How to handle a job interview
A selection interview is an important step in one’s professional life.
An interview that goes well can change your life, determine your career path
and your future, and affect the decisions you will make tomorrow.
Even if you don’t pass an interview, it can serve as useful experience to
improve and grow on a personal level if managed properly.
Here are some suggestions for how to maximise your performance in an interview
1. Have fun finding out about the company.
It is important to come to the job interview fully prepared. Obtain as much
information as possible about the company to understand the environment they
operate in and carefully study the position you are applying for. It’s good
practice to show interest and it will help you to respond to questions that
will probably come up during the interview.
2. Shake hands and make eye contact.
Even a simple gesture like a handshake can be a part of the assessment: be
spontaneous and try to stay in control, remain confident and make eye contact
with the interviewer. Being distracted or unfocused can make it difficult to
interact positively, something that is essential in getting to know each other
in the relatively short time available for an interview.
3. Prepare a brief presentation about yourself. Tell us how talented you are!
Don’t forget to bring a copy of your Curriculum Vitae and a valid form of ID.
Speaking about yourself may seem easy, but it isn’t. Prepare in advance and come to the interview with a well-thought-out presentation. Try to be complete but concise and give an organised and task-oriented presentation.
Describe yourself and talk about the skills and knowledge want to develop and what you want to achieve in the future. Stress your educational and professional experience. Highlight your skills and strengths, emphasising the qualities that make you stand out and which you feel are relevant to the open position.
4. Listen.
Pay attention and be aware of both verbal and non-verbal signals. Be patient.
Wait for the interviewer to finish speaking; don’t interrupt. The better your
listening skills, the more your answer will be on target, well-structured and
show empathy.
5. Don’t rush your answers.
If you need time to think about a question, take it! Don’t react instinctively
simply to avoid a pause. Taking a reasonable amount of time to reflect is
generally perceived positively.
6. Make use of examples.
Express your ideas clearly and be proactive during the interview. Respond to
the questions with precision. Avoid rambling. Give practical examples to
illustrate your experience and to help make your ideas clear for the person
listening.
7. Show interest in the company and the position.
It is useful to prepare a series of questions to ask during the interview. This
shows you are interested in the company and the position. Avoid asking for
information regarding compensation too early: the subject will come up in
subsequent interviews during the selection process.
8. Take care of your appearance.
Choosing your outfit carefully translates into consideration for the
interviewer and the environment you find yourself in. Wear what represents you
best, but don’t overdo it: dress in a way that is sober, serious and neat.
REMOTE INTERVIEWS
The most common format used is the Skype video call. Here are some specific recommendations for remote interviewing:
• Prepare for your interview as if you were going in
person.
• Check the quality of the connection and the audio before
the appointment.
• It is important to pay attention to your appearance: don’t
forget that this is still a job interview.
• Prevent interruptions from other people or mobile phones.
It is best to switch off any devices and if necessary, ask anyone around you to
keep as quiet as possible.
• Don’t look at your own image or the screen too often: focus
on the camera and the interviewer instead. This helps create direct contact
with the other person.
• Show interest and be curious. Interviews by telephone or
through a video call are generally given less time and are more intense. Be
concise, stay focused and keep your replies fairly short.
Remember that there is no single magic formula that applies to everyone: all candidates have to create their own winning strategy. Above all, be yourself.