Have you applied for a job and been offered an interview? Congratulations, you have passed the first phase of the recruitment process! But the next step is perhaps the most crucial of your research: getting your interview right.
To succeed in an interview, there is no secret ingredient: the main thing is to prepare it well. Here are a few tips to make your interview preparation a success.
Why is it necessary to prepare before having an interview?
Like many candidates, do you tend to be stressed during an interview? This is the first reason why training beforehand is useful. By preparing yourself to face all the situations, you will be able to concentrate on the essentials, to be natural during the exchange and to show your personality to the recruiters.
Succeeding in a job interview also means standing out from other candidates who are all looking for the same position as you. If you arrive with confidence in yourself while being prepared and informed, you will more easily manage to stand out from the crowd. The recruiter will appreciate your preparation effort, proof of your motivation.
10 tips for a successful job interview
Research the company
If you want to put the odds on your side, you have every interest in knowing the culture of the company in which you are applying. This will be useful for example to know the dress code of the company in order to be sure to know how to dress for the interview… For example, tie or no tie?
Try to scan all possible questions: what is the company’s recruitment policy? Why is she hiring? How many employees does it have? You can find this type of information on the company’s website, in the job offer, on social networks, etc. Do not hesitate to inquire about the business sector of the company, its competitors, its growth opportunities. Why not also find out about the recruiter himself or your future manager? You may have points in common, this can allow you to engage in an interesting exchange.
The recruiter must feel that you have worked and done research before participating in an interview: a form of politeness as much as a sign of motivation. It is also possible that the recruiter asks you directly after the presentation of your background: what do you know about us? What did you understand about our job?
Analyze the job description on the job posting
By dint of having studied it, you risk knowing the job offer almost by heart! Identify all the keywords, analyze the expected skills mentioned there and make a comparison with your profile: what do you master, what are your shortcomings? You must be able to justify your weak points in the interview while emphasizing your strong points! Are you sure you will succeed in this position? Explain why ! In this game, an argument prepared in advance is often more effective than improvisation. How does this job fit into your career plan? What caught your attention? The job posting is the starting point for working on your interview.
Prepare questions to ask
Before the rigor of thanks, do not hesitate to ask questions to your future employer. This is an opportunity to make a good impression at the end of the interview by showing your interest and curiosity for the position, but also to have an answer to questions that you really have. Prepare in advance one or two questions to ask during the interview. If the recruiter has already answered it, do not hesitate to rephrase it so that he can complete it.
During the interview, also remember to regularly remind the recruiter on certain points. The more information you have, the better you can understand how to meet their needs.
Have a clear vision of your goals and skills
You know your career path better than anyone. It’s up to you to make it coincide with the position offered. Your application does not correspond 100% to the requirements of the offer? Do not panic, if you have managed to get an interview, it is a sign that your application is of quality. It’s up to you to convince the recruiter that you are cut out for the job.
Also, be honest with yourself: what are the strengths and weaknesses of your application? It is not a question of lying, of reciting your CV or your cover letter but of knowing what are your certainties concerning your skills, your margins of progress and your professional objectives in the short and long term. If you have all this information clearly in mind, you can more easily “sell” your profile to the recruiter.
Anticipate trick questions
If you prepare well for your interview, no question will ever be tricky. Nevertheless, some recruiters like to ask the type of so-called trap questions to try to destabilize you. The recruiter does not seek to fundamentally question your skills but rather to test your repartee, your motivation and your ability to listen.
“Why should I choose you? », « Where do you see yourself in 5 years? » « What is your main fault? “. Follow our guide to find out how to avoid trick questions.
Put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes
A candidate rarely thinks of putting himself in the place of the recruiter! Yet it is an excellent way for him to understand the main issues of a job interview:
- If the recruiter receives you, it is because your application interests him. He seeks to confirm the potential he has glimpsed through your CV and cover letter. You must therefore prove to him that your application does indeed correspond to what he is looking for.
- The recruiter is also worried: if he makes a mistake in his choice, this can create tensions or problems within your future team. So you need to reassure him about your ability to do the job AND fit in.
- The recruiter is in a selection process and must eliminate contenders for the position to be filled to keep only one. It’s up to you to understand what he is looking for precisely to show him that you are the one who best fits the job.
Mentally imagine your ideal interview
Interviews usually go more or less the same and you can imagine in advance how the interview should go. A bit like a map! Having a mental map of the interview allows you to anticipate and better prepare for your interview.
- The first part of the interview thus often consists of a candidate presentation phase. Think about how you are going to greet recruiters, what is the catchphrase you are going to use to start describing your background, how you are going to end your presentation.
- Then comes what could be called the main body of the interview: it is getting to know each other! The recruiter introduces you to the company, explains the position to you and then asks you questions about you in an attempt to discover your motivations and your abilities to perform the function. Think about the questions you will have to ask the recruiter: the details you would like to have, details that you misunderstood in the offer, prospects for development. Also anticipate his questions and expectations: how could you reassure him by highlighting your strengths, on what specific examples could you rely. If you have carefully studied the job offer and understood the needs of the recruiter, you should not be surprised by these questions.
- Then comes the conclusion of the interview. There too, it is a phase to be negotiated well. Think ahead about the right way to thank the recruiter for their time. On what note you plan to leave. Also remember to ask for certain details: when the recruiter is supposed to contact you again, how, what is the next step in the recruitment process, etc.
Repeat by asking for a helping hand from those around you
Now that you have in mind the ideal plan for your future interview, put it into practice in a real simulation. Indeed, it is difficult for a candidate to realize how much his non-verbal communication distinguishes him from other candidates in the eyes of the recruiter. Even remotely and in video, the details often make the difference. In addition to punctuality, body language, interpersonal skills, politeness, being smiling or not, etc. All these details constitute the first impression that the recruiter will have of you. Rehearsing with someone you trust will allow you to obtain information about your non-verbal language, your posture, your language tics, etc. To be able to correct them better!
Likewise, arguing with a recruiter can be stressful. Ask the person testing you to be ruthless in their questions during this mock interview. This will help you later to be comfortable in all circumstances during a real interview.
Plan all the practical details in advance
Practical details are also important when preparing for an interview! Double check the date, address and time of the scheduled maintenance. If you are applying in another city or you don’t know how to get to the company’s premises, plan your route well in advance to avoid any additional stress on D-Day. company access. Ideally, do a scouting a few days before your interview.
Do not prepare your things at the last minute and choose your dress in advance. To make sure you don’t forget anything, make a checklist of everything you’ll need on the day of the interview: something to take notes, your printed CV, your professional certificates, etc. Leave nothing to chance so that when the time comes, you can focus solely on your application and the professional aspect of the interview, without a delay or hesitation about your outfit at the last minute raising your level of stress.