10 tips for a successful job interview
You must bear in mind that it is not a mere matter of 'luck' to attend a job interview but of preparation, so these recommendations from the experts will help you.
Do you have a job interview ? Get down to business and prepare well, as this part is critical to making a good (first) impression . This moment is one of the definitive ones when companies choose a candidate , since it is the previous step to employment.
Remember, if you have already been called for an interview after submitting your curriculum vitae , you have advanced in the selection process because you were interesting to fill the position and you have the opportunity to be part of a work team.
Prepare yourself in time and put aside your nerves, anxiety and stress because your future and the job you were looking for is at stake. You must bear in mind that it is not a mere matter of luck to attend a job interview but of preparation.
There are key issues that can take us to the next round or leave us out of the process altogether. Here are 10 recommendations that experts from OCC Mundial, Entrepreneur and LinkedIn give you so that your job interview is successful:
1. Know your own resume
At first your curriculum vitae (CV) impressed them, that does not mean that they will not ask you about it and the achievements you have obtained. The safest thing is that they will go to the bottom, so you must be prepared to answer all kinds of questions, even some that have their answer in the CV. For this reason, you should go through it point by point, with the document in front of you, thinking about how you could extend the information you offer, what other data may be interesting or what may arouse the interviewer's curiosity.
Think about everything that appears written, for all this and more you must have an answer to: How was your stay at school, at the University? Where, how and why did you get your skills and/or knowledge that are not part of academic life? Why did you leave or get fired from previous jobs? What do you think you can contribute to the company in case of your hiring?
2. Find information about the company you want to enter
Before the search, do a careful reading of the advertisement of the job offer, it will usually tell you something about the interests of the employer. The knowledge you have about the characteristics or business of your potential employer, its size, products, services, or a recent news event, always impresses the interviewer and will give you confidence. Check out articles about the company in newspapers and magazines.
Tip: Don't ask questions about benefits or salary during the first interview. To address the topic 'company', it will help you for example: "I know that the company seeks to position itself in the market, and I am interested in being part of the team that is responsible for fulfilling that objective".
3. Make a list with the doubts you have
Write a list with all the doubts that arise about the job and the company. If during the interview you see the right time to do them, you can take out the paper and read them quietly. This will show that you have prepared yourself and are interested.
Do not ask the first exchange for the schedule, salary, vacations or the type of contract. It is better that those topics are brought up by the interviewer. Of course, have the conditions in which you want to work and the economic range that you would like to charge in case they ask you.
4. Remember, they will tell you to talk about yourself
The question has a very clear objective thought out by the recruiter: to find out what you have to offer as an employee to the company. He is not interested in your personal life, if anything where you were born, how old you are. It's normal to be nervous before a job interview, but think: they're not going to ask you anything you don't know.
Focus on talking about your professional work life. How you work on a day-to-day basis, in which areas you have experience and why you can be a valuable asset to an organization. Other questions are: 'what are your strengths and weaknesses?', 'do you prefer to work with people or do you prefer to work alone?', or, 'if I were to ask your friends or family about you, how do you think they would define you?' .
5. How to answer challenging questions?
Do not worry if you have little work experience, talk about your motivation and interest in the company, make your enthusiasm and high capacity to put your knowledge into practice and learn every day visible. Questions about salary are usually uncomfortable, it is better not to risk giving a figure without having investigated it. Try to adjust to what is offered and the level of the position.
If you have been fired, do not grieve, remember that the circumstances may be different. When questioning, try to clearly state the reasons and without going into details, or establishing value judgments or criticism of any kind that are negative.
For more personal questions, such as religion, politics, sexuality, personal failures, you must answer politely, courteously, but above all without committing yourself. Sometimes it is better to express that you do not consider the question relevant to fill the job.
6. Take care of body language
Your body language can express more about your personality. Always adopt an upright posture. Nothing worse than being hunched over, as it reflects laziness, indecision, and lack of professionalism. Avoid all kinds of nervous movements with your hands or feet. Smile. Employers always prefer a cheerful and enthusiastic candidate to someone who seems hostile or stressed. However, try not to overdo it. Fake smiles and forced humor are also not recommended.
Remember, hands should be within sight of the interviewer. Use your arms to support and reinforce what you say, but be careful with exaggerated gestures. Also be careful with the movement of feet and legs, sometimes it is unconscious and can betray you.
7. Avoid badmouthing your previous job
Experts say that it is a serious mistake to complain about how badly you are treated or treated in your company and that is why you want to change jobs.
Focus on the new goals you seek to achieve and the challenges you expect in a new company. If you speak negatively about the company, boss or colleagues from your previous job, you will give a bad impression, even if you are right. Talk about improvement and growth, not about dissatisfaction. It is not bad to mention that you feel stagnant or that you do not think you have more opportunities in your current company, but always highlighting that desire to advance in your working life.
8. Sell your skills
Your experience, knowledge or simply your interest make you the right person for that position; Always remember. You have to convey that idea. Leave insecurity aside and sell yourself without hesitation. This is the time to speak well of yourself, highlight your skills, qualities and experience. For example, "The experience I have acquired in X area allows me to have the necessary skills to meet and exceed your expectations of the position."
9. This is how you should end the interview
The job title is important to you, but so is who interviews you. If you can and there is time, ask some of the questions that you previously prepared regarding your interest in the job. The last question could be the one about the probable date in which they will make a decision. Be grateful, re-express your interest in working with the company, and leave the place.
At an appropriate time, ask one of the interviewers to give you a business card. See if you can call in a couple of days.
10. Final recommendations
Dress formal. Introduce yourself, don't wait for the interviewer to make the first move. He shakes hands, with confidence and professionalism. He shows that you have energy and enthusiasm to fill the position. Listen carefully to the interviewer.
Make eye contact and answer questions thoughtfully and honestly. You don't have to be refined, or educated, just be correct. Think that the immense wealth of Castilian in elaborate words does not have to be known by your interlocutor. There are more formal and more common words that you will surely understand perfectly.