in receiving an offer, we wanted to make sure we had you covered.
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

29. Best Excuses to Get out of an Interview
Do you want to get out of an interview?
Maybe the role isn't the best fit after you thought about it, or you came across some bad glassdoor reviews. Whatever it is, you want to get out of this!
After years of hearing every excuse in the book, we give you some pointers on how to bow out gracefully without souring any connections.
Listen in so we can give you the best excuses to get out of an interview.
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

28 Everything You Need to Know About Job Descriptions
Job Descriptions: Everything you need to know about job descriptions.
In this episode we go over why you shouldn't take job description that seriously and if you have the skills, apply.
Job Descriptions are an employers wish list. They can change a lot, especially when we're talking tech. They're not perfect. So, if you're interested in the role, and you have transferable skills - Go for it!
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

27. So, you want to be a Recruiter?
Its January 2022 and the market is hot right now looking for recruiters.
In this episode we dive into the different types of recruiting roles there are: inhouse and agency. The different types of recruiting agencies there are. What some pay structures are for recruiters. What the hard and soft skills of recruiting are. What are the roles to look for when applying to a recruiter role and hear how Loreen and Adrienne both got into recruiting.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

26. Interviewing: How to Feel More in Control
The point of this podcast is to help uncover, for the interviewee, that based on their needs, wants and goals, that what they want matters. The fit they are looking for matters. The type of company they are targeting matters. What the company on the other end of the interview only accounts for 50% of the interaction, and regardless of what the company thinks, there should be as much importance focused on what the interviewee wants, too.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

25. How to Message Recruiters Back Like a Pro
So, you get a hiring manager or recruiter message and... the role looks like a really good fit!
Writing back "Yes, I'm interested!" is ok, and you might be tempted to use that LinkedIn canned response, but there are more effective responses that will make the person on the other end further confirmation that they reached out to the right one.
This might be one simple interaction, but if you're interested in making a good impression, we give you a few tips to help you do just that.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

24. Worst Advice We've heard from Career Coaches
In the era of covid, the amount of career coaches on the internet has increased exponentially.
We've heard first hand from Job Seekers and Candidates with some interesting tips, tricks and advice from Career Coaches that miss the 🎯
Take a listen in to hear some of the most interesting / off advice we have heard in the recent months.
Tip: If you're working with a career coach - check their credentials. Just like any service, What makes them qualified to help you?
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

23. Jay Suggs: DEI and Navigating your Career
Jermaine "Jay"Suggs:
Today, we’re speaking with Jermaine “Jay” Suggs. Jay has an extensive professional sales and business development background and 20 years of progressive experience building robust, lasting partnerships. Jay currently serves as the Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Johnson Controls, a Fortune 100 building technology company. Additionally, he is the CEO & Founder of Suggcess Consulting which provides impactful inclusion strategies, executive coaching and sales training to for profit and nonprofit organizations.
Jay’s expertise is in leading and cultivating inclusive team development, coaching, and strategic planning. He has extensive experience in developing and implementing creative DEI strategies for leadership accountability and employee engagement.
Jay is passionate and committed to champion change throughout an organization on all levels by leveraging his interpersonal and communication skills. He is skilled at building relationships, and communicates inclusion in an inspirational way that resonates with the listener, no matter his or her ethnicity or background.
Jay studied Global Communication and Media at Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ. Born and raised in Newark NJ, Jay’s ability to see a solution in every challenge is attributed to his humble beginnings. He was raised by his grandmother who taught him at an early age that we are all connected by a common thread which is humanity.
His personal mantra for life is “be relentless in all that you do and you will always increase your odds to win!”
Connect on LinkedIn: Jermaine Suggs
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

22. Should You Reach Out Directly to a Hiring Manager when Applying?
We get this question all the time - If I applied for a role, can I reach out to a hiring manager?
Not to spoil the surprise, but the answer is YES!
You can reach out via LinkedIn message, LinkedIn connection request or email.
Craft your message, make it personal and help the reader connect the dots!
Go get em!
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

21. The EASIEST Thing You Can Do In Your Tech Interview To Make You Stand Out
Whats our #1 Tip?!
Explain your thought process! Take a listen for more details and a handy example!
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

20. Lizzy Wong Head of Data and Analytics at theSkimm talks to us about Her Pivot Into Tech, Getting and Receiving Feedback, Finding your Differentiator and What She Looks For When Hiring!
In this episode we speak with Lizzy Wong. Lizzy is the Head of Data & Analytics at theSkimm. She’s an Aussie native now living in New York who has been working in tech for over 10 years from big 4 consulting to pre and post IPO startups like Blue Apron. She has experience in hiring for and building technical teams across data, product, and engineering and is passionate about leading teams with empathy while embracing individuality, diversity, and an acknowledgement that life is not just work. In her free time, she likes to dance, play tennis, lie down in parks, and chat… she’ll chat to anybody and anything.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-wong/
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

19. Counter Offers... Should You Consider Them?
Counter Offers
Should I stay or should I go! (Play that oldie but goodie song)
Thats up to you
Know what you want and be prepared.
Take a listen for some stories of people who have taken counter offers and stayed
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

18. Networking?! Meet Lisa- Director of Women who Code and Software Engineering Manager at Netflix! Sharing Her Insights with us About Networking, Interviewing and Women in Tech!
Todays episode we're so thrilled to connect with Lisa Shissler Smith!
Lisa is an Engineering Manager at Netflix and a Director for Women Who Code. She lives near Raleigh, NC with her husband and their 5 children. She is passionate about inclusion and diversity, and has spoken to groups large and small about recruiting and retention. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, video games, desk dancing, and all things small. @smithwebsmith on twitter /smithwebsmith on LinkedIn
We talk about networking in tech and how to do it, ways to ask questions around inclusion
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

17. Feeling Anxious About Your Next Interview? Here's What You Can Do
In today's episode, we cover tips on handling anxiety before an interview
In our conversation we cover:
Mental Imagery & Visualization Preparation Knowing what you bring to the table Knowing that your being interviewed for a reason; and you're also interviewing them! Practice Breathing TechniquesLets go!
Let us know if any of these tips worked for you or if you have any more to share!

16. The Truth About Cover Letters
PSA: We don't read cover letters.
So... does that mean you don't need one? Yes... unless you see that dreaded asterisk next to "Coverletter" on the application requiring you to upload one to apply. Ugh.
Since you may need it for those situations, we help break down exactly what to include in your cover letter so that it's effective without you having to waste a bunch of time on it.
In this episode we go over:
- Why we don't read your cover letter
- Where did this cover letter thing started
- Why companies may still require them on an application, even though recruiters don't read them
- How to craft one and what to include without spending a lot of time on it

15. Why Your Motivation is More Important to a Recruiter Than You Think
Have you ever told a recruiter that youre just "always open to hearing what's out there" when they ask why you're in the job market? That you're happy in your role, but you're "always open to hearing about new opportunities that could be exciting"?
I'm about to let you in on something... it's a screaming red flag to us. Unless... you are able to give a concrete, specific answer on what an exciting role would be, or know exactly what it would take for you to make a move.
Why is that a red flag though? Does the motivation really matter that much? We break this down for you from all sides; the recruiter, the hiring manager, and why it's important to be clear about your own motivations to help you navigate these questions and level up your interview game.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/

14. A Therapist's Take On Getting Through Your Job Search Process
Is your job search making you feel like you need a therapist?
Well, we got one for you this episode!
We speak with Jamila Walker, owner and Clinical Practice Director of NEW Counseling, PLLC a safe haven for anyone wanting to learn to better navigate life with a sense of self confidence, self love, self worth and self compassion.
In our conversation with Jamila, we speak about:
- How to not let a bad work experience scar a new work relationship or even a potential networking opportunity
- How to be less performative in an interview and how to best bring your authentic self
- How to deal with rejection
Connect with Jamila:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newcounselingpllc/
Website: https://www.newcounselingpllc.com/
To schedule an appointment: appointments@newcounselingpllc.com
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/

13. What Really Gets Evaluated In Each Step Of the Interview Process
Take the guess work on how to prep for each step of the interview process- in this episode, we give a rough guide on what each step of the interview process will be evaluating you on and how to prep.
We go over:
- The Recruiter Screen
- HR
- The Tech Interview
- C-Suite

12. EASY Negotiation Tactics Any Job Seeker Can Benefit From Knowing
Want some easy negotiation tactics? Maybe you've never negotiated before, maybe you're nervous to do it... or maybe your brain just hurts from interviewing.
Whatever it is, we break down the most BASIC tactics you can use when it's time to negotiate, so you feel informed and comfortable in the conversation; not like you have to jump over yet another hurdle.
We talk about:
- The list of things you can negotiate for other than salary (there always seems to be about 5 or so things that are always up for negotiation besides salary)
- Understanding how the company comes up with their offers (and how to ask about it)
- What type of data you should come to the conversation with
- Knowing what's most important to you
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/

11. From Getting Laid off to Being Featured on the BBC- One Woman's Story of Resilience
Today is a special day, because we’re here with, Amanda Ewing, Amanda had been working for 16 years in the corporate world, when a business merger left her career at a crossroad. Faced with uncertainty, she pushed aside her fears and took first steps toward finding a more fulfilling career and developing her most extraordinary life.
At a workbench outside of Nashville, TN, Amanda produces wood, stringed instruments by hand, and is carving a new path for herself dedicated to joy and creativity.
“I decided to open my life up to amazing possibilities, and my work as a luthier just fell into place. It feels like I didn’t choose to become a violin maker,” says Amanda. “Violin making choose me.”
We talk about:
- Obstacles that come up when being laid off
- What tools helped Amanda to find her joy
- How she navigated uncertainty while being laid off
- What opportunities came from following her dreams
- Whats its like to be the first
- Why representation matters
To learn more and connect with Amanda, you can follow her on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lovinglyamanda/?hl=en
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/

10. 92% of Hiring Managers Hire Using LinkedIn... Here's How to Optimize Yours.
Want a recruiter's perspective on how we use LinkedIn to find candidates and how to populate in more searches? Listen on!
We talk about your:
- Profile Photo and visuals
- Headline tips
- How recruiters find you and how LinkedIn works for us
- What keywords are and why they help you stand out
- What the skills section is
- What "open to work" means for the recruiter looking at your profile
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

9. How to Negotiate for More Time at the End of an Offer Stage
In today's episode, we are talking to Talent Acquisition professional and Career Coach, Savannah Scalyer!
In our conversation with Savannah, we get the inside scoop on:
How to navigate multiple offers at once How to best negotiate time at the end (and how to ask for it) Verbal VS written offers What do to when you only have 24 hours to accept How to communicate with company if you need to pull out of an offer you already accepted without burning a bridge (is that possible?)Buckle your seatbelts!
How to connect with Savannah:
Instagram: @savannah.scalyer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannah-scalyer-a606ba29
Adrienne & Loreen:
Website: https://theatlasgroup.co/
Adrienne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/

8. How To Work With A Recruiter
You may want to work with a recruiter, but how do you find one? What do they really do with your resume after you send it? We tell you the inside scoop on how to work best with head hunters.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

7. How to Interview a Potential Employer
You may be ready for a company to interview you, but are you ready to interview the company? In this episode, we talk about what things to consider and how to best qualify a company to make sure it's a good fit for you.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

6. Are You Full of Red Flags In Your Interview?
Are you screaming red flags in your interview? In this episode, we tell you what the most common ones are and why they're considered red flags.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

5. Getting Your Resume Past The... ATS Bots?
We see articles and hear things about getting your resume past the "ATS bots". The truth is... there aren't any.
In this episode, we tell you how it actually works.
Connect with us:
Adrienne- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/
www.theatlasgroup.co

4. Negotiating During Covid- Should You Do It?
In this episode we discuss if you can or should negotiate in the times of Covid.

3. Practicing: We know this topic sounds boring, but trust us you want to listen.
In this episode, we cover why practicing before your interview is important, even if you think you don't need to.

2. Video Interviews Can Feel Weird- Here's How to Survive
In this eposide we cover the most important things to remember when preparing for your video interview.

1. How to Best Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" In An Interview
In this episode, we tell you how to get comfortable answering the dreaded "tell me about yourself" question.
Website
https://theatlasgroup.co/
Adrienne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-dinkelacker-b067322/
Loreen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreen-dinkelacker-08387863/