Advice from recruiters: how to successfully pass a job interview

Most likely, everyone during a job search has wondered how to pass an interview to impress the company representative and get the desired position. In fact, there is nothing difficult about this, but only if you are well prepared. Confidence in yourself and the ability to demonstrate your skills and potential are the main trump cards of any candidate for a vacancy. And in order for the interview to go perfectly, use the advice from recruiters. These people know best how to look, what to say, and how to attract a potential employer. They are happy to share their experience and secrets with those who are in search or have already received an offer and are preparing for an interview.

Types of Interviews

If your resume has been reviewed and you have been contacted, the next step will be an interview. However, the format of the interview can vary greatly depending on the company. Some of the most common types of interviews include:

• Individual Interview: This is a classic type of interview where a recruiter interviews a candidate one-on-one in person.
• Group Interview: This type of interview saves time for the employer as it allows them to meet several candidates at once. The interviewer can be one person or a team of 2-3. The advantage of a group interview is that it allows the employer to see how the candidate interacts with others.
• Online Interview: This type of interview is usually conducted via video conferencing. It is most commonly used when the candidate is seeking a remote job. Online or phone interviews may also be used to screen candidates initially.
• Structured Interview: In this case, the interview follows a specific plan, and the recruiter prepares questions in advance. This format is very formal and does not allow a complete evaluation of all the candidate's strengths and weaknesses. However, it is suitable for finding employees with basic qualifications or for beginners.
• Situational Interview: During this type of interview, the recruiter models various situations and formulates questions to which the candidate responds. This format allows the recruiter to test the candidate's resilience to stress, but the disadvantage is that important moments may be missed.

Stages of a job interview

To learn how to pass a job interview, it is necessary to first understand the stages that it consists of. In this case, everything depends on whether you are facing an individual or group interview. If we are talking about the first option, then usually everything proceeds according to the following algorithm:

1. Filling out a questionnaire.
2. Brief information from the recruiter about the company and its activities.
3. Questions to the candidate and their answers.
4. Questions from the candidate to the company representative.
5. Performing a test task.
6. Farewell and feedback.

In the case when the interview is not individual, but group, the stages are slightly different:

1. Filling out a questionnaire.
2. Informational briefing about the company.
3. Questions and tasks for candidates, often in a game format.
4. Farewell and feedback.

In most cases, candidates receive feedback within a few days. For those who went through a group interview, this usually means that they are now invited to an individual interview.

How to prepare for an interview

If you don't know how to successfully pass an interview, start by preparing for it. First, try to learn as much information as possible about the company, its goals, and peculiarities. Also, pay particular attention to studying its product.

The next stage of preparing for the interview is a thorough investigation of the vacancy itself and the requirements specified in it. Pay attention to the skills and abilities that are required for a specific position. Be prepared to justify the fact that you are a good fit for the employer according to all parameters during the interview. To better memorize your skills and strengths, you can make a list of them and write it down. Also, think about the questions that may be asked during the interview and try to prepare answers for them.

When preparing for an interview, do not forget about your appearance. It is a mistake to think that you always need a formal look, as everything depends on the position you are applying for. Moreover, it should be noted that informal attire is quite common in IT companies. Therefore, your look for the interview can be quite relaxed. However, at the same time, you should give the impression of a neat and stylish person.

How to behave during a job interview

To make a good impression on the employer, arrive on time for the job interview. During the conversation, follow professional etiquette and pay attention to your language and gestures. However, it is not necessary to be overly concerned about your behavior during the interview. Ease and relaxation are also valued traits, so it's important to be yourself. The most important thing is confidence, which practice shows is highly attractive to recruiters.

During the job interview, it's important to show your interest in the company and the position. Don't be afraid to ask questions, as this shows that you are serious about the job.

Most common interview questions and their appropriate answers

Employers are typically interested in three things:

• Can you perform the duties of the position?
• Will you enjoy the work?
• Will you work well with the team?

However, these questions are often asked in a more ambiguous way during interviews. The following 10 questions are the most common variations:

1. Why did you choose our job opening? Here, you should explain what specifically attracted you to the job posting. This could relate to the job description, the company, or the product. Try to formulate your answer to emphasize the employer's advantages.
2. Why did you leave your previous job? If you are not a complete newcomer without any work experience, be prepared to hear this question during the interview. Your answer should be tactful so as not to cast a shadow on your former employer. Avoid going into too much detail and simply state that you want a more promising position.
3. Why do you think you are the perfect fit for this job? This is the time to talk about your skills and acquired experience, so that this information can convince the recruiter that they need you.
4. What salary are you expecting? If you cannot answer this question accurately, it is worth finding out the average figures in the job market in advance and stating them.
5. Where do you see yourself in 1, 5, or 10 years? This is a very common interview question, so you need to find out in advance what career growth options are possible specifically in this company and indicate the ones you prefer and strive for.
6. How do you imagine your work in this position? This interview question requires the candidate not only to understand their potential position but also to know the employer's basic requirements and needs. In your answer, you should indicate how you will help meet those needs.
7. What sets you apart from other candidates? It is a big mistake to speak negatively about competitors during an interview. When answering this question, it is better to emphasize your unique strengths and qualities, what you can bring to the company, and how you can contribute to the team.
8. Tell about mistakes you made at work. Such a question in an interview is not too pleasant for a candidate, so it is better to prepare for it in advance. When talking about such a fail, try to focus on the lessons you learned from the situation and how they will help you avoid problems in the future.
9. What is the best motivation for you at work? Employers like it when candidates consider a satisfied customer one of the greatest values. Therefore, it is recommended to mention this in your answer.
10. What are your first steps in a new position? Employers are interested in initiative employees, so during the interview, try to answer this question as accurately as possible, rather than just using some general phrases.

What to ask the employer

One very important piece of advice for job seekers before a job interview is to never say that you have no questions for the employer. This demonstrates that you are not very interested in the position. In addition, if you do not ask about important things during the interview, you may be unpleasantly surprised when you start working. But what are appropriate questions in such cases? Here are a few examples.

• What difficulties may I encounter in the workplace?
• How will my work be evaluated by my supervisor?
• Will I have an orientation, probationary period?
• Can you tell me more about the company culture?
• What are my prospects for career growth?
• Does your company have a non-disclosure agreement in place

What to do after the interview

After the interview, you should wait for feedback. Usually, the maximum waiting time for a response is 7-10 days. If you haven't received any feedback after this period, you can call to inquire about the results. In case the interview was unsuccessful and you did not receive an offer, ask what specifically caused the refusal and take this into account in the future.

Common mistakes made by candidates during the interview

In 2023, finding a job is becoming increasingly difficult. That's why a proper interview is so important. Unfortunately, candidates often make a number of unpleasant mistakes. They not only spoil the impression about themselves during the interview, but can also be the reason why the company's doors remain closed to them. To avoid this, let's try to figure out what the most common mistakes are.

• Unpreparedness of the candidate. Lack or insufficient knowledge about the job, company or product.
• Excessive shyness. Even if you are naturally modest, try to demonstrate all your career achievements, hard and soft skills. Otherwise, the employer will not know that they are interviewing their future best employee.
• Too much attention to personal topics. Even if you are asked about hobbies or family during the interview, do not focus too much on these topics. After all, your primary concern should be work-related matters.
• Criticism of former employers or colleagues. Вона є неприпустимою, тому навіть якщо ви розійшлись не найкращим чином, від емоційно забарвлених коментарів краще утриматись.
• Забагато говорите про себе. It is unacceptable, so even if you parted ways on bad terms, it is better to refrain from emotionally charged comments.
• Talking too much about yourself. The interview is primarily a dialogue. In addition, overly talkative people can tire their interlocutor and hint that they are an arrogant person who only listens to themselves.

Hiding other work. If you already have a job, even part-time or remote, do not try to hide it during the interview. Lies always come to light, and you will not be able to restore your reputation. In addition to all of the above, it is important to emphasize one very important point - during the interview, never try to appear as someone you are not. We all have flaws, so it is not worth being ashamed of them and pretending to be someone else. After all, you risk not only disappointing the employer but also yourself, as you may end up in a position that is not suitable for you.