Optimize Your Job Interview: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for a Lasting Impression

9 October 2018 Read by 15477 persons

 

 

Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced job seeker, a job interview shouldn't necessarily be an intimidating experience. An interview is an opportunity for you and the employer to decide if you are the ideal candidate for a position.

Here is a step-by-step description of a typical interview, with details on what to expect throughout the appointment.

1- The pre-interview phase

Before the interview, you have probably already completed several steps in the application process. This is called the "pre-interview phase." During this phase, you had to submit your resume, cover letter, and possibly other documents requested by the recruiter. You may have even had a phone interview with the manager before being invited to a physical interview. So, even before the interview, the recruiter knows a little about your background and skills. You should be confident, because you have been invited to an interview because the manager thinks you could be a good candidate for the position!


2- The interview phase: the beginning

Most interviews are one-on-one interviews with the manager you will work most closely with within the company. You will sometimes meet a human resources employee who manages the company's hiring processes.

3- The interview phase: types of questions

No two interviews will be exactly alike; each recruiter will ask slightly different questions. However, most recruiters ask questions to assess both your general behavior and your skills. Below are a few types of questions you can expect in a job interview:
   

  • Verification questions: You will be asked to provide information about yourself, such as your type of diploma, the number of years spent at your last job, etc. The recruiter may already know some of these answers and is therefore simply verifying the facts mentioned on your resume.
  • Skills questions: The recruiter may ask you questions to find out what behavior you adopted in a certain situation. This is a question where the interviewer asks you to describe a past situation where you demonstrated a particular quality. These questions indicate how you can handle similar situations in a new job. Here is an example: "Describe the most difficult challenge you faced in your last job. How did you handle it?"
  • Situational questions: A situational question is a question in which the recruiter describes a hypothetical situation and the candidate must explain how they would have handled it. With this type of question, the interviewer aims to find out how you will handle situations that may arise in the workplace.

 

4- Other types of interviews:

  • Group interviews

One type of group interview you may participate in is an interview where a recruiter interviews you simultaneously with other candidates. In this scenario, the interviewer may ask each of you to answer the same questions or ask different questions to each of you. Sometimes, you will be asked to solve hypothetical problems as a team.
Whether or not you are in a group interview, the questions in your interview will probably remain a mix of verification, skills, and situational questions.


5- The interview phase: after the questions

After the recruiter has asked you questions, they will probably ask if you have any questions for them. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the company and the position. This also gives you another chance to sell yourself to the recruiter. Again, the interview is your chance to see if the job is right for you, so don't hesitate to ask questions.

6- The post-interview phase

The next step in the job application process, the "post-interview phase," takes place in the days following the interview. This is when the hiring manager (and anyone else involved in the hiring process) decides whether or not you are fit to fill the position.


Most companies will respond with a "yes" or "no" within a week or two, although some companies take even longer to respond (especially if they conduct interviews over a long period). Some companies unfortunately only respond if the company still has to choose between several candidates; you may be asked to come back for a new series of interviews. Remember that no interview is a waste of time, even if you didn't get the job or decided it wasn't ideal for you. Each interview offers the opportunity to practice your skills and to decide on the types of jobs and organizations that best suit your personality, interests, and skills.