The Right Attitude in an Interview
3 October 2013
Read by 3028 persons
The distance learning organization EDUCATEL has decided to help you in your job search. The interview stage is crucial for your hiring and it is better to be prepared, in order to have all the keys in hand to conduct an interview that opens the doors to your new job. The techniques suggested here may seem obvious, but it is better to refresh your memory before your interview than to bite your fingers afterwards.
1) Keys to get off to a good start
Whether it's your smile or your expressions, the recruiter will be on the lookout for the slightest messages transmitted by your body.
Put a smile on your face
A sincere and relaxed smile opens many doors. It gives the impression that you are a fulfilled person with whom it is pleasant to work. Be enthusiastic but don't overdo it. Talk about your skills and not your needs, candidates are recruited for what they can bring to the company and not because they need to work to make ends meet.
Pay attention to your actions
Not only does the interviewer listen to your answers but he observes your outfit, your body language, your facial expressions, your posture, the way you hold your head and your gestures. If you are a beginner, be dignified. If you are senior, be dynamic.
Start your interview on the right foot
Some experts believe that your future is played out in the first five minutes of the interview, others claim that you only have sixty seconds to make a good impression. Here are some tips to help you get off to a good start:
Choose what you are going to wear in advance and go and check out the interview location
Be on time, be pleasant with the receptionist, read an economic magazine while you wait and, needless to say, don't smoke and don't chew gum.
Think about what you will say when you enter to break the ice. For example, you can admire the office furniture, the choice of colors or the paintings hanging on the wall. However, avoid dwelling on this, the best being the enemy of good.
Don't sit down until you have been invited to do so or before the interviewer and don't be the first to shake hands.
During the interview, mention the interviewer's name (definitely not the first name) as often as possible without however insisting heavily. Always maintain eye contact but avoid staring at your interlocutor.
Bring something to take notes with
It is advisable to take some notes but don't spend all your time scribbling in a notebook. You may need, for example, to note a question that you cannot answer from memory to come back to it later. Also remember that writing down what your interlocutor says is flattering to him.
Nothing makes a worse impression than someone who arrives at an interview with their hands in their pockets, without even a notepad to write on, thus giving the image of an amateur who doesn't care.
2) Be open
It's about making the best possible impression on the recruiter: stay positive and develop your answers, observe and listen to your interlocutor.
Stay positive in your words
Don't use any negative terms, like hate or refuse, and avoid controversial topics. For example, there's no need to say why you left your previous position or to recount your incessant arguments with your idiot boss. Never criticize your former superior, your potential employer could take his side and put you out of the game.
Don't answer in one or two words but develop your comments
Communication skills are among the most sought after by employers. Give clear and complete answers. Observe all the rules of courtesy: don't interrupt your interlocutor and don't be rude. If you shouldn't just answer in one or two words, don't try to hide your nervousness behind a continuous flow of words either.
Agree to undergo pre-recruitment tests
If you are asked to take a test, accept or you can say goodbye to the position.
Listen and observe
Don't just focus on your arguments. Listen. If you keep thinking about what you're going to say next, it means your listening skills are deficient. If the interviewer asks you a question that you don't understand, ask for clarification.
Observe your interlocutor. Their body language can express interest (they are leaning forward), boredom (they are staring into space) or the desire to end the interview (they are stacking their papers or getting up).
Interest proves you're on the right track. Don't change anything.
To overcome boredom, stop and ask the following question: "Would you prefer me to tell you more about (...) or my skills in (...)?"
If the interviewer is about to end the interview, go straight to the conclusion you have prepared. Leave the door open for further contact by asking three questions: What is the next step in the recruitment process? When do you plan to make a decision? Can I call you if I have any other questions?
Educatel.fr
Posted online October 3, 2013.
1) Keys to get off to a good start
Whether it's your smile or your expressions, the recruiter will be on the lookout for the slightest messages transmitted by your body.
Put a smile on your face
A sincere and relaxed smile opens many doors. It gives the impression that you are a fulfilled person with whom it is pleasant to work. Be enthusiastic but don't overdo it. Talk about your skills and not your needs, candidates are recruited for what they can bring to the company and not because they need to work to make ends meet.
Pay attention to your actions
Not only does the interviewer listen to your answers but he observes your outfit, your body language, your facial expressions, your posture, the way you hold your head and your gestures. If you are a beginner, be dignified. If you are senior, be dynamic.
Start your interview on the right foot
Some experts believe that your future is played out in the first five minutes of the interview, others claim that you only have sixty seconds to make a good impression. Here are some tips to help you get off to a good start:
Choose what you are going to wear in advance and go and check out the interview location
Be on time, be pleasant with the receptionist, read an economic magazine while you wait and, needless to say, don't smoke and don't chew gum.
Think about what you will say when you enter to break the ice. For example, you can admire the office furniture, the choice of colors or the paintings hanging on the wall. However, avoid dwelling on this, the best being the enemy of good.
Don't sit down until you have been invited to do so or before the interviewer and don't be the first to shake hands.
During the interview, mention the interviewer's name (definitely not the first name) as often as possible without however insisting heavily. Always maintain eye contact but avoid staring at your interlocutor.
Bring something to take notes with
It is advisable to take some notes but don't spend all your time scribbling in a notebook. You may need, for example, to note a question that you cannot answer from memory to come back to it later. Also remember that writing down what your interlocutor says is flattering to him.
Nothing makes a worse impression than someone who arrives at an interview with their hands in their pockets, without even a notepad to write on, thus giving the image of an amateur who doesn't care.
2) Be open
It's about making the best possible impression on the recruiter: stay positive and develop your answers, observe and listen to your interlocutor.
Stay positive in your words
Don't use any negative terms, like hate or refuse, and avoid controversial topics. For example, there's no need to say why you left your previous position or to recount your incessant arguments with your idiot boss. Never criticize your former superior, your potential employer could take his side and put you out of the game.
Don't answer in one or two words but develop your comments
Communication skills are among the most sought after by employers. Give clear and complete answers. Observe all the rules of courtesy: don't interrupt your interlocutor and don't be rude. If you shouldn't just answer in one or two words, don't try to hide your nervousness behind a continuous flow of words either.
Agree to undergo pre-recruitment tests
If you are asked to take a test, accept or you can say goodbye to the position.
Listen and observe
Don't just focus on your arguments. Listen. If you keep thinking about what you're going to say next, it means your listening skills are deficient. If the interviewer asks you a question that you don't understand, ask for clarification.
Observe your interlocutor. Their body language can express interest (they are leaning forward), boredom (they are staring into space) or the desire to end the interview (they are stacking their papers or getting up).
Interest proves you're on the right track. Don't change anything.
To overcome boredom, stop and ask the following question: "Would you prefer me to tell you more about (...) or my skills in (...)?"
If the interviewer is about to end the interview, go straight to the conclusion you have prepared. Leave the door open for further contact by asking three questions: What is the next step in the recruitment process? When do you plan to make a decision? Can I call you if I have any other questions?
Educatel.fr
Posted online October 3, 2013.
