Preparing for the job interview
Preparing for the job interview
Knowing how to prepare for a job interview is essential to go from being a candidate for a position in a company to becoming an employee. Here at Melt Group we can give you the key points you need for a successful job interview.
The most important thing is that you know about the different types of job interview you may be asked to attend. This depends on the format used. A face-to-face interview is not the same as a meeting by video conference or even by phone.
For you to be successful with your job interview, it’s very important that you’re perfectly prepared. You have to think about the before, during and after, as they all have an effect on the outcome. The good news is that if you’ve reached the job interview stage, it’s because your CV has been selected. That means that, in the first instance, your profile fits the position being offered. You’re now one step closer to achieving your career goals.
The experience we have built up in our Human Resources consultancy means we can help you with practical advice so you know how to prepare for a job interview. The most important thing is that you go to the appointment without fear and with determination.
Types of job interview
1. Telephone interview
It’s actually not that common for a candidate to be asked to attend a telephone job interview. Interviews held in this way are usually quick meetings, in which they basically confirm that all your details are correct and announce that you’ll be continuing in the selection process. The aim of this type of interview is basically to make sure that you meet the profile that the company needs to fill the vacancy in question.
2. Online or video conference interview
This is a very common type of job interview if you’re applying for a position that involves working remotely or working in a company based in another country. The advantage is that it’s easy for candidate and interviewer to agree a date, in addition to the cost savings of avoiding travel. But these types of job interview also have drawbacks. Person-to-person interaction is lost. This means that the success of the meeting is dependent on your responses.
If you’re asked to attend a video call interview, it’s important that you rehearse beforehand in front of the camera. Framing is critical, too. Always avoid having things in the background that you don’t want your interviewer to see.
3. Face-to-face job interview
The face-to-face job interview is the most frequent and the one you should prepare for most thoroughly. You’ll have the head of Human Resources in front of you and you’ll have the duration of the meeting to prove your full potential.
First impressions are crucial in these job interviews, as you won’t have much time with the interviewer. It’s possible that during the interview you meet other candidates and your goal will be to stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview
1. Before the interview
Preparing yourself well for a job interview can open many doors for you. So, here at Melt Group we’re going to give you some tips on what you should do before this important work meeting takes place.
- Research: Which company are you going for the interview with? You should spend some time getting to know the company in detail. Look for articles about the company on the Internet, ask people who know it, study its website, etc. Do as much research as you can, knowledge is power. The organisation’s social media pages are also an excellent source of information. Social media profiles will enable you to get a better understanding of the corporate philosophy and values. Become a user, so if the company sells products or services, use them to find out more about them.
- The position: if you’ve been called for a job interview, it’s because you previously sent an application for a specific position. Carefully analyse the position for which you have applied so you can prepare for your oral interview. Study the objectives they ask for in the job offer and ensure you can talk coherently about them all.
- Think about possible interview questions: you may be asked all kinds of questions during the job interview. Some will be personal, some will be about your professional experience, some will be about your educational goals, and some will be about your qualifications for the position. They will ask you about your training, languages, time flexibility, availability, whether you are able to travel, your strengths and weaknesses, experience of new technology, etc. Think about everything and plan responses that are honest and truthful.
- Your clothes: experience in HR tells us that in a job interview, first impressions are very important. This means you’ll have to make sure you make an excellent impression. Choose your interview outfit carefully. This will depend largely on the company where you’re going to be interviewed. Wear formal clothing, but dress discreetly and not in loud colours.
- Documents: the HR department where you’re going to be interviewed already has your resume, cover letter, references, etc. However, it’s important that you take along a copy of all the documents that endorse you as a perfect candidate for the job.
2. At the job interview
- Time: arriving on time is a great sign for the interviewer. This will undoubtedly improve the first impression we referred to earlier.
- The greeting: a firm handshake is more than enough, no kisses or hugs.
Greet the interviewer properly and stand up straight, without nerves.
- Body language: much of the interview focuses on body language. Human Resources experts know a lot about this and we notice everything. Sit properly and be careful with the gestures you make during the conversation. What we’re looking for when analysing body language is to find out if everything you’re telling us is true.
- Honesty: answer each of the questions honestly and sincerely. Don’t evade questions because you don’t know how to answer them.
- Don’t interrupt: even if you want to talk and prove your worth for the position, the interviewer will always lead the conversation. Never talk over the interviewer. You will be able to give your opinion or answer when they’ve finished speaking. You can take the initiative when the interviewer has finished by asking an interesting question or showing interest in company matters.
- Questions: when the interview is coming to an end the HR manager will usually ask you if you have any questions. This is your chance. Ask everything you need to know, politely and elegantly. It goes without saying that they must be questions related to the interview, the position and the company.
3. After the job interview
- Thank you email: remember to say thank you. The day after the job interview you can send a thank you note via email. The aim is to thank the company for the time they invested in interviewing you and that they take you into account for the position to be filled. Be professional and concise.
- Be patient: if they have told you they’ll call you, they will. Normally, all candidates are informed of the outcome of their job interview within a specified period of time. Don’t call them repeatedly to ask how the selection process is going, as this might interfere with the final decision.
Nowadays, knowing how to prepare a job interview is very important for progressing through a company personnel recruitment and selection process. If you’re looking for a job, don’t hesitate to join our large database of candidates and we’ll help you find the best career path for you.
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Email : info@meltgroup.com
