If you want to get better results from your job interviews, be prepared to give it your all. Prove to your employer why you are an ideal candidate for the job and get it fast. Prepare for your new career - then, follow these steps to get the best interview possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Be Prepared
Step 1. Start preparing as soon as possible
The larger companies will contact you to arrange an interview about a month before the date. You should spend the whole month preparing yourself so that you feel comfortable and know what you need before taking the interview. You will need to be prepared to ask the right questions - and also to answer all the questions that will be asked of you well.
- Do some research. Collect information about the company and specifically about the job description, and how it fits into the particular unit or department where you will work. Find as much information as possible, to show the skills that will allow you to carry out your job, according to the responsibilities and duties foreseen: so you will not be speechless if you are asked to explain how you work and how you manage colleagues, contacts with customers and disciplinary problems.
- Use search engines to find information about people who may be asking you questions at the interview. If you can't find anything, try using Linkedin. Use it to create business relationships.
Step 2. Get help
Don't prepare for an interview alone. There are valuable resources you can leverage:
- Seek expert help. Find a mentor or former student from your university who works in your industry. Talk to them and ask for their advice.
- Find a friend who is getting ready for a job interview. Examine each other so that you are comfortable with the verbal and social aspects of the interview. You can also tell yourself your anecdotes and examples that illustrate your strengths that you want to propose at the interview. Ask him what he was able to understand from each story and use his comments to choose the ones that represent you best.
Step 3. Write and practice at least three questions to ask the examiner to demonstrate how much you care about the job
Don't ask questions about things you can easily find out with a simple search (you should have known for a long time the compensation and benefits offered by the company, etc.). Think about what you want to know about that specific company and what your responsibilities and opportunities will be once there. Remember that an interview is two-way, you will need to demonstrate real interest in the company; he said immediately: "I very much appreciate this opportunity". Then, let the examiner know that you really care, with some great questions. Ask 3-4 serious questions that include the following topics:
- Ask if there is "room for personal growth" within the company to show loyalty. Sure, you are applying for a specific position, but you will show that you are willing to be a part of the company for a long time.
-
Please ask "who I will work with most closely" to showcase your social skills and availability. "I am very interested in the people I will interact with most often in the company." With these words you can make it clear that you are suitable for the job. You may find that you will spend a lot of time with one of the examiners or with a person you may meet on the day of the interview, and you will be able to let them know that they will appreciate you and you will appreciate them. Be courteous and show that you are kind and happy to meet them.
Say: "Great. I'm pleasantly impressed. I really love this company or this department", if you have the opportunity to meet the staff in the office, shop or sales department. Show gratitude and happiness for the opportunity given to you - not embarrassment or shyness. Try to meet new people and make friends, but don't overdo it or you will look mushy
- Asking for more information on the more complex and important parts of the job will show that you have read the job description carefully. Now you will have to make the examiner understand what your daily life will be like and what your contribution to society will be.
Step 4. Write down the answers to the simplest questions you expect to receive
While an examiner can always surprise you, there are a number of basic questions you will be asked in an interview, so it's best to prepare yourself to answer them honestly and comprehensively. Don't give the impression that you are caught unprepared or have not taken the time to think about the responsibilities of the job. Find good answers to the most important questions you will be asked:
- What are your strengths? Can you tell a concrete example that illustrates them?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work for this company? Do you think you are the right candidate?
- What are the long-term goals for your career?
- What is the biggest professional challenge you have faced and solved? How did you act?
- Are you good at working in a group and sharing your best ideas? Can you describe an example of good teamwork?
- Why did you decide to leave the company where you worked?
Step 5. Make sure you are dressed appropriately
Your wardrobe is a sign of professionalism, and in some cases it is designed to evaluate your level of experience and competence. When colleagues and clients look at you, they should immediately feel at ease. Therefore, dress casually or formally, according to the habits of society and the industry. A black suit and a sober tie for men and an inconspicuous jacket and skirt for women are good choices, even if you work with a uniform or in jeans. You will show everyone that you can look good when you should.
Show up early (30 minutes is fine) with everything you need, and never late, in a rush, out of breath, scruffy and out of breath. Bring a nice folder with you that contains blank sheets of paper and copies of your resume. Make sure you also have pens and pencils for taking notes
Step 6. Leave the calculator and chewing gum at home
If you have to bring your cell phone, make sure it is turned off before the interview.
- Do not bring anyone with you to the interview, and if you have to be accompanied, ask that the person wait for you at a nearby bar.
- Don't show up for the interview with a cup of coffee. You would demonstrate an overly informal approach or lack of experience.
Part 2 of 3: Be Professional
Step 1. Be respectful, calm, professional, confident and enthusiastic at the same time by smiling slightly (in an unforced way)
Don't look nervous, don't tap your fingers, don't move your legs, and don't fiddle with your hands (crossing your legs and arms is considered a defensive posture). Don't sit stiff as a statue, but don't slouch like you're lazy. If you are asked about a case, talk about the process you would use. Don't be afraid to ask if you've expressed yourself comprehensively - you will be evaluated on your ability to structure your thinking and communicate your ideas well, not on the number of questions you ask. In fact, talking about your process is a great way to engage the examiner and get him to participate more in the discussion. You can get valuable advice from the conversation and understand what he wants to know.
If you need clarification, don't be afraid to ask. You will answer better, if you know exactly what is asked of you. Don't ask questions all the time, or you will look confused
Step 2. Sell yourself
What are your unique abilities that respond to the wishes of the company? Be sure to list many examples as proof of your skills. Show examiners that you can find the positives of your past experiences - this is no time to complain about previous jobs (and shoot yourself in the foot). Rather, explain why the new job is much more suitable for you.
- Remember the quality examples you wrote earlier? Now is the time to use them.
- There is a difference between being confident and bragging. Make sure you let them know what a capable and intelligent employee you would be, but don't praise yourself too much.
Step 3. Don't forget to ask questions
Pay attention to the examiner's answers - you might even take notes. It will prove that you are listening and you will have something to think about if you have to make a decision between different jobs.
Don't ask the same questions at every interview. Find questions specific to the company you're applying for to show you've done good research
Step 4. Be polite
Listen to each question thoroughly before you start answering it. Never assume your examiner has read your resume, but don't treat it as if they haven't. After the interview, don't forget to send a thank you email. They are generally preferable to handwritten cards, as they arrive earlier than regular mail. You should, however, make sure that it is error-free and intended for the right person, and that it is clear who the sender is and what the purpose of the communication is.
To be polite, remember to thank the examiner after the interview for meeting you. Show him that you really appreciate the time and effort he put into you
Step 5. Insist
Continue to hold talks. The more interviews you do, the better you get. Don't be discouraged. Your first interview will rarely get you the job of your dreams, but that doesn't mean you should lower your standards after the third. Keep looking for jobs that are realistic for your goals and background and you will eventually find what you are looking for.
Part 3 of 3: Supporting Interviews by Phone or Skype
Step 1. Prepare well for telephone interviews
If you need to interview over the phone, your examiner will likely be a human resources employee who will have very little knowledge of the position and technical terms related to the specific job. Be sure to use catchy keywords and phrases when answering the questions, as you will need to draw a portrait for your examiner, who cannot see you. If you manage to do this, you will pass the telephone interview.
- Consider the telephone interview as a real professional interview. Find a quiet place, don't get distracted and do nothing but talk, in very slow and clear.
- Keep your notes in front of you, but be prepared to improvise. Having notes in front of you will give you more confidence, but don't rely on them completely.
- Dress as if you were going to introduce yourself. Dressing professionally will make you feel more prepared than wearing pajamas.
Step 2. Prepare well for Skype interviews
Skype interviews are increasingly popular and are a great tool for employers to screen unsuitable candidates after the first or second round of interviews. Find a place with good lighting and a simple professional background, dress well, look good, and test your camera and microphone in time to make sure you're ready for the interview.
Treat the interview as if it were in person. Don't think it's any less serious or professional just because it's done on a computer
Advice
- Many examiners will ask you a question similar to "What are the three adjectives that best describe you?". Prepare an answer.
- If you are asked a question about a subject you know little or almost completely ignore, it's best to tell the truth and be honest: "It's not my forte, but I'm willing to learn."
- If you are told over the phone that you didn't get the job, be polite and thank them for considering you. Who knows, the person they have chosen may not be suitable. If that happens, they may call you back.
- Arrive early for the interview. Try to show up 15-20 minutes early. Take advantage of the wait to review your notes. Being late or just on time can increase the stress, and tension will emerge during the meeting.
- After an interview, do a general assessment. Once out of the office, try to mentally review every single step of the meeting, as if you were an outside spectator. Be objective: ask yourself what you did wrong, what did you do well, what to improve, how you could have made a better figure, what questions have troubled you, etc. Quickly write down everything that comes to mind. Do your research and think about the aspects to be optimized to give more effective answers. Review your notes before the next interview. You will be surprised to find that it gets better and better.
- During the interview, use your time wisely and effectively. Avoid going on a tangent and wasting precious minutes. An hour-long match can fly. Try to express your thoughts efficiently. Try leaving 10-15 minutes at the end for the questions you will ask. This way, you can diplomatically evaluate what you ask for. Wear a wristwatch to make a rough calculation.
- Find a balance between bringing out your qualities and not looking like a person full of arrogance.
- Don't take rejection personally. Why are you not chosen for a job? A more qualified candidate is usually preferred. Don't let go, keep participating. Every single interview brings you closer and closer to the finish line.
- Sometimes you may be asked for a drug test. It can be done by doing a urinalysis or by cutting a small strand of hair and sending it to the laboratory for examination. Thanks to the molecular structure of the hair, this second approach can detect drug use dating back months. If you have been taking drugs, keep this in mind, consider your options for getting help, and quitting. Do you take any medications that have been prescribed for you? Write it in the form that will be delivered to the laboratory, so they will understand the situation. This sheet generally has space dedicated to this information.
- For each interview, prepare a short list of topics you want to cover. Learn the list by heart. Try to illustrate these points in your answers. If, for example, you have a certification in a job-related field, be sure to mention it. If you are an excellent listener or communicator, mention it. Use these topics only if you can talk about them naturally, without exaggerating.
- If you are asked a question that takes a long time, efficiently state the most important aspects of the answer. Then add: "I can go into much more detail on this if you like." In many cases the examiner will reply: "No, that's okay, the answer was exhaustive". They too have schedules to respect and will be careful not to waste the time of the interview.
- Consider the time it takes to find parking in your schedule. In some cases it can be difficult to find parking in an unfamiliar place.
- Check the weather forecast. Bad weather can cause delays on your journey, so adjust your plans accordingly. You don't want to get soaked.
Warnings
- One trick used by examiners is pauses in conversation. Many people feel embarrassed in moments of silence and will do anything to fill them. You may say or reveal something that you will regret if you are not careful.
- Another trick used by examiners is to interrupt the interview often. Interruptions can be accidental or planned, but if you lose the thread or get irritated, stay polite and smile.
- Interviews with a committee, during which several people will examine you at the same time, are common for important positions. Recognize the different roles that each committee member will play. It is very common for at least one member of the commission to adopt the role of the "bad cop" - asking abrupt or even rude questions. This is a deliberate tactic to gauge your reaction. Try to stay calm and not warm up. If they talk interrupting you, stop talking and let them ask you the next question.
