Kovel Vocational and Technical Education Center
Advice for young people: 10 secrets to a successful interview
On the way to getting the desired job, the most important and decisive is the interview. In this article, experts from one of the job search portals (https://www.work.ua/articles/job-interview/) provide advice to young people on how to successfully pass this stage.
Any interview is a new experience that can be useful, even if you are not determined to change jobs right now. It is an opportunity to evaluate yourself, make business contacts, realize in time that you may have become stuck in your current job, and decide where to move on.
1. The first tip is to prepare
Preparation before the interview is crucial. It is necessary to study information about the company, research details about your potential interlocutor, and prepare your answers and presentation in advance. During the interview, the candidate must create an appropriate impression of himself, show his adequacy, constructive approach and professionalism. Even if the company does not have prior information about the candidate, this does not relieve him of responsibility for proper preparation and confident behavior during the interview.
First impressions cannot be changed, so it is important to prepare and tune in to make them the best. There will be no second chance, so it is worth making efforts for a successful interview.
2. Focus and avoid nervousness
Starting a conversation with light topics, such as the weather, road conditions, or recent events, such as a company holiday or a sporting victory, can create a pleasant atmosphere during the interview. This will create an opportunity to relieve tension, prepare the interviewer for the interview, and give you time to calm down, collect yourself, and not be nervous.
It is not recommended to discuss political topics or current events, as your views may differ.
3. Don't turn the conversation into a monologue
It is undesirable to immediately deliver a ready-made speech in its entirety. First, listen and study what kind of person the company is looking for. Then adapt your answers. At the beginning of the interview, listen more than you speak - this is important.
Very often it happens that a candidate in a stressful situation starts to talk about himself, but does not say what you expected to hear. At the same time, he may have all the necessary competencies for a certain position, but during the interview he cannot correctly highlight his experience and knowledge, without emphasizing the key qualities for the employer. This can create the impression in the interviewer that the candidate is not suitable for this position.
4. Establish open and trusting contact
Communication becomes much more successful if a trusting contact is established between the interlocutors. The term "rapport" means "a dynamic state that occurs during communication, when mutual understanding increases and a feeling of deep trust is created." This unconscious rapport is essential for the success of the meeting.
To gain trust from a person who does not know you, you need to conduct a conversation in a common language, using understandable words. This requires the ability to listen and hear the interlocutor.
Attunement is important, because only 7% is perceived by what a person says, 38% - how he says it, and 55% - body language (according to Peter Thomson, author of the book "Self-taught Communication").
5. Try to act as a moderator of the conversation.
With the help of smart questions, you can create a dialogue that will allow you to control the conversation and feel comfortable. Questions should relate to the company's business, strategy, ways to achieve goals, the role and expected contribution of the specialist to these goals. From your questions, the employer should understand that you are serious about the offer, deeply studying the situation and already feel a sense of belonging to the company and the team.
6. Take care of your appearance.
The first impression of a person is formed within the first 30-40 seconds of meeting. A friendly facial expression, natural movements, and a neat, attractive appearance are key factors that arouse the sympathy of the interlocutor. Business style is important during an interview.
7. Introduce yourself
You come to an interview to introduce yourself, to "sell" yourself. Be sociable, be ready to answer questions. The phrase "read my resume, it's all written there" can negatively affect your position.
8. Be willing to share information
Be friendly, open and willing to share information. Sometimes candidates refuse to answer questions, explaining this by trade secrets, although all the information can be found on the Internet. Such behavior can cause surprise among employers.
Do not react with indignation if you are asked questions about your personal life (marital status, presence of children). The employer simply wants to see you as a reliable and stable employee. However, there are situations when the candidate tells too much personal information that is completely irrelevant to the interview. It is important to know the measure in everything.
9. Work with an experienced recruiter
Often, talented candidates can be missed because no one has recommended them. I advise you to consider job options through recruitment agencies. An experienced recruiter knows how to effectively present the candidate's strengths and what to draw the employer's attention to so that he considers your candidacy.
10. Participate more in interviews
Each new interview is an opportunity to gain experience that makes you wiser, more professional and more confident. Even if you don’t plan to change jobs right now, such periodic interviews are very useful. They allow you to assess your current position in the market, determine your capabilities, expand business contacts and timely understand whether it’s time to change jobs.