In a world where unemployment is widespread in many countries, and in light of the increasing levels of competition, obtaining a job has become a difficult task that requires a lot of mobilization of capabilities and means, including preparing for the personal interview, which may be decisive in this regard.
In the past, obtaining an appropriate academic qualification was sufficient to obtain a job, and some countries even distributed jobs to graduates automatically, but the situation has changed a lot, and study alone has become insufficient to achieve the goal.
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After the initial stages of the job search journey, there comes a stage that is perhaps the most difficult, which is undergoing a personal interview with the employer, its manager, or a specialized team. Many experiences indicate that you will need to sharpen your intelligence and prepare for it what you deserve.
From the beginning, you must be aware that getting jobs is no longer easy for many reasons, most notably:
- Intense competition due to the increase in the number of graduates and job seekers in exchange for limited jobs
- Lack of required skills because academic study may not be sufficient
- Economic and technological impacts and the resulting job cuts
- Discrimination in jobs, as there is a possibility of exposure to negative discrimination based on various motives
Therefore, we advise you, dear reader, if you reach the personal interview stage, to prepare in several ways, including reviewing the personal reasons that may harm you at this stage, including:
- Weak personal skills or lack of experience
- Weak CV
- Poor preparation for the interview
- Fear and stress
In this regard, the American CNN website quotes a recruitment expert as confirming that the digital age has made many people less experienced in personal interactions, and therefore less comfortable with them, especially those that pose a challenge.
Dr. Nathan Mondragon, chief innovation officer at the hiring platform HireVue, draws attention to the mistakes that parents may make, especially those who intervene excessively to help their children professionally without teaching them how to deal with the world of work.
As for Stacy Haller, an employment consultant, she says that some people think that they can pass a job interview easily, and therefore they may make a big mistake, which is not preparing well for the interview.
says Stacy Haller, senior recruiting consultant at ResumeBuilder. But, as with anything else you strive to succeed in, getting a job also requires preparation.
So what should you do to prepare for a job interview?
Prepare your CV
Here, Haller says that the CV is one of the first factors that attracts the attention of the recruiter, and therefore it must be brief, preferably one page that is attractive, clear and not cluttered, designed specifically for the job, and highlights why you are the ideal candidate.
Be careful who you consult with
It may be best to consult other people working in the same company or employer, followed by consulting people working in similar sectors.
It may also be beneficial for you to consult someone who works in the employment sectors and has previously participated in personal interviews, so that he can provide you with advice to help you pass them.
Do your research about the employer
During the interview, it is important to show your abundance of information about the employer you want to join. You must do comprehensive research about it, and be prepared to receive questions that test your knowledge of the company, and certainly among them will be a question about why you are seeking this job in this place, as you must explain how you can contribute to the progress of the company, support its strategy, and achieve its goals.
It would be better if you also did research on the people who will be interviewing you if you have their names. This will help you talk to them and ask them questions, and perhaps you will also find a common bond that will help break the expected ice.
Write your answers in advance
Do not just prepare verbally, but write down the expected questions and your answers to them, keeping in mind that you are trying to demonstrate your suitability for the required job and your ability to do it.
It would also be nice if you wrote down some success stories that you have achieved in your life or in previous work, which may be appropriate for the requirements of this job.
Prepare your questions
It is important to realize that your questions may be as important as your answers. You should show your interest, enthusiasm, and interest by asking questions such as:
- What will the work day be like?
- Is this a new role or am I succeeding an employee who has left this job?
- How do you measure the success of a new employee?
- What are the benefits and challenges of working here?
- What types of training opportunities are available?
- What is the chance of promotion after a year?
Avoid stress
It is very important that you avoid stress during a job interview, and if you suffer from stress before interviews, relaxation or breathing techniques may help you, but if you suffer from severe anxiety, it may require treatment. Don’t forget to bring all the notes you prepared with you to the interview.
good looking
Experts say dressing formally for in-person and virtual interviews is important.
If the company culture is simpler, this does not necessarily mean that you should wear clothes similar to theirs in your interview, as they do not know you yet and it is better for you to leave a good impression on them that shows your respect and seriousness.
But this does not mean exaggerating the formality. For example, there is no need to wear a three-piece suit unless this is part of the dress code in that institution.
Difficult question
If you receive a difficult question that you do not have the answer to, it is better to ask the interviewer to rephrase his question or say to him: “I do not have much experience in this particular topic, but I can tell you about a case.” You can also express that you would like an opportunity to think carefully about the question, as this may suggest to them that you are adaptable.
When you have the opportunity to ask questions, ask what you have prepared. But it may be better to postpone questions related to salary, vacations, and other benefits until before the end of the interview.
The way you ask is important. Instead of asking about the number of vacation days you will get, it may be better for your question to be as follows: “Can you tell me about the benefits that the company offers to employees at this level?”
In the end, we recommend that you conclude with the following question: “Is there anything else I can provide or answer to prove my suitability for this position?”
After the interview
Within 24 hours of the interview, it is best to send a thank you email expressing your gratitude for the interviewer’s time and the opportunity he provided you. Know that it is not just a thank you letter, but also an indirect reminder of your merit for the job.