Preparing for a Job Interview
20 October 2006
Read by 2696 persons
A job interview doesn't happen by chance. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, careful preparation is essential. All the tips for success.
As surprising as it may seem, this kind of dialogue commonly occurs during a job interview: "Why did you apply for this job? - Well! That is, my wife saw the ad, so, uh, that's why I applied..." Imagine the effect of this answer on the recruiter...
Yet, the question is not unexpected! "Candidates tell themselves they would never say such things. Yet, that's what they say during mock interviews at the agency," notes Lucile Orléac, employment advisor at the ANPE in Toulouse. "We systematically do this exercise to make them aware that it is absolutely necessary to prepare for the interview, so as not to be caught off guard and to reassure themselves."
The final step
Your CV has been selected, you are among the shortlisted candidates: it would be a shame to spoil your chances because you haven't spent a few hours preparing the final stage of your job search.
Here are 7 tips to follow to improve your chances during a job interview:
1- Take stock of your professional experience
"Good salespeople know their products well. So, to sell yourself well, you need to know yourself well.
Know your skills, your strengths, your weaknesses, your professional background," insists Charles-Henri Dumon, from Michael Page, the leading recruitment firm in France.
"If you don't start any job search with a serious career review, you have every chance of failing during the interview."
2- Find out about the company
If you know the name of the company recruiting you - the ad you responded to is not anonymous -, you should gather as much information as possible about it.
You will be able to get an idea of its activity, its size, its markets, and even its dynamism if press articles have been dedicated to it. This will allow you to better understand its needs.
There are many sources of information.
3- Put yourself in the recruiter's shoes
For them, the interview with the candidate presents a double risk: missing the right person and recruiting the wrong person.
All the questions they ask you aim to limit these risks as much as possible by verifying the match between the proposed position, the skills, and qualities of the candidate.
Perhaps you have already had this experience, for the choice of a nanny, for example, or a home caregiver for an elderly person?
This allows you to imagine the difficulty of choosing the right person... and to regain confidence in yourself: tell yourself that you may be the solution to their problem.
4- Learn the job description by heart
This is essential to answer the famous question "why are you interested in this position?"
You have noted all the requirements of the position to show, by talking about your professional experience and skills, or even your diplomas, that you are the ideal candidate.
5- Practice describing your professional background
"Tell me about your background": 80% of the interview will focus on your professional background, so practice summarizing it clearly, precisely, but not too quickly.
If you are not a beginner, you should allow five minutes for the presentation, which is much longer than you think!
Start with your first job.
Mention your diploma if it is directly related to the position offered: this can only reassure the recruiter. For each position held, cite facts and figures: the name of the company, your exact position, the position of your manager and, if applicable, the number of people you supervised.
If you held a secretarial position, it is not enough to say: "I learned a lot from this boss for two years."
6- Prepare for personal questions
Are you married? Do you have children? Do you plan to have children? (for women, obviously!). What does your spouse do? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
These are the more personal questions you should expect.
As long as they remain in this register, it is difficult to evade them. However, put an end to an interview that would touch on the subject of religious and political beliefs or sexual questions.
Regarding the question of children, answer realistically according to your age and situation.
At 25, you can plan to have them, but not right away. In any case, you have already planned an organization compatible with the requirements of the position.
Regarding the question of strengths and weaknesses, stay on the professional level: you are easygoing, you are rigorous, you are conscientious, etc.
For weaknesses, preferably choose a weakness that does not harm your position and try to minimize it. Example: "I'm rather talkative, but I can control myself!"
7- Ask questions
"I appreciate candidates who are curious about the position I offer them. They need to know what environment they are in," insists the recruitment manager of a service company.
Indeed, the job interview is not one-way.
You also want to know if the company suits you. Ask for details about the position, about the organization of the company.
If it is known that the company lays off employees - it may well be recruiting at the same time -, ask the recruiter for explanations.
You too are looking to reassure yourself!
Dossierfamilial.com
As surprising as it may seem, this kind of dialogue commonly occurs during a job interview: "Why did you apply for this job? - Well! That is, my wife saw the ad, so, uh, that's why I applied..." Imagine the effect of this answer on the recruiter...
Yet, the question is not unexpected! "Candidates tell themselves they would never say such things. Yet, that's what they say during mock interviews at the agency," notes Lucile Orléac, employment advisor at the ANPE in Toulouse. "We systematically do this exercise to make them aware that it is absolutely necessary to prepare for the interview, so as not to be caught off guard and to reassure themselves."
The final step
Your CV has been selected, you are among the shortlisted candidates: it would be a shame to spoil your chances because you haven't spent a few hours preparing the final stage of your job search.
Here are 7 tips to follow to improve your chances during a job interview:
1- Take stock of your professional experience
"Good salespeople know their products well. So, to sell yourself well, you need to know yourself well.
Know your skills, your strengths, your weaknesses, your professional background," insists Charles-Henri Dumon, from Michael Page, the leading recruitment firm in France.
"If you don't start any job search with a serious career review, you have every chance of failing during the interview."
2- Find out about the company
If you know the name of the company recruiting you - the ad you responded to is not anonymous -, you should gather as much information as possible about it.
You will be able to get an idea of its activity, its size, its markets, and even its dynamism if press articles have been dedicated to it. This will allow you to better understand its needs.
There are many sources of information.
3- Put yourself in the recruiter's shoes
For them, the interview with the candidate presents a double risk: missing the right person and recruiting the wrong person.
All the questions they ask you aim to limit these risks as much as possible by verifying the match between the proposed position, the skills, and qualities of the candidate.
Perhaps you have already had this experience, for the choice of a nanny, for example, or a home caregiver for an elderly person?
This allows you to imagine the difficulty of choosing the right person... and to regain confidence in yourself: tell yourself that you may be the solution to their problem.
4- Learn the job description by heart
This is essential to answer the famous question "why are you interested in this position?"
You have noted all the requirements of the position to show, by talking about your professional experience and skills, or even your diplomas, that you are the ideal candidate.
5- Practice describing your professional background
"Tell me about your background": 80% of the interview will focus on your professional background, so practice summarizing it clearly, precisely, but not too quickly.
If you are not a beginner, you should allow five minutes for the presentation, which is much longer than you think!
Start with your first job.
Mention your diploma if it is directly related to the position offered: this can only reassure the recruiter. For each position held, cite facts and figures: the name of the company, your exact position, the position of your manager and, if applicable, the number of people you supervised.
If you held a secretarial position, it is not enough to say: "I learned a lot from this boss for two years."
6- Prepare for personal questions
Are you married? Do you have children? Do you plan to have children? (for women, obviously!). What does your spouse do? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
These are the more personal questions you should expect.
As long as they remain in this register, it is difficult to evade them. However, put an end to an interview that would touch on the subject of religious and political beliefs or sexual questions.
Regarding the question of children, answer realistically according to your age and situation.
At 25, you can plan to have them, but not right away. In any case, you have already planned an organization compatible with the requirements of the position.
Regarding the question of strengths and weaknesses, stay on the professional level: you are easygoing, you are rigorous, you are conscientious, etc.
For weaknesses, preferably choose a weakness that does not harm your position and try to minimize it. Example: "I'm rather talkative, but I can control myself!"
7- Ask questions
"I appreciate candidates who are curious about the position I offer them. They need to know what environment they are in," insists the recruitment manager of a service company.
Indeed, the job interview is not one-way.
You also want to know if the company suits you. Ask for details about the position, about the organization of the company.
If it is known that the company lays off employees - it may well be recruiting at the same time -, ask the recruiter for explanations.
You too are looking to reassure yourself!
Dossierfamilial.com
