Getting a call for a job interview is one step forward in getting your dream job. In facing a job interview and as an applicant, you should be able to present yourself optimally, both in terms of appearance, speech, and attitude.
To face the job interview session, later you will be dealing directly with company representatives, namely the human resources division or better known as HRD, the department to which you apply or the place to apply, or even the head of the company directly. In some workplaces, the job interview is usually the final stage in a recruitment selection process. After the interview is complete, you will wait for confirmation whether you are one of the selected candidates who will work at the company or have to let go and look for other jobs.
Read also: The Complete Guide and Tips for Maintaining Your Mental Health
Personality is important for HRD during the interview
Before learning how to do good interview tips, you need to know the following facts. In applying for a job, it does not work experience that becomes the benchmark or the highest factor in a smooth job interview, but the personality that is the first thing that HRD pays attention to when the job interview is in progress.
According to the Sterview TopInterview report and job search platform Resume-Library, a job applicant’s personality affects 70 percent of employers’ ratings, along with skills and experience, while education only affects 18 percent. According to an article published by CNBC Make It, the personality traits that HRDs least want in a job applicant are arrogance, dishonesty, lack of reliability, and narrow-mindedness.
Tips you need to consider before conducting a job interview
In addition to having a good personality and being liked by HRD, here are some simple job interview tips that you need to pay attention to and practice more at home before actually conducting a job interview with HRD.
1. Understand the company and the position applied for
Understand what company you are aiming for and the division or position you are also looking for. The interviewer will want to know how much information you have about everything you will be dealing with when you get hired. To overcome this, you can find out the profile and description of the job you want to apply for on the company’s official website.
2. Practice speaking
Practice in front of the mirror how to speak the right way, with clear intonation, the right expression, and the right body language. Pay attention to voice articulation, word choice, and do some facial exercises.
3. Prepare answers to answer common interview questions
Several questions are usually asked by interviewers. For example, “Tell me about yourself?”, “Why are you interested in applying to this company?”, “Mention your weaknesses? etc. So, it’s best to prepare answers to these questions in anticipation when the interviewer asks you that.
4. Prepare for the best performance
Wear appropriate clothes, the right makeup, bags, shoes, and everything that supports your appearance needs. However, if the company requires certain attire for the interview, then comply with that requirement. Things you should also pay attention to are small things in appearance, such as the cleanliness of nails, neat clothes, no pet hair attached to clothes, loose threads or buttons, and so on.
5. Be polite and respectful
Treat those around you with courtesy and respect. Starting from parking attendants, security officers, receptionists, and even interviewers. If you show arrogance from the start, this could be a sign of a minus for you.
6. Practice calm
Try to practice being calm before entering the interview room. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, stand straight with your shoulders back, be confident, and focused, and let go of your anxiety. That way, you can concentrate on going through the interview process.
7. Come on time
Pay close attention to when and where you will have a job interview. Don’t be late because it will reflect how you value this opportunity. Take into account the length of time you need to travel and take a short break upon arrival at the interview site.
8. How to answer questions
After practicing speaking, it’s time for you to decide what kind of response you will give to the interviewer. Remember, the duration of the job interview is only short. And at the same time, you have to make a good impression. You can give a direct and clear response, and don’t be long-winded in speaking.
9. Ask them back
After getting lots of questions from the interviewer, don’t hesitate to ask back if there’s something you want to know. Present your question to the interviewer politely and clearly.
10. Saying thank you
When the duration of the job interview is almost over, don’t forget to thank the company for the opportunity. There’s nothing wrong with slipping your hopes before saying goodbye to the interviewer.
Job interview tips using online platforms
In the current era, especially after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, job interviews do not have to be done face-to-face. For the sake of practicality and time efficiency, companies often hold job interviews using online platforms such as telephone calls or video calls.
What can you do when facing a job interview using this method? Here are some things you need to pay attention to before an online job interview takes place.
- Make sure the gadgets that you will use are functioning properly to avoid appearing unprofessional to the interviewer
- Look directly at the interviewer, not a picture of yourself on the screen
- Stay polite and formal, even if you are not in direct contact with the interviewer
Examples of common questions in a job interview
During a job interview, sometimes the interviewer does ask unexpected questions. However, most of the questions asked will not be much different. The following are questions that usually come up during a job interview.
“Tell me about yourself!”
When asked to describe yourself, don’t just answer about your personality and character suitability for the company that the interviewer wants to know. Questions like these are also useful for measuring how good your communication skills are. So, as much as possible answer calmly without stammering. It’s even better if you can tell things that are not listed in your CV/Resume because your ability to present yourself can also be assessed through this question.
“Why are you interested in applying for a job at this company?”
Through this question, the interviewer wants to know how serious you are about joining the company. You can do a little research on the company profile and the position you are applying for on the company’s official website.
“Please explain what your weaknesses are!”
This question is usually asked to measure your honesty in assessing yourself. Do not let you answer that you have no weaknesses at all. This answer seems dishonest and conveys self arrogance.
Instead, you try to find one thing that is not one of your strengths but also is not a fatal weakness. Make sure you include any workarounds that you have or are currently working on to address these weaknesses. Answers like this show that you are someone who is always trying to be better.
“Why should this company accept you?”
Don’t get caught applying just because the position matches your qualifications without understanding the job description itself. Provide an answer that summarizes your qualifications and enthusiasm for joining the company and filling the position with the company.
“What are your plans for the next 5 years?”
This question aims to find out your ambitions in your profession and the extent to which you have planned to achieve them. Of course, the interviewer will also want to know whether your long-term plan fits the company or not.
Examples of job interview tricky questions and how to answer them
In addition to the questions that have been discussed in the previous section, sometimes the interviewer will ask questions that are slightly distorted or trapping to potential job applicants. Here are some examples of trick questions and tips on how to answer them that are often encountered during job interviews.
“What’s the biggest career accomplishment you’ve ever had?”
This question is a favorite question for Andrew Shapin, Chief Executive Officer of Long Tall Sally. The purpose of asking this question is to measure the honesty of prospective job applicants regarding their achievements. Then, he will conclude the advantages and disadvantages of the prospective job applicant.
“What is your passion?”
Hilarie Bass, a Co-President of the company Greenberg Traurig, believes that a person’s passion is an important thing that will lead that person to success. If you think too long before answering this question, chances are that you won’t score very well in the eyes of the interviewer.
“If you could do anything in this world, what would be the ideal job for you?”
Liz Bingham, a work partner of Ernst & Young, said that this question is intended to find out the honest opinion and point of view of potential job applicants. Realistic or not the answer given does not matter to the interviewer. What the company focuses on is the sincerity of your intention to work in the field that you want.
“Are you ready if you have to be stationed out of town?”
To answer this question, you can convey your aspirations if you are still in doubt or are not ready to be placed outside the city. Give clear and logical reasons. However, if you need this job and are willing to be placed outside the city, then you can answer that you will be willing to follow the policy.
“Why are you applying for a job that doesn’t match your major?”
If you apply for a different job with an educational background, don’t worry because you can answer this job interview question by explaining that you have a strong interest and passion in the field, followed by an attachment regarding evidence of work experience and hobbies related to the position at the company.
When conducting a job interview, it is not only you who are judged by the company such as HRD or the user, but you can also assess the personality of the prospective employer and the prospective company where you will work later. Hopefully, the job interview tips and some sample questions and how to answer them in this Flokq article can help you prepare well before the job interview takes place.
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