You have been selected for a job interview? Congratulations, you have caught the attention of the recruiters, but after that comes the preparation of the job interview which is the most important step of the process.
People say that you must be yourself to succeed in an interview, but does that mean that you have to go in with open hands? Certainly not, because for a job interview, being natural and credible requires real preparation work in advance. Learning how to talk about yourself, your career path, your project and being able to satisfy the recruiter’s expectations, all of this requires preparation!
❝ It is very important to prepare yourself before the interview, in other words, to read the job description and the requirements and to make the link between your acquired skills and the tasks requested. I often recommend that candidates take the time to write answers before the interview and read them out loud to find the right words and to evaluate themselves. The amount of time you spend preparing for your interview clearly determines the percentage of success of that interview .❞
Erika Goyeneche – Recruteuse internationale chez Astek Canada
Thanks to our recruiters, we have gathered all the information you need to make you the ideal candidate for the position you are looking for.
How to properly prepare your job interview
Know the common questions asked by recruiters: You can put all the chances on your side by knowing what type of questions to expect, here are some examples:
- What interests you in the position?
- Why would you want to work for our company?
- Why would you be the right candidate?
- Can you tell us about your accomplishments?
- What did you learn from this experience (one of your experiences on the resume)
- What is important to your career path?
- What qualities do you value in a manager?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
Have an up-to-date resume: Putting all the information in your resume is essential (projects, technological environment, job title, etc.). This allows recruiters to have a complete overview of your experience and skills, and also allows you to present the most relevant experiences related to the position you are seeking.
Read the job description: It is important to be aware of the job description that explains the tasks, function, and responsibilities of the position in order to be able to communicate and answer the recruiter’s questions.
Learn about the hiring company: One of the best ways to make your discussion memorable and constructive during an interview is to learn about the company. With the help of your research (the company’s business, the field, the company’s digital strategy, etc.), you will be in a position to ask some questions to the recruiter.
Show interest: Recruiters are, after all, human and can sense the candidate’s enthusiasm and interest in the position.
❝ Avoid basic and superficial questions: What is the next step in the recruitment process? Think about going deeper into your questions about the position, the project, the tools with questions such as: How many people make up the team? What is valued in the company? What is the main challenge of this position? ❞ Informs us Vincent Doman, recruiter at Astek Canada.
Things to avoid in an interview
Getting lost in your thoughts: Recruiters like candidates who give precise and clear answers.
Not developing your answers: You should rarely give a yes or no answer in an interview. If a recruiter asks you a question, it is because he or she wants a detailed answer.
Leave a doubt about a situation: Never leave a recruiter without answers and in doubt.
❝ All situations can be explained, including life’s ups and downs that have caused you to need a break from your professional life ❞ explains Claire Manhes, lead recruiter at Astek Canada.
Lack of professionalism: Since the pandemic, virtual meetings have been adopted and candidates are increasingly careless. (Noisy places, doing something else at the time of the meeting, not being on time, etc.)
Not being sincere: Employers always appreciate sincere people who explain their real short- and medium-term expectations (salary, career change, etc.)
How to conclude a job interview?
The end of an interview is your signature, you must finish it on a positive note because this last impression could well remain in the mind of your interviewer and play in your favor.
Generally, recruiters give you the floor at the end of the interview to see if you have any questions, and the answer is always YES. Remember to ask light questions about the atmosphere at work, the activities organized by the company, the relationship between colleagues, etc.
And finally, don’t forget to thank the person who received you for taking the time to meet with you, whether it’s during the handshake, the next day’s email or before closing the video conference window.
