8 helpful rules for getting ready to an interview

These are 8 principles that a potential job candidate should follow during a job interview.

Employer Knowledge

Explore the Company:

Learn as much as possible about the company you want to work for. Visit the company's website, read about its history, mission, values, and business goals. Look for information about the organizational culture, company structure, and the product or service it offers.

*Understanding these aspects is fundamental and is often expected by employers. However, it's equally important to familiarize yourself with the company's offerings and possibly its completed projects. Companies often share this information on their websites and social media. Lack of preparation and failure to answer this question can disqualify a candidate who, in the eyes of the employer, did not make enough effort to get to know the company they are applying to.

Personal Appearance

Creating a positive first impression is crucial during a job interview. Here are a few details to consider:

Outfit

Choose an appropriate outfit that aligns with the company's culture. It's usually better to be slightly more formal than too casually dressed.

If you're unsure about the appropriate attire, opting for a classic business outfit is generally a safe choice. Men may choose a suit or blazer, while women may opt for an elegant dress or suit.

Avoid bold patterns or overly bright colors. Classic, subdued colors are usually a safe bet. After being hired, the dress code may turn out to be less formal, such as casual wear like shorts or flip-flops. However, it's recommended to play it safe and dress professionally, even if the workplace is more laid-back.

Personal Hygiene

Prior to the job interview, take care of personal hygiene. Take a shower, shave (if appropriate for you), wash your hair, and trim your nails. Avoid overly intense perfumes or deodorants that may be overwhelming. A subtle scent is sufficient. Ensure that your clothing is clean and ironed. Believe it or not, employers pay attention to this.

Hair and Makeup

Keep your hairstyle neat and well-groomed. If you have long hair, consider tying it back to avoid distractions during the interview. If you use makeup, aim for a natural and subtle look. Makeup shouldn't divert attention from your communication. It's better to go for a less provocative look for the interview.

Accessories

When choosing accessories, try to keep them subtle and not too flashy. Avoid excessive jewelry or other embellishments.

Attitude

In addition to attire and hygiene, your attitude also matters. Strive to be confident but not arrogant. Smile, be polite, and behave professionally. Avoid negative reactions to stress or uncertainty. If you fidget or tap your foot nervously, address it to avoid distractions.

*Remember that the final choice of attire and hygiene depends on the company culture you're applying to. In some industries and companies, a more relaxed approach to dressing may be accepted, but generally, opting for a professional and tidy appearance is a safe bet. This will help you create a positive first impression and show respect for the employer and the recruitment process.

Clear and Understandable Communication

Avoid Technical Language

Whenever possible, avoid using overly technical or specialized language that may be unclear to those outside your field. If using professional terminology is necessary, try to explain it in a simple and understandable way.

Avoid Industry Jargon

Unless you're certain that the interviewer is familiar with specific industry terms, it's better to avoid using them or explain what they exactly mean. Remember not to 'overwhelm' the potential employer and be too 'smart.' There will be a time, once you're hired, to showcase your knowledge and skills.

Be Specific with Examples

Strive to present your thoughts in a specific manner and illustrate them with examples from your professional life. Instead of general statements like 'I am very organized,' say something like: 'During my work at the previous company, I organized a project that saved us 15% of the budget.' If you haven't worked before, provide examples of your organizational skills in household duties or other relevant contexts.

Avoid Uncertain Answers

When answering questions, try to avoid vagueness or generalizations. Answers like 'it depends' or 'maybe yes, maybe no' are not satisfying for the interviewer. If you're unsure about the answer to a specific question, it's better to admit it and promise to provide accurate information after careful consideration.

Listen to the Interviewer's Feedback

During the interview, be attentive to the interviewer's reactions. If you notice that they are confused or did not understand your answer, try to explain it in a simpler way.

Focus on Questions:

Try to answer specific questions that are asked. Do not veer off to other topics or avoid answering.

You can ask for additional explanations or clarification if needed, especially if you feel that you do not fully understand the question.

Powtarzaj pytania:

Jeśli masz wątpliwości, czy dobrze zrozumiałeś pytanie, możesz je spokojnie powtórzyć, aby upewnić się, że jesteś na właściwej ścieżce.

*Jasna komunikacja jest kluczowym elementem, który pomaga zrozumieć Twoje umiejętności, doświadczenie i potencjał jako kandydata. Dzięki temu możesz zaprezentować się jako profesjonalista, który potrafi efektywnie komunikować się w miejscu pracy.

Listening and Analysis

Attentive listening is a key element of an effective job interview. Here are some details on how to listen carefully during a recruitment conversation:

Focus

Concentrate on the speaker and what they are saying. Eliminate all other sources of distraction, such as your mobile phone or other thoughts.

Eye Contact

Maintain eye contact with the speaker. This shows your engagement and attention.

Active Listening

Practice active listening, which means showing the speaker that you understand what they are saying. For example, nodding your head or confirming 'I understand' at appropriate moments.

Avoid Interrupting Your Thought Process

Try not to think about your response while the speaker is talking. Focus on listening, and then think about your response.

Questions and Explanations

If you don't understand something or need additional information, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. You can say, 'Could you please explain that further?'

Openness to Different Perspectives

Be open to different perspectives and ideas presented by the speaker. This can positively influence your understanding of the company's needs. Try not to express negative opinions immediately. You can always say, 'It's an interesting topic, requiring a broader connection and needs more time to think and find the best solution.' This will show the interviewer that you want to do your best, not just settle for 'okay.'

Recording Information

Try to record important information during the conversation. You can take notes that will help you better understand the company's expectations and needs. Ask the interviewer if it's okay; it will be appreciated. Rarely will they disallow it, and it shows your commitment.

Confirming Understanding

After the speaker finishes, you can briefly summarize what you heard to confirm understanding. For example: 'If I understood correctly, the company expects the new employee to be responsible for project management.' But don't overdo it; frequent summarizing can 'annoy' the speaker.

Value of Information

After the interview, use the gathered information in your responses. This way, you'll show that you listened carefully and are ready to adapt to the company's expectations.

*Attentive listening during a job interview helps understand the employer's expectations and tailor your responses and reactions, potentially increasing your chances of securing the position. It also showcases your communication skills and respect for the interviewer, which is crucial in a recruitment context.

Highlighting Your Skills

Emphasizing your skills and experience relevant to a specific position is a crucial part of a job interview. Here are some details on how to do it effectively:

Identification of Key Skills

Before the interview, carefully analyze the job posting and understand the skills expected from candidates. Focus on those skills that align best with your experience and qualifications.

Preparation of Specific Examples

Prepare specific examples from your professional life that illustrate your skills and achievements. Try to choose examples directly related to the company's expectations for candidates.

Emphasizing Achievements

Don't limit yourself to listing skills; emphasize the results you achieved through your skills. Talk about specific successes and the impact your actions had in previous roles.

Alignment with Company Needs

During the interview, highlight how your skills and experience can bring value to the company and contribute to solving its problems or achieving goals. Try to tailor your responses to the specific needs and expectations of the company.

Soft Skills

Don't forget about soft skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, or creativity. They are as important as technical skills. Even if it's not your strong suit, it's not an unattainable skill; you can work on it once you're hired.

Balanced Approach

Don't overdo self-promotion. Try to present your skills in a way that is attractive to the company, but at the same time, maintain humility and show that you are ready to learn and develop. Potential employers don't like 'smart alecks.' You'll have time to 'shine' later. Be humble during the job interview, and you'll go far.

Questions and Answers

Answer recruiter questions in a way that highlights your skills. For example, if asked about 'your greatest achievement,' provide a specific achievement that utilizes your key skills. If you don't have professional achievements, share an example from your personal life, something you are okay with, or a challenge you faced, etc. For instance, 'I hitchhiked to the seaside because I didn't have money to do it by car, and I really wanted to be there.'

Ask Questions

Whenever possible, ask questions that allow you to emphasize your skills. You can inquire about projects that will require specific skills that set you apart.

Listen to Interviewer's Feedback

Listen to feedback and questions from the interviewer to better understand which skills are most important to the company and how you can highlight them. If criticized, don't get upset. Often, the person you're talking to does it intentionally to see your reaction. Unfortunately, you're in an interview, and such actions show how you respond to uncomfortable situations.

Examples from Professional Life

Illustrating your answers with examples from previous workplaces is an effective way to demonstrate how you handled various professional situations. Here are a few examples:

Project Management:

Example: 'In my previous job, I was responsible for managing the implementation of a new IT system. This process required coordinating the work of a team of programmers, testers, and end-users.'

Details: Describe the project's goals, challenges you faced, specific steps you took to achieve the goals, and the project's outcomes. Show how your skills and actions contributed to success.

Conflict Resolution:

Example: 'In my role as a team manager, I witnessed a conflict between two team members that was affecting work efficiency. I decided to take action to resolve this conflict.'

Details: Describe the sources of the conflict, the techniques or approaches you applied to help the team find a common solution, and the effects of that resolution. Highlight your interpersonal skills and conflict management abilities.

Actions for Effectiveness:

Example: 'In one of my previous positions, I noticed that customer service processes were inefficient. I proposed and implemented changes that significantly improved response times to customer inquiries.'

Details: Describe your observations of process problems, the specific changes you introduced to enhance efficiency, and the results of those actions. Show how your initiative and skills influenced the organization.

Financial Achievements:

Example: 'In my role as a financial analyst, I identified areas where the company was unnecessarily losing funds. Thanks to my analyses and recommendations, the company saved 10% of the annual budget.'

Details: Describe your specific analyses and recommendations, the measures you took to achieve these savings, and the outcomes of these actions. Emphasize your analytical and financial management skills.

*When providing examples, it's important to make them specific, include details, and highlight the results of your actions. Show how your skills and actions led to positive changes in the workplace. This helps the interviewer better understand your competencies and achievements. If this is your first job, provide examples from your personal life. This also demonstrates how you handle such situations.

Positive Attitude

Maintaining a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm during a job interview can significantly impact your chances of securing a position.

Preparation and Enthusiasm:

Start the conversation by expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to work in the company. You can say something like: 'I'm very excited to discuss this position. I am particularly interested in working for your company because of: (mention your own reason, e.g., the company's reputation, values, mission)'

Expressing Gratitude:

During the interview, express gratitude for the opportunity to discuss employment in the company. You can say something like: 'Thank you very much for the opportunity to talk. I am impressed with what the company has achieved, and I would like to contribute.'

Talking About Positive Experiences:

Pay attention to positive experiences and achievements from previous workplaces during the interview. Emphasize the satisfaction and joy your tasks and collaboration with the team brought you.

Problem Solving with a Positive Approach:

When discussing challenges and problems you've encountered, focus on the positive aspect—what solutions you applied and what results your actions yielded.

Activity and Engagement:

Demonstrate your commitment and willingness to work collaboratively with the team and contribute to the company's goals. Emphasize that you are open to learning and developing your skills.

Smile:

It's beneficial to display positive emotions during the interview. Smile and express a friendly attitude toward the interviewer.

Questions

Preparing a few thoughtful questions during a job interview is important as it demonstrates your interest in the company and the position. It also allows you to gather valuable information about a potential employer. Here are some examples of questions you can ask:

What are the biggest challenges the company is currently facing?

This question will help you understand the main priorities of the company and whether you are ready to address them.

What are the expected goals for this position in the coming year?

This will help you understand the specific goals you will need to achieve in the new position.

What are the development prospects for this position?

You will find out if the company invests in the development of its employees and if there are opportunities for advancement.

What is the work environment and company culture like?

This question will help you determine if your values and cultural preferences align with what the company offers.

What are the typical career paths for employees in this position?

This question will help you understand if there are opportunities for professional development in this position.

What projects or initiatives is the company currently undertaking?

This will allow you to learn more about the current projects and activities of the company and its priorities.

Does the company invest in developing employees' skills? Does it offer training or support for professional development?

This question will help you understand if the company supports the development of employees' skills and if there are opportunities for learning and growth.

What are the company's plans for the future?

This question will help you understand how the company plans to grow and how you can contribute to its success.

Is there anything, according to you, that is important and has not been discussed during this interview?

This question gives the recruiter a chance to address other important issues and may provide additional information. It also shows that you care about ensuring everything is clarified during the job interview because you are eager to get the job, and thanks to this situation, the interviewer will not wonder if something has been forgotten because you reminded them.

*Remember that questions should be well-thought-out and reflect your genuine interests and needs. Asking questions shows that you are engaged in the recruitment process and ready to understand whether the job offer aligns with your expectations and career goals.