Preparing for Selection Interviews
3 September 2013
Read by 2717 persons
Time to prepare to meet your future employer, whatever your situation (actively looking or not...). Here's the situation: you must present yourself next Tuesday at 9:30 am at 485 McGill Street - 6th floor to meet Mr. Nice and Ms. Terror from Paradis Inc.
The goal of this section is to prepare you for selection interviews so you perform to the best of your ability and project the best image of yourself. A selection interview is often short, and you only have about an hour to convince them most of the time.
Whatever your profession, you must be prepared for any type of meeting; you must sell yourself without giving yourself away. The interview is the central point of the selection process and is the keystone of the recruitment process.
You must prepare for selection interviews while being fully aware of the role and limitations of the recruiter. We will identify the different types of recruiters and their role in organizations, as well as how to get the most out of them.
PRELIMINARIES AND PREPARATION
Making an Appointment
A detail, you might say, but did you note down the number, floor, street corner, or metro station? These small details will allow you to arrive on time and without any stress (I always have difficulty with candidates who arrive 30 minutes late, sweating because they went to the wrong address...). Oh yes, I almost forgot, be polite to the person scheduling your appointment; just because you're talking to the secretary or assistant doesn't mean you should forget your manners... (Personally, I love pretending to be my assistant... Sometimes I'm surprised when I talk to a candidate who mistakes me for someone else!!).
Gathering Information About the Company and Position
Now that your appointment is set, don't rest on your laurels! Another detail: do you have an idea of who you will meet and what this company does? What is its market? Its products or services? You must PREPARE YOURSELF.
The internet has some good surprises in store for you; visit the company's website, read business magazines and newspapers, and research the annual report—all steps that will prevent you from looking unprepared in front of your future employers and will demonstrate your motivation and ability to research!
Identifying Your Contacts
Knowing who you will meet is not a sign of indiscretion; it will allow you to better target the objectives of the first meeting. Thus, if you meet representatives from the human resources department, you will know that it is not necessary to ask overly precise questions on subjects that your contact will not have all the answers to, and thus avoid embarrassing them... If the meeting is with the human resources representative and the manager (meaning your future boss), you can go into detail and enrich the interview.
THE DAY "D"
Psychological Preparation
No need to meditate before the interview and light "Zen" candles, but don't neglect your sleep, especially if the interview is at 8:00 am. Dark circles and a grayish complexion are not signs of great dynamism and energy!
The Last Details (Original CV, Your "Look", Location, Appointment Confirmation)
Have an original copy of your resume on hand (yes, nobody is perfect, and just because your contact wasn't prepared doesn't mean you should imitate them!), if you are taking your car, think about parking (I regularly encounter candidates who, in the middle of an interview, tell me: "I need to put money in the parking meter! I'll be right back!" Yes, it's true!).
No need to over-perfume yourself or wear inappropriate clothing (a pinstripe three-piece suit for a visit to a multimedia company is just as ill-advised as your pretty leopard-print skirt—very fashionable, I agree—to meet with ABC Bank!). We won't argue about tastes and colors, but still, a little restraint!
Your Schedule That Day
You never know how long an interview will last (although it normally lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours). Be prepared for anything, and it is strongly discouraged to have to leave saying: "Sorry, but I have another potential employer to meet in 10 minutes!!" Or, "I have to be at daycare at 5:00 pm!"
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERVIEW
The Welcome
No matter who welcomes you, always remain cordial (even with the secretary or assistant...), look relaxed, fresh, and available!
Introduction of the Recruiter, the First 5 Decisive Minutes
It is often said that the first three minutes are decisive... The beginning of the interview will set the tone. Pay attention to the signs (does your contact look preoccupied? Does he or she seem ready to give you time?) and adapt your behavior to their attitude.
Asking the Right Questions and Knowing How to Answer, a Matter of Preparation
If you have prepared well, you will know how to answer questions and ask PERTINENT questions to your contacts. Above all, don't arrive with your grocery list (it's not you who's conducting the interview!), but be able to grasp your contacts' comments and use them to your advantage. Questions about working hours and benefits at the first meeting are inappropriate! Focus on responsibilities and job content; this will be all the more valuable for the future employer.
Your Behavior and the Recruiter's Behavior, Identifying Flaws and Opportunities
The golden rule is as follows: there are no bad candidates or bad career opportunities, but candidates who are not suited to the opportunity offered!
Once you have this firmly in mind, you will know that there is no point in overselling yourself. You are sitting in that chair to examine whether your experience corresponds to what the company has to offer you. If you have 20 years of experience in accounting and you are being assessed for a junior accounting analyst position (OK, there's a problem: why were you called? Well, why not explore other possibilities with your contacts?), there is no point in saying that "you are flexible and ready to take on new challenges"...
A Few Miscellaneous Tips on WHAT NOT TO DO:
Lack of listening, making your contacts repeat themselves (it's very annoying, believe me!),
Telling your personal life (Inappropriate!),
Chewing gum (You're not a cow!),
Badmouthing your former employer (fatal error!),
Lying about your diplomas and past experiences (very risky!),
Kissing your contact goodbye (yes, it's been done to me... Well, they tried!),
If the interview takes place at a restaurant, remember your mother's recommendations (sit up straight, hold your cutlery properly, don't make noise while eating, mineral water or sparkling water preferably, nothing too heavy or saucy... watch out for stains! Anything else? Oh yes, we're here to talk about the position and the company, not the cooking of the leg of lamb!).
Your Argumentation, Your Personal Marketing
The important thing is to know YOURSELF well and to know how to present your accomplishments and your potential for differentiation from other candidates. It's not a question of reciting a learned argument by heart, but rather of knowing how to highlight your past experiences according to the position offered. Focus on your PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, what you can be proud of, and know how to explain it. Ask yourself the following question: what is the difference between one controller and another controller? If you were to hire a financial accounting analyst yourself, on what basis would you base your decision?
Knowing How to Conclude
It's time to leave; normally, your contact will ask if you have ANY OTHER questions. You can have one or two (about the next steps, for example...), but please don't go back over the questions that have already been discussed and don't restart the debate! Thank your contacts for their time, shake hands, and say goodbye. (When you get home, don't forget to send a short email to say thank you and/or send additional information if necessary).
Nathalie Francisci.
Emplois.ca
Posted on September 3, 2013.
The goal of this section is to prepare you for selection interviews so you perform to the best of your ability and project the best image of yourself. A selection interview is often short, and you only have about an hour to convince them most of the time.
Whatever your profession, you must be prepared for any type of meeting; you must sell yourself without giving yourself away. The interview is the central point of the selection process and is the keystone of the recruitment process.
You must prepare for selection interviews while being fully aware of the role and limitations of the recruiter. We will identify the different types of recruiters and their role in organizations, as well as how to get the most out of them.
PRELIMINARIES AND PREPARATION
Making an Appointment
A detail, you might say, but did you note down the number, floor, street corner, or metro station? These small details will allow you to arrive on time and without any stress (I always have difficulty with candidates who arrive 30 minutes late, sweating because they went to the wrong address...). Oh yes, I almost forgot, be polite to the person scheduling your appointment; just because you're talking to the secretary or assistant doesn't mean you should forget your manners... (Personally, I love pretending to be my assistant... Sometimes I'm surprised when I talk to a candidate who mistakes me for someone else!!).
Gathering Information About the Company and Position
Now that your appointment is set, don't rest on your laurels! Another detail: do you have an idea of who you will meet and what this company does? What is its market? Its products or services? You must PREPARE YOURSELF.
The internet has some good surprises in store for you; visit the company's website, read business magazines and newspapers, and research the annual report—all steps that will prevent you from looking unprepared in front of your future employers and will demonstrate your motivation and ability to research!
Identifying Your Contacts
Knowing who you will meet is not a sign of indiscretion; it will allow you to better target the objectives of the first meeting. Thus, if you meet representatives from the human resources department, you will know that it is not necessary to ask overly precise questions on subjects that your contact will not have all the answers to, and thus avoid embarrassing them... If the meeting is with the human resources representative and the manager (meaning your future boss), you can go into detail and enrich the interview.
THE DAY "D"
Psychological Preparation
No need to meditate before the interview and light "Zen" candles, but don't neglect your sleep, especially if the interview is at 8:00 am. Dark circles and a grayish complexion are not signs of great dynamism and energy!
The Last Details (Original CV, Your "Look", Location, Appointment Confirmation)
Have an original copy of your resume on hand (yes, nobody is perfect, and just because your contact wasn't prepared doesn't mean you should imitate them!), if you are taking your car, think about parking (I regularly encounter candidates who, in the middle of an interview, tell me: "I need to put money in the parking meter! I'll be right back!" Yes, it's true!).
No need to over-perfume yourself or wear inappropriate clothing (a pinstripe three-piece suit for a visit to a multimedia company is just as ill-advised as your pretty leopard-print skirt—very fashionable, I agree—to meet with ABC Bank!). We won't argue about tastes and colors, but still, a little restraint!
Your Schedule That Day
You never know how long an interview will last (although it normally lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours). Be prepared for anything, and it is strongly discouraged to have to leave saying: "Sorry, but I have another potential employer to meet in 10 minutes!!" Or, "I have to be at daycare at 5:00 pm!"
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERVIEW
The Welcome
No matter who welcomes you, always remain cordial (even with the secretary or assistant...), look relaxed, fresh, and available!
Introduction of the Recruiter, the First 5 Decisive Minutes
It is often said that the first three minutes are decisive... The beginning of the interview will set the tone. Pay attention to the signs (does your contact look preoccupied? Does he or she seem ready to give you time?) and adapt your behavior to their attitude.
Asking the Right Questions and Knowing How to Answer, a Matter of Preparation
If you have prepared well, you will know how to answer questions and ask PERTINENT questions to your contacts. Above all, don't arrive with your grocery list (it's not you who's conducting the interview!), but be able to grasp your contacts' comments and use them to your advantage. Questions about working hours and benefits at the first meeting are inappropriate! Focus on responsibilities and job content; this will be all the more valuable for the future employer.
Your Behavior and the Recruiter's Behavior, Identifying Flaws and Opportunities
The golden rule is as follows: there are no bad candidates or bad career opportunities, but candidates who are not suited to the opportunity offered!
Once you have this firmly in mind, you will know that there is no point in overselling yourself. You are sitting in that chair to examine whether your experience corresponds to what the company has to offer you. If you have 20 years of experience in accounting and you are being assessed for a junior accounting analyst position (OK, there's a problem: why were you called? Well, why not explore other possibilities with your contacts?), there is no point in saying that "you are flexible and ready to take on new challenges"...
A Few Miscellaneous Tips on WHAT NOT TO DO:
Lack of listening, making your contacts repeat themselves (it's very annoying, believe me!),
Telling your personal life (Inappropriate!),
Chewing gum (You're not a cow!),
Badmouthing your former employer (fatal error!),
Lying about your diplomas and past experiences (very risky!),
Kissing your contact goodbye (yes, it's been done to me... Well, they tried!),
If the interview takes place at a restaurant, remember your mother's recommendations (sit up straight, hold your cutlery properly, don't make noise while eating, mineral water or sparkling water preferably, nothing too heavy or saucy... watch out for stains! Anything else? Oh yes, we're here to talk about the position and the company, not the cooking of the leg of lamb!).
Your Argumentation, Your Personal Marketing
The important thing is to know YOURSELF well and to know how to present your accomplishments and your potential for differentiation from other candidates. It's not a question of reciting a learned argument by heart, but rather of knowing how to highlight your past experiences according to the position offered. Focus on your PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, what you can be proud of, and know how to explain it. Ask yourself the following question: what is the difference between one controller and another controller? If you were to hire a financial accounting analyst yourself, on what basis would you base your decision?
Knowing How to Conclude
It's time to leave; normally, your contact will ask if you have ANY OTHER questions. You can have one or two (about the next steps, for example...), but please don't go back over the questions that have already been discussed and don't restart the debate! Thank your contacts for their time, shake hands, and say goodbye. (When you get home, don't forget to send a short email to say thank you and/or send additional information if necessary).
Nathalie Francisci.
Emplois.ca
Posted on September 3, 2013.
