What do HR professionals advise you to do in order to achieve successful performance at a job interview?

In our last article, we discussed the topic of finding a career position that you would be best suited to. If you have determined the direction of your professional development, you are probably already browsing job ads and applying actively. But what happens when you've already submitted your CV? You should take the time to prepare for the upcoming selection process. We have summarized useful information on the process and what to expect in each of its stages in order to perform successfully.

How the first call or invitation for an interview goes?

The first thing you can expect when you submit your CV is to receive a call from the employer. It may concern additional clarifications regarding the CV or cover letter sent or even be a direct invitation for a meeting. It is extremely important not only to respond to the invitation but also to ask who your meeting will be with and what is his/hers role in the company. Ask them to summarize and send you an email once again with the most important agreed details – where, when, and with whom the interview will be conducted. Do not hesitate to ask for location details or ask for a contact person. It is important to have someone to inform in case you are late, need further clarification, or have another issue that could interfere with your meeting.

What to pay attention to at your first meeting with the employer?

We remind you that the first impression is the most important. If the interview is conducted in person, remember that you may be in your future job and among your future team. It makes a good impression if you greet not only the person who welcomes you but also the other people present if any. If you have to wait, don't get angry or impatient. Use this time to take a look at the surroundings – this is a great way to get information about the company and its environment. Look for a place where products or various awards, production processes or equipment photographs, company's mission, and values information panels ​​may be displayed. Watch how the communication between the people there goes. These are things that will help you get used to the environment faster and better, and will probably allow you to relax and get an impression of what your life might be like should you be hired here.

If you receive an invitation for an online interview, you should be technically prepared to conduct the meeting. Find a quiet location to make the video call. Make sure that is a friendly and tidy place. Install the necessary software, and test the video and sound before the call. Prepare so that you have everything you need so you don't have to interrupt the interview.

In case your first meeting is with specialists from a recruitment agency, do not forget to inquire and ask for as detailed information as possible about the employer who announced the job vacancy. This will help you prepare for the interview with the employer if you get invited for a second interview.

How does the interview start?

The essential part of the interview begins with your acquaintance with the interviewer or interviewers. Smile, take the initiative and introduce yourself officially. You can take the first step towards shortening the distance and communicating the way you would like to be addressed. Be sure to follow the etiquette – shake hands vigorously with everyone present. Very often during these meetings, the interviewer does not make the final decision on your hiring. This is usually the person in the company with whom you will work in direct dependence – or a colleague with more experience, who is tasked to introduce you to the duties of the position, or – your direct manager. Therefore, do not forget to pay attention to others present during the meeting. When you present your CV or answer questions – always look for eye contact and address everyone in the room.

How to participate actively?

Your successful performance also depends on your active participation in the interview. You need to not only answer the questions appropriately but also be an active listener who perceives and understands the information. This is most evident if you are proactive and ask questions in turn. Of course, they must be adequate and aimed at obtaining new or explanatory information. Avoid empty questions that actually paraphrase what has just been said. Try to understand what structure you will get into. How is the team you will work with? Who will be your direct supervisor, etc? Ask them to tell you how a working day would go so that you can imagine it and see yourself in this picture. Ask where your workplace will actually be because the meeting can take place in a location other than the workplace. Ask what are the conditions regarding business transport, annual leave, working hours, etc.

What to expect after the interview?

The good end of a meeting is when it ends with an official job offer. But more and more companies are setting up several meetings with the candidate or even giving him/her an independent task, close to similar tasks of his work life, in order to get the most accurate idea of ​​his/hers future role. By default, you can expect a response within a reasonable time between one or two weeks. Ask for feedback, whether or not you are approved – so you show that you are not indifferent to the outcome and that you want to be informed about the decision in a timely manner. It will make a good impression if after the interview you send a thank-you e-mail for the meeting and indicate that you are available in case of additional questions.

How to grade your performance?

After the interview, it is important to analyze the entire meeting and your performance. Be fair and honest to yourself about both the positive moments and the mistakes. We recommend that you do this under the KISS (keep, improve, start, stop) model – or in general, divide the meeting by elements that you want to:

• „Keep“ – these are the things you did well – you were solid and you spoke confidently.

• „Improve“ or things to work on in the future – present more measurable indicators of your success; create highlights in your CV relevant to the position you are applying for.

• „Start“ - ask questions actively; pay attention to nonverbal communication.

• „Stop“ - being too circumstantial; being focused only on the remuneration.

When going through this analysis of the situation, try to be as specific as possible when answering the questions under the KISS method. It will help you improve your communication with potential employers in the future.

Our professional experience shows that these few tips for successful performance during a job interview give the best results when meeting with an employer. If you have a desire for development and are open to new career opportunities – see the current job vacancies on our website or contact us for a personal consultation.