• 25.10.2016

Poured by Dejan Madjoski

The process of applying for a specific job position until making the final decision consists several stages. Certainly one of the most important is the job interview. It is “your 5 minutes” and an opportunity to show yourself best in order to get the job. Whether it will result in success depends on the way you present yourself.

Why the interview is the most important part of the whole process?

Before you come to an interview you have submitted an application, CV, Cover Letter and so on. The fact that you are invited to the interview, you’ve certainly done a good job in preparing these documents. But that’s the easy part. Today, thousands of examples of how to fill these documents can be found on internet, so it is up to you to select the appropriate example and complete your documents on that template.

On the way how to prepare yourself for an interview there are also many sources, but the difference here is that you did not create the end result by yourself, under your own terms and without any pressure, you create it with your behavior and your responses during the interview. And while the selection based on a biography usually results with several selected candidates, the interview result with a selection of only one – the best.

In order you to be that candidate you should stand out and make a strong impression. It may sound difficult or unreachable, but basically there are few things to look out and they will do a good part of the work. In addition, we will try to capture the most important.

Be on time

The delay is one of the first things that you will be remembered for. It has a negative impact on the whole impression you leave. Therefore, unless it is about a thing that is beyond your control, you cannot be late for your interview. Excuses like “there were too many traffic jams” or “missed the bus” is not an excuse.

To avoid the above mentioned start preparing at least half an hour earlier than usual. A day or two before the interview, check the location and make sure you know exactly where to go. Use Google Maps or even better, if you are not sure where exactly the interview will be, go to the spot.

If something really went out of control, then try to get in touch with the interviewers or those who have organized the interview, inform them that you will be late, telling them the reason for it.

Be prepared for the interview

There are several things you should do to prepare yourself for the interview. First thing is to know who you are and how to present yourself appropriately. This means, to know in details your previous experience and expertise that you have, to know your CV, but also to know who you really are outside of what is written there. This is because interviewers already have read your CV. What would they want to learn is something that it does not stand in those 2-3 pages of paper. Therefore, interviews often begin with the question “Could you introduce yourself?” So if you have not already prepared an introductory presentation that will make you stand out from other candidates, do that before the next interview.

The other part of the preparation for the interview is to explore the position you are applying for, the company, industry, interviewers and management team. With the information available online and the pages as Google, LinkedIn, but also social networks like Facebook and Twitter, you can reach a lot of useful information. You can also use your network of acquaintances, business associates and friends to learn more about them. Finally, as a part of the preparation, bring an extra copy of your CV and additional documents you think you would be required.

A proper look

The first impression is really important. What interviewers will conclude for you among other things it depends on how you’re dressed. So dress appropriately in a way the employees in the organization to which you apply dress. For example, if you go for an interview at a bank, do not forget shirt and coat, depending on the position, and a tie. If you applied in the IT company, then tie would not be needed, but also do not show up in jeans and T-shirt. These companies may have employees who go to work in jeans, but the interview is not the time to start to feel as “at home”.

A way of sitting and using the appropriate language

Next thing that has great impact on the impression you leave is the way you sit, body language and the words you use. Sit upright, maintain eye contact and pay attention to gestures and facial expressions. Furthermore, use polite vocabulary that will highlight your level of education. Using jargon, slang or even more using the swearwords, hate speech or other inappropriate words will move you far from the chances to get a job more than you think. Do not tell jokes or try to amuse. It will not give an impression that you have a sense of humor. Instead, it can create an image of frivolous person.

Also, one of the traps that you should avoid is the way you talk about your hobbies and things you want to do. The passion and the emotions that you express while talking about these things should be at least approximately at same level with those you show while talking about work.

Finally, we should remind you to switch off the mobile phone and other devices that can be a distraction, and to not chew a gum.

When the topic of conversation is your current or previous managers and companies

Maybe you really want to “escape” from the current company and maybe your manager is extremely negative person, but that is not something that you should highlight or elaborate on the interview. Instead, when you talk about this subject at least try to be neutral because speaking negatively you can leave a negative impression of a person with a lack of loyalty and respect.

Interviewers may ask you questions such as “Tell me about a situation where you had a disagreement or argument with your manager?” Or “… when you did not agree with him,” “What have you done in that situation? How have you reacted? “And so on. Before you answer these questions keep in mind that if you are chosen for the position one of the interviewers may be your future manager and during the interview he/she will want to assess how well he/she can cooperate with you. So be careful what you say.

Tell the truth

Although at some point you might think that a small lie or hiding the truth could increase your chances of success, however keep in mind that it is possible the lie to be noticed. Often interviewers ask questions for which they already know the answer, they just want to see what you will say or to hear your opinion. The same goes for exaggeration which can also easily be recognized or be the subject of a trick question. These two things will surely destroy the chances to get the job no matter how good impression you have left by then.

Answering personal questions

During the conversation, interviewers may ask you about your personal experiences. Our advice is not go into too many personal details or expressing excessive emotion. Keep professional distance and answer the same way as with issues related to business the experience.

Ask the right questions

Asking questions from your side can be a double benefit. First, you will get more information about the position, company and people. And second, you show that you are interested in the work and you want to learn more. That is why you should never go to an interview without suing the opportunity to ask questions. Of course, this opportunity should not be used for any questions because the questions you ask tells about you as much as the answers you give. So, to ask about the salary and bonuses on a first interview would be a mistake. That could leave the impression that you are more interested in money than in other details of the job. Other things that are not recommended to ask on your first interview are details about the employment contract, working hours, daily allowances, overtime and payment of the same and so on. Leave these things for the final interview that could be agreeing on the working conditions. Instead of that, ask about the challenges of the job, the team in which you will work, company culture, as they define success and so on. Also, be careful to whom you ask the questions i.e. the right questions are addressed to the right people. For example, ask the Human Resources (HR) manager about the challenges in the workplace if it is not in the same sector. The answer would have to give the sector manager. Or, do not ask the sector manager about the employment contract details. The answer would have to give the HR manager.

Be careful not to “steal” the interview with too much talking or dominating during the conversation

Perhaps you are a person who likes to talk, wants to dominate or wants to be in the center of attention. However, now is not the time for it. Let the interviewer to keep the control over the interview and the agenda in order to be able to cover all areas needed to make the right decision. If happen you to “steal” the interview, it may mean that the interviewers will not have a chance to ask all questions and get all the necessary information about you. Hence, the chances to continue will be reduced.

State your key skills and show what you could do for them

Say and if possible demonstrate what you’re really good in and what differentiates you from other candidates. After you present your key skills, say how you would use them to help in achieving the team and company goals. Simply tell how you would make a difference.

Show enthusiasm, energy and confidence

One of those things that interviewers assess on the candidates is how enthusiastic they are, how much they really love the work and how well they think they can do the job. They will also try to feel the energy and confidence that you have while talking about things that you can do or challenges you have to deal with. Therefore, during the interview you should constantly be aware of these three elements and try to control it in a way that you will present yourself in a best light. This is certainly not easy and requires practice, but it is worth to try and exercise because often these elements tend to be decisive in the decision to select.

Contact them after the interview

Always contact the interviewers after the interview. Most of the candidates will not do so and therefore this is your chance to stand out from the rest.

Besides expressing gratitude, take this opportunity to highlight your strengths and to show enthusiasm about the position and the challenges that come with it. Also, if you think you have not shown your best use the opportunity to correct things. Finally, once again express your interest in the job.