Unemployment is slowly increasing, so it’s a good idea to refresh your knowledge of how to make a good impression at a job interview. A personal interview is a requirement for getting almost any job. If you want to succeed and land the position, you undoubtedly need to impress at the interview. In addition to education and experience, what also matters is the first impression you make and how well you can “sell” yourself. If you are afraid of interviews or don’t know how to impress a recruiter, read on.
Arriving on Time Is Essential
Leave for every meeting at least half an hour early. You never know what might happen on the way or what could delay you. Arriving on time is essential and should never be underestimated. Punctuality will certainly come in handy at work, and your employer will see that you care about the job and are reliable. If you have extra time, you can use it to prepare for the interview. In this case, it’s better to wait on site for 20 minutes than to arrive late. Moreover, the recruiter certainly doesn’t have the entire day just for you.
Preparation – Half the Success
Before going to the interview, find out as much information as possible about the company. This will prepare you for tricky questions and help you impress the recruiter. It’s good to know the company’s history, goals, some of their campaigns, and their products. The more information you have, the more you can stand out at the interview. After all, if you are hired, you should know these things anyway. At the same time, don’t forget to bring all the necessary documents the recruiter asks for (if any are required).
Appearance Matters
As HR manager Michaela Šindlerová says in an interview on Modio.cz:
“For both men and women, quality materials and cuts are important; jeans are completely inappropriate. In terms of colors, black, white, or gray dominate. In the case of business casual, which is suitable for journalists, real estate agents, teachers, and professionals in public relations and advertising, dark blue, beige, or brown colors are acceptable. In some companies, business casual even allows jeans, provided they are high-quality, understated, and well-fitting. For creative positions, a casual dress code is suitable and does not require formal clothing. In these fields, creativity is appreciated, so you can opt for more imaginative pieces – but be careful not to overdo originality. Here too, less is more. Minimalist yet imaginative clothing by young Czech fashion designers works very well. For startups, a completely informal outfit including T-shirts, sneakers, and jeans is not a problem, but even here, quality materials and well-fitting cuts are important.”
Source: interview on Modio.cz
Your Behavior Is the Most Important Thing
At the interview, you should behave in a friendly, pleasant, and likable manner. Not many people want to work with a negative person. Of course, speak politely and avoid swearing or strong language. Don’t speak badly about your former employer- they might think you would talk about them the same way later. If you had a problem in your previous job, try to talk about it without offending or discrediting the former company.
Do You Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
Prepare in advance what your strengths and weaknesses are. Naturally, prepare more of the strengths. It will impress the recruiter if you know what you are good at and where you have room for improvement. Everyone has flaws, but not everyone is aware of them. If you know your weaknesses and are willing to work on them, you will rank higher in the recruiter’s eyes than those who are unaware of them (or unwilling to admit them).
Embellished CV and References?
Never include false information in your CV. At the interview, they may test you on your experience. It would be embarrassing if you were unable to demonstrate the skills listed in your résumé. And even if false information helped you get the job, it would never guarantee that you could keep it. For your own good, you should always state only the truth.
Were your previous employers satisfied with you? Ask them for a reference. Every extra recommendation can help you secure your next job.
Is This Your First Interview?
Be prepared for anything – even an unpleasant recruiter. Everyone has a bad day sometimes. Don’t let anything throw you off, and try to make the best impression you can, regardless of the circumstances. It may also happen that you are not sufficiently qualified for the position and feel foolish during the interview. That happens too – and it’s completely fine. Even if your first interview doesn’t work out, at the very least it gives you something invaluable: experience.
Some Recruitment Processes Also Include an Assessment Center
Have you been invited to an assessment center and have no idea what to expect? What is it, and why is it becoming so popular? Can you prepare for it so you don’t completely fail? Yes, you can – and in this article, you’ll learn how…
What Is It, Exactly?
It is a type of interview that lasts several hours or even an entire day. Participants are evaluated by a selection committee composed of several people. Depending on the seniority of the position, it may also include a psychologist who provides deeper commentary on participants’ behavior. The team observes your behavior in various situations and evaluates how well you communicate, how flexible and creative you are, and whether you are a team player.
What Can You Expect There?
It usually consists of two parts. In the first part, you complete tasks; in the second part, there are classic interviews. The first part is more complex, so we’ll focus on it more. There are usually five or more participants. At the beginning, everyone briefly introduces themselves and says a few words about themselves. In some cases, you may be asked to give a more detailed self-presentation, so it’s better to be prepared. Then come the tasks. Some tasks are completed individually, others in groups, to show how you behave in a team. The tasks can be demanding and are often given with less time than is actually needed to complete them, in order to put participants under stress. You may also face various psychological and intelligence tests.
What Should You Prepare For?
Be prepared to be placed in uncomfortable situations. After completing a team task, participants are often asked to identify the person they worked with best and the one they worked with worst. You may also be asked, as a team, to agree on who should be eliminated. In some companies, the person selected in this way is dismissed and must leave the interview.
Why an Assessment Center?
This type of interview is more time-consuming and costly. However, recruiters can uncover far more information from it than from a standard interview. It is said that no one can pretend for more than two to three hours- after that, their true personality emerges. That is why this method is used for more demanding positions. Recently, however, it has become increasingly modern, and soon we may encounter it even for lower-level positions.
Participating in this extended interview format is definitely worth trying. And if you don’t succeed, don’t despair. Perhaps the job isn’t actually right for you and wouldn’t make you happy. In any case, ask the HR department for feedback- you may learn something new about yourself. Get a good night’s sleep before the interview and go in knowing that in the end, it’s just a game, so don’t let it upset you too much. We wish you good luck.
Do you know someone who is looking for a job? Send them this article so they are prepared for this type of interview as well.
