Preparation for a job interview: key points

In any professional activity, the job interview is one of the most important moments of the employment relationship, since it should be the beginning of it. Whether to be part of a staff or to obtain a contract for works and services, it is a situation in which the cards will be put on the table, demonstrating that one is suitable to fill the position offered.

It should be taken, therefore, as a marketing operation in which the product being sold is oneself. The success of the mission will consist of ensuring that the employer not only verifies that the candidate's skills are suitable for the position, but that his attitude and presence are also up to par, convincing him that the company or project will gain points with his hiring.

To obtain this result, the candidate must take several points into consideration, preparing them thoroughly in advance so that on the decision day all the factors are in his favor and the person in charge of personnel selection does not have the slightest doubt about the suitability of the candidate.

1. Aesthetic presence

The first image that is offered is fundamental, so it must be taken care of as much as possible, starting with choosing an appropriate wardrobe, thinking both about the importance of the moment, that is, elegant and neat, and about the type of company to which it is assigned. wants to belong, since choosing an outfit to oppose a law firm will not be the same as choosing an outfit for a gym or a sports accessories store.

As a general rule, you should be well dressed without being excessive, with inconspicuous colors, a sober hairstyle and a classic-style suit. The idea with the choice of clothing is to imply that you have understood the company's policy and style and know how to be in line with it.

2. Prepare for the type of interview

There is a wide range of possibilities for that first moment of contact between the company and the applicant; job interview diversity is a reality that must be known and prepared thoroughly. The reactions and analyzes to calibrate the result will not be the same depending on the channel chosen (in person, telephone or online). Likewise, different skills will also be considered depending on the objective that the organization intends to achieve.

In short, you will have to know what type of interview you are going to attend to be more prepared, whether according to the medium, objective, the phase of the process, according to the interviewer/s, the structure, the number of interviewees...

3. The attitude

You should be confident in every job interview. You should not make the mistake of undervaluing yourself or implying that you are not capable of doing a certain job. It is essential to demonstrate confidence, so it is advisable to spend some time before the interview to reflect, always positively, on the skills, experience and knowledge you have, valuing all the strengths that you have well assimilated. The Human Resources manager who conducts the interview must come away convinced of what they can receive from the candidate, it is exactly what they need, someone with problem-solving capacity, confident in their abilities, with leadership capacity, who does not shy away from challenges... In short, you will have to learn to value yourself and know the best way to promote yourself as an effective method to convince the interviewer of your personal worth. Likewise, it is essential that the candidate demonstrates politeness and respect for others, as a natural way in their behavior.

· The personal brand

To enhance this necessary attitude, during the aforementioned time dedicated to reflection before the interview, it will be necessary to add to the preparation of the interview, think and delve into everything that makes you different, that surpasses the rest of possible applicants. Competitiveness is a fact, a reality that must be faced in any selection process. To stand out from the beginning, you must be clear about what you excel at, what you have special qualities or specific preparation and make it clear to the employer, once again, that the position due to differences is for him.

· Always positive

Although it has already been briefly mentioned, it is worth emphasizing this point, since optimism is a quality increasingly valued by business organizations and, therefore, by those in charge of personnel selection. Whenever you have the opportunity, you must demonstrate an optimistic attitude towards life and the possibility of getting a job. Likewise, it will be necessary to speak well about past work activities, about what was learned or grown during those jobs. In any case, this positive attitude will have to demonstrate the desire to be part of the company and to develop capabilities in the organization.

· Be direct

As a general rule, these interviews have a certain amount of time to get to know each potential employee. If you want to stand out, it is best not to beat around the bush, but to be direct and concise, quickly and clearly offering the information that is required. As a general rule, it will be studies, experience, personal qualities... it is not about controlling the conversation, but about being consistent with what the interviewer is requesting, letting him guide the conversation. You must be correct, pleasant, cultured and effective in your answers, without adding nonsense or rhetorical elements in the interview. In short, respond in the best possible way to what you are looking for in the applicant.

· Non-verbal language

Finally, in relation to the attitude that must be maintained in every job interview, in addition to taking care of one's words, being polite and cultured, knowing how to handle an extensive vocabulary related to the company's environment, one will also have to master gestures, what is said without speaking. In this sense, you will have to be expressive without theatricality, avoiding excessively calculated, repetitive or nervous movements. You will also have to avoid feeling intimidated, fearful, frightened... look down and not at the interviewer, curl up in the chair or want to end the conversation quickly.

4. Adaptation

In all preparation for the interview , sufficient flexibility to the conditions of the position must be demonstrated. The company will highly value the ability to adapt in relation to the schedule, mobility, and actions related to the workplace that must be carried out at different times of the year. The more options allowed, allowing the company's organization to have the candidate in different places or requirements, the more comfortable it will be for them, therefore, the easier it will be to hire someone who has these characteristics.

5. Knowledge of the sector and the organization

Another important factor for companies when hiring a new employee will be the training that the candidate already has. For the employer, it is preferable to choose someone who already has some experience in similar positions, training related to the sector and understands the values and way of functioning of the company itself.

If, as an applicant, you do not have any of this, you will have to make an effort prior to the day of the meeting with the Human Resources department and find out about the position you are going to occupy, the sector where you will carry out the activity and even the history and trajectory of the company that is going to hire you. In the interview, if the right time comes, you will be able to demonstrate the knowledge you have, which will be well received by the company.

6. Prepared answers to common questions

It is quite common for a series of questions to be repeated in job interviews. It is very useful for the interested party that, as an exam, they have prepared them and know how to answer them effectively and successfully pass this phase of the interview.

Some of these issues are the following.

· How do you describe yourself?

The interviewer may ask the prospective employee to talk about himself. The answer will come out instinctively and accurately if, as previously mentioned, prior introspection work has been carried out, in which the circumstances leading to the interview are analyzed. It is important, therefore, to know your personal strengths and weaknesses, highlighting what you are good at and knowing how to express it.

· Why do you want to work here?

Another very common question is the purpose or interest in working with them. Here the prior study that has been carried out on the position, the company and the sector becomes important. Personal affinities with the organization and the values that are shared with it must be demonstrated, reasonably explaining the capabilities possessed for the position and how it will improve the productive performance of the organization.

· Why are you going to change jobs?

In the event that you come from another company, this question will surely be asked. Be careful because it can lead to misunderstandings; you should never speak negatively about the previous team or the organization you come from. The most accurate answers are personal, such as: accessing a job more in line with abilities, being closer to family, a position that offers more opportunities for growth...

Other possible questions are; Why should you be hired? What are the achievements in previous jobs? Or put the candidate in front of different hypothetical situations... What would you do if...?