I often get the questions about how to prepare for an interview, what kind of questions can be asked or just what to expect. Below, you will find a couple of suggestions, which in my opinion, can be helpful to make a better impression and to reduce stress a little bit.
Prepare for the interview:
- Read the company information
- Check social media and YouTube
- Read about culture and benefits
- Examine the advertisement
- Visit LinkedIn. Not only the company profile. You can also look at the profiles of people with whom the conversation will take place. You will feel better knowing who to expect for a conversation.
Some candidates answer ‘I don’t remember’ to questions about details from their CV. This isn’t professional. Of course, I am not talking about a situation when we ask about facts that took place a few years ago, but this doesn’t change the fact that it is worth checking your CV and LinkedIn. Prepare the scope of duties mentioned in the CV, the projects in which you participated, the technologies used, and the challenges you experienced.
Don’t lie
You’ll leave a bad impression and might become an anecdote in the company for several generations of recruiters. This also applies to the technologies you use. Enter the ones with which you have had contact, do not overstate your level, but also try not to understate it. This can be difficult, but how you present yourself during the conversation is of great importance. Remember to answer to the point. If the recruiter asks you about the last project, don’t talk about all the projects. If the recruiter wants to know more details, he will ask you.
If you do something interesting outside of work that can be useful at work, talk about it. Mention if you are participating in an interesting project or have created an application. You will show that work is also your passion. This is important for a recruiter when choosing a new employee. You may be asked how you learn, what book or an interesting article you have recently read. Prepare for this.
A large part of your job interview involves questions about your experience, but there are also behavioural questions. These examine how you behave and how you react in specific situations, the focus here being on soft skills, such as communication, stress management and leadership. Find out which soft skills the company expects. Look at YouTube and social media to learn about the company’s culture. Also, provide information on your financial expectations and the notice period.
Prepare in advance any questions you would like to ask
If you’re stressed, you may forget them, and you can bring a notebook with your own answers. The conversation is two-sided: the company wants to meet you and see if you fit into their requirements and culture. The company usually looks for employees who will work longer and fit into the team, in which the new employee will feel good and be able to grow. If you try to sell yourself by force, it may happen that after a short time, you will be looking for a new place. It is better to rethink your choice of an employer than to expose yourself to stress, wasting time.
Sleep well
There is nothing worse than a blasé candidate. Also, if you feel unwell, postpone the meeting – the recruiter will also understand. If you know that you will be late, or you do not want to come for an interview – also let them know. A recruiter won’t invite back a candidate who didn’t show up without a good explanation. And even with an explanation, the recruiter will think about this slip-up at the back of their head.
To sum up, you must come to the interview prepared, a few minutes ahead of time, dressed according to the company’s culture. Answer to the point and without lying. Remember to smile. People on the other side of the table care that the interview goes well and want to hire you. Proper preparation will help you fight stress. Recruiters know well that you may be stressed and will try to create a pleasant atmosphere. After the meeting, it’s worth sending an e-mail of thanks for the invitation. This behaviour is so rare and will make the recruiter happy.