The Job Interview: Key Reminders
4 August 2014
Read by 4690 persons
A crucial step in the recruitment process, the interview is also the most feared... Indeed, your every gesture and word is scrutinized, analyzed, and dissected.
How can you, with minimal preparation, overcome this very particular oral test?
Good preparation
For every candidate, the adventure begins as soon as the appointment is made. Most often, this is done by phone, and recruiters can, from this first contact, detect your motivation and possibly record some information about you.
So be careful what you say about your current situation (availability, functions performed, etc.) so that you don't contradict yourself later in the interview. This would not be well received.
- Get informed.
Once you hang up the phone, don't just sit around until the big day.
Be serious! You're not called for an interview every day! Take the time to properly and precisely inform yourself about the company that will receive you.
Start with websites (type the company name, followed by .ma or .com). If this search yields nothing, contact the company directly to request an information brochure or, if you prefer to remain discreet, consult the informative pages of the invaluable Kompass.
- Talk about yourself.
Once you're informed, it's essential to prepare for this exercise... Even if you're quite comfortable communicating.
Your daily conversations, with friends or family, rarely involve convincing someone for over an hour that you are the best person for job X!
Prepare a short three-minute speech to introduce yourself without stammering, contradicting yourself, or searching for words.
Start with your education, then detail your internships and experiences.
Never go into detail (it doesn't matter the name of your high school or the exact date you started at the company where you interned...).
This little exercise will be useful whenever a recruiter says: "Tell me about yourself..." or "Tell me about your background..." or conversely says nothing at all, waiting for you to take the initiative to speak.
- Know your CV by heart.
This work must always be accompanied by another, more direct preparation. Some recruiters will adopt the questioning method, commenting on each stage of your career.
You must know your CV perfectly to be able to follow along when you are asked: "So, in 1996, you started your first year of DEUG in economics, is that right?"
This first step is minimal compared to the time you will then have to spend preparing an answer for each question that could be asked of you.
Put yourself in the shoes of the person who will interview you and imagine yourself on the day. Project yourself.
And while keeping the position to be filled as your guiding principle, always remember to reassure your interviewer. For them, only the reliability of their judgment counts.
By selecting you, they must be sure to make the right choice. If, in addition, you manage to be witty and engaging, the deal will be almost in the bag...
- The scenario begins in the elevator...
All this training simply aims to give you confidence in yourself, but don't let this relax your attention; you must remain vigilant until the end.
- Your attire and behavior must be impeccable.
Don't neglect, for example, to say hello to the secretary, the people around you, who are introduced to you. Or not.
This reveals a part of your personality.
Also know that the recruiter often observes future candidates, whether in the street, in the elevator, or after the interview...
In general, you should spontaneously know how to say hello and smile at your interlocutors. If this attitude is not spontaneous in you, force the issue somewhat on the day of the interview and think about it at least five hundred meters before and after crossing the entrance door of the company.
- Introduce yourself well.
Once inside, you have a few minutes to make a favorable impression.
Don't arrive breathless and disheveled.
Offer a firm and direct handshake.
Look your interviewer in the eyes.
Say hello and introduce yourself: your first name, your last name, and the reason for your presence.
You will have already gained a few points...
Then all you have to do is maintain behavior consistent with your words and personality.
The ReKrute.com team
How can you, with minimal preparation, overcome this very particular oral test?
Good preparation
For every candidate, the adventure begins as soon as the appointment is made. Most often, this is done by phone, and recruiters can, from this first contact, detect your motivation and possibly record some information about you.
So be careful what you say about your current situation (availability, functions performed, etc.) so that you don't contradict yourself later in the interview. This would not be well received.
- Get informed.
Once you hang up the phone, don't just sit around until the big day.
Be serious! You're not called for an interview every day! Take the time to properly and precisely inform yourself about the company that will receive you.
Start with websites (type the company name, followed by .ma or .com). If this search yields nothing, contact the company directly to request an information brochure or, if you prefer to remain discreet, consult the informative pages of the invaluable Kompass.
- Talk about yourself.
Once you're informed, it's essential to prepare for this exercise... Even if you're quite comfortable communicating.
Your daily conversations, with friends or family, rarely involve convincing someone for over an hour that you are the best person for job X!
Prepare a short three-minute speech to introduce yourself without stammering, contradicting yourself, or searching for words.
Start with your education, then detail your internships and experiences.
Never go into detail (it doesn't matter the name of your high school or the exact date you started at the company where you interned...).
This little exercise will be useful whenever a recruiter says: "Tell me about yourself..." or "Tell me about your background..." or conversely says nothing at all, waiting for you to take the initiative to speak.
- Know your CV by heart.
This work must always be accompanied by another, more direct preparation. Some recruiters will adopt the questioning method, commenting on each stage of your career.
You must know your CV perfectly to be able to follow along when you are asked: "So, in 1996, you started your first year of DEUG in economics, is that right?"
This first step is minimal compared to the time you will then have to spend preparing an answer for each question that could be asked of you.
Put yourself in the shoes of the person who will interview you and imagine yourself on the day. Project yourself.
And while keeping the position to be filled as your guiding principle, always remember to reassure your interviewer. For them, only the reliability of their judgment counts.
By selecting you, they must be sure to make the right choice. If, in addition, you manage to be witty and engaging, the deal will be almost in the bag...
- The scenario begins in the elevator...
All this training simply aims to give you confidence in yourself, but don't let this relax your attention; you must remain vigilant until the end.
- Your attire and behavior must be impeccable.
Don't neglect, for example, to say hello to the secretary, the people around you, who are introduced to you. Or not.
This reveals a part of your personality.
Also know that the recruiter often observes future candidates, whether in the street, in the elevator, or after the interview...
In general, you should spontaneously know how to say hello and smile at your interlocutors. If this attitude is not spontaneous in you, force the issue somewhat on the day of the interview and think about it at least five hundred meters before and after crossing the entrance door of the company.
- Introduce yourself well.
Once inside, you have a few minutes to make a favorable impression.
Don't arrive breathless and disheveled.
Offer a firm and direct handshake.
Look your interviewer in the eyes.
Say hello and introduce yourself: your first name, your last name, and the reason for your presence.
You will have already gained a few points...
Then all you have to do is maintain behavior consistent with your words and personality.
The ReKrute.com team
