Nowadays, it is difficult to get a job without a preliminary interview. If you get a job in a small company, perhaps its immediate supervisor will communicate with you. If you apply for a vacancy in a large company, your person will be the personnel manager or recruiter. The essence of the matter does not change. It is necessary to approach the conversation with any representative of the employer with all responsibility.
Some very serious organizations even require that candidates undergo a little training before the interview. This is necessary so that people understand what requirements will be imposed on them if they choose them. Many candidates after such training themselves refuse to interview with representatives of the employer. But even if you conscientiously attended the courses and successfully passed the tests, you need to behave correctly during the interview.
It doesn’t matter if you want to take the position of director or become a housemaid. The rules for a successful interview are the same.
Dress code
Meet on clothes. This proverb is already hundreds, and possibly thousands of years old. However, it does not lose its relevance. The recruiter has not yet managed to ask you a single question, but he has already formed a definite opinion about you. To do this, he only had a few seconds while you walk from the office door to his desk.
You should use them for yourself to the maximum. It is hard to say exactly what to wear for an interview. It depends on the position you are applying for. If you are trying to get a costume designer or an animator in a hotel, you can choose an outfit in fun colors. Most likely, you will not create the proper impression if you prefer a strict business style.
It is necessary if you get a job in an office for any responsible position. However, in any case, your clothes should not be defiant and untidy. Also, too short skirts and candid necklines, as well as too open clothes are not welcome.
Which perfume to prefer
Interviewers especially do not like the harsh aromas exuded by the candidate. Remember that smells are very individual. It is hard to guess what the interviewer prefers. If he doesn’t like the scent of your perfume or cologne, it can play a bad role for you. During a conversation with you, this person will experience unpleasant associations all the time. Therefore, your professional qualities will recede into the background for him.
In order not to set the interviewer against yourself from the first seconds of the interview, choose a perfume with a neutral smell or do not use them at all. One philosopher said that the best perfume is the aroma of purity.
When to come for an interview
There is a category of people who really do not like to be late. They arrive at the station 2 hours before the train departure, although tickets have already been bought. They congratulate you on holidays in advance, as they are afraid that the letter will not reach the indicated address on time.
If you are among them, do not try to appear for an interview an hour or more before the appointed time. The recruiter will not be happy, but will feel awkward when he sees you waiting under the office door. If you were invited to visit at six o’clock in the evening, you don’t come to dinner? So you don’t need to be too early for an interview.
If you are terribly afraid of traffic jams and other transport overlays, come early, but do not go into the office. Better take a walk outside. Etiquette says that you need to appear for an interview 15 minutes before the appointed time.
If for some reason you do not have time, call and notify the employee of the company with whom you have a connection.
How to behave during an interview
The man is so arranged that he always responds with a smile. This simple mimic lip movement can work wonders. A friendly smile always has an interlocutor. Therefore, do not be too gloomy at the interview, do not sit with a frozen face. Look at the interviewer with a calm open look.
Answer the questions clearly and competently, do not shy away from the answer even if it highlights you from the disadvantageous side. Do not lie. If you cannot answer the question posed truthfully, say so, but explain the reason.
If you get a job that you know perfectly well, do not behave too arrogantly and defiantly anyway. Also, one cannot demonstrate familiarity with a recruiter, say to him “you”, “brother”, “sidekick”. Of course, he will appreciate it, but not in the way you expect.
Sometimes several people speak with the applicant for the position at once. No need to choose the most important of them and answer only his questions. You must have an interview with each recruiter.
Online interview
Nowadays, some companies arrange online rendezvous with job candidates. If you were offered just such an interview, get ready for it in the most serious way. Place order in the room where you will chat online. Do not forget about the dress code. At the interview, even at home, you need to follow it.
Check in advance whether the microphone, Skype, Zoom work on your computer. Recruiters are very upset if they have to wait while you install the necessary software.
Of course, for an online interview you should choose a suitable place where no one will bother you.
What to ask questions
You must listen very carefully to what the interviewer is saying. It is impossible to interrupt him in order to insert his remark. If this happened by accident, immediately apologize, show your interest in what is being reported to you.
The candidate can also ask questions during the interview. Most of them should relate to the workflow. Only at the end of the conversation do you need to clarify organizational issues (salary, work schedule, and so on). However, it is not recommended to ask the recruiter about any special conditions, for example, about an individual writing desk of a fashion brand. Such requirements may cross out for you the chance of getting the desired position. If a person cares about personal interests more than about his future company, he is unlikely to be hired.
Valerie Strafe, senior adviser to the San Francisco job search organization, says candidates must be polite, confident, and calm when talking to a recruiter. This will greatly increase their chances of success.