7 tips to help you get through an interview and get a job

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

For some it is a test, for others a chance, for others it is entertainment. But everyone goes through this at least once in their life. Our article will give you seven valuable tips for preparing and passing a job interview.

Conduct information intelligence

To paraphrase a well-known aphorism, we can say: who owns the information, he owns the situation at the interview.

Before heading to the office, find out:

• with whom you will talk: with the head, the head of the personnel department or his ordinary employee;
• interview format (group or individual, question-answer or self-presentation);
• dress code and things you need to have with you (documents, gadgets, etc.);
• how to get there (it is unacceptable to be late).

It will help to find out whether the company's website or a call to the office.

Make a map of answers to common questions

Job interviews are of the same type and at the same time they are not similar to each other. Many have heard of stressful job interviews where they may suddenly start yelling at a job seeker to unsettle them. There are also so-called case interviews: the applicant is placed in certain circumstances (for example, a conversation with an unhappy client) and observed how he solves the problem.

It is not always possible to find out what type of interview is preferred by a particular company, so you need to be ready for everything.

To do this, make a map with answers to typical questions and requests (they are asked in 99.9% of cases):

• top 5 of your main strengths;
• what are you good at;
• strategic directions of self-development;
• proposals for the work of the company;
• your life and work philosophy;
• your short and long term goals;
• unusual tasks that you had to solve.

You should also prepare in advance a list of topics that you would like to discuss with the HR manager.

Interpret the employer's questions

"A" does not always mean "A", and twice two does not always mean four. Recruiters sometimes ask tricky questions, where behind a simple wording lies a cunning plan - to get the applicant to say more than they should.

A simple question: "What salary would you like to receive?" But the answer helps the interviewer understand your motivation: money, social guarantees, work schedule, etc. If you are asked if you had conflicts with management and how you resolved them, then most likely the HR manager wants to know if you are inclined to take responsibility or are used to shifting it onto others.

There are many tricky questions. You need to be able to see the "double bottom" (without fanaticism!).

Consider your non-verbal behavior

HR managers are people, not automata. They, like everyone else, pay attention to non-verbal signs: appearance, facial expressions, gait, gestures, etc. An experienced professional can only be turned down because he has misbehaved.

Think ahead about your body language. If you habitually jerk your leg out of excitement, then sit cross-legged. If you bump your fingers on the table, try keeping your hands busy with something like a ballpoint pen.

HR managers are people, not automata. They understand that you are worried. But being natural in non-verbal communication will increase your credibility.

Establish taboos on certain topics

“Tell us about yourself,” the interviewer asks. “I was born on April 2, 1980 (according to the Aries horoscope). In his youth, he played football, was the captain of the city team. Then he graduated from the institute … - if the story of the applicant is approximately the same, he will not see the position as his own ears.

There are things that are absolutely uninteresting to the employer and which in no way characterize you as a professional. In the given example, this is the year of birth (you can read it in the resume), the sign of the zodiac and sports achievements.

There are topics that need to be tabooed for yourself:

• retelling the summary;
• personal life goals (buy a house, have children, etc.);
• reputation of the company and its employees;
• skills and experience that are not related to future work (I cook well, understand plumbing, and the like);
• failures demonstrating incompetence.

Just as you made a plan for what to talk about, write down and memorize the topics to ignore. Also, think about how to correctly answer if you are still asked about it.

Contemplate to calm down

Interviewing is a nerve-racking affair. You can forget your name, not to mention the demonstration of business qualities.

To calm yourself down, take a look around. Inspect the office, equipment, employees. The details will tell you a lot about the company where you are going to work, and their analysis will help to bring the nervous system back to normal.

A critical look at the firm and future colleagues can heighten self-importance. Remember, the company needs a good employee as much as you need a good job.

Take the initiative

In an interview, as a rule, there comes a moment when the interviewer and the interviewee change places and the applicant has the opportunity to ask questions of interest.

Do not waste time on useless "Will you call me yourself or should I call you back?", "Why is this position open?" etc. Show yourself as a proactive employee. Ask:

• Does the company have any urgent problem? How do you think I can help you?
• Could you describe how you envision the ideal candidate for this position?
• What advice would you give to someone who starts working for your company?

There are also a number of questions that are not recommended to be asked. Which - will tell you by clicking on the button below.

Following these tips will prepare you for your interview and increase your chances of getting a job.

Are there any additions? Write them in the comments.