How much do you know about interviews?

How to prepare for an interview?

Octavian Panchici
January 24, 2022
Career

Here are some useful tips for you to nail any interview.

Interviews

Start practicing your answers at least 2 weeks before the interview. You want to get into the habit of talking about what you have done in previous jobs and how it translates to this one. It is important not to give too much away. Recruiters are looking for your best attributes, but you want to stay humble. How many times have you heard about someone getting the job because they "really wanted it" or "it was their dream job"? It happens all the time, so if you feel this way about a position go ahead and express it, but do not go overboard. Remember, this is an interview and you always want to make yourself look good!

Dressing for a job interview

There are many ways people dress up for job interviews. If you feel like your clothes may give the wrong impression, it is best to play it safe and wear something more formal. This means a full suit and tie for men and a conservative dress (suit or trouser and blouse) for women. Men should also wear matching socks and polished shoes.

If you feel like the interviewers may be more professional than this, keep in mind that they want to see how you will represent their company if they hire you. It may not be possible to have a job interview where everyone wears a full suit, but that should not stop you from dressing appropriately.

Body Language

Interviews are not just about answering questions thrown at you. A lot of determining factors come from your body language and how you present yourself. For example, if you make eye contact with the interviewer, it shows that you are very committed and engaged in what you want from your career. Smiling can also help a lot to create a good impression, although be wary of overdoing it! It shows confidence and is inviting for employers. What you do not want to do is give a nervous laugh or look around the room a lot. Try to calm yourself from the outside and think positive thoughts to project a good impression both physically and mentally.

What to ask during a job interview

Asking the right questions during an interview can put you ahead of other applicants. This is also your chance to see if this is even the right fit for you! Here are some questions to ask during an interview:

Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

What do you think are the most important qualities for the person in this role to possess?

Is there anything else that you would like to know about me?

These questions give you more insight into the company and what it has to offer, while also showing that you have a vested interest in the position and want to be a part of the team.

Make sure you keep your questions relevant and positive, even if there is something you do not like about the company. Try to find out how it could work for you instead of against you. For example, "I notice all employees here get an hour for lunch every day. Will I be able to leave for lunch or do you expect me to eat here?" This question shows that you are motivated and would like some flexibility, but also allows room for negotiation if necessary.

Interview Mistakes

The most important rule is not to make any mistakes during an interview! This can include things from looking at your phone to wearing the wrong clothes. If you do make a mistake, apologize but keep it moving. This is not the time to dwell on your mistakes from earlier in life or stress about everything that could go wrong.

Let's face it: most people have made a couple of interview mistakes before and they are very common! The interviewer knows this and will not be judging you based on these mistakes. As long as you are confident and stay calm the interviewer will not even notice that anything went wrong!

Octavian has over 6 years of experience working within the recruitment industry. He has worked both in the UK and Romanian market and he has helped various blue chip organisations secure valuable talent from junior to executive level. His main areas of expertise are within the IT and Financial Industry.