How to succeed in a job interview – APPM

Whether in companies or recruitment agencies, the interview is the essential selection tool. Many candidates who are genuinely qualified for a particular role find themselves passed over in favour of a competitor simply because they have failed to master the basic interview techniques.

Caught off guard and thrown off balance by deliberately stressful questions, and lacking sufficient information about their potential employer, candidates show signs of poorly controlled nervousness.

To overcome all this, what do you need to do to take control of the situation?

To shine during an interview, you must first prepare for it.

During this preparation phase, the candidate must first:

Analyse their background

Technical skills (academic background, role, specialisation, professional expertise, language skills)
Their personality (character traits, outlook on life, level of motivation, self-confidence, and relationships with others in their personal and professional lives)
Their adaptability (their ability to work in a team, to settle in and to progress within the new organisation)
Reflect on their personal and professional plans
Define your expectations. What do you hope to gain from your next role?
Clarify their career plans, i.e. their objectives: are their career objectives consistent with their career path
Why are they applying for the advertised role?
Does his application match the role being sought?

Find out about your future employer

The candidate should seek to find out about the sector, the market, the competitors and the company itself.

The big day has arrived. What should they do to give themselves the best possible chance of success and present themselves in the best light?

Prepare the necessary materials for the interview

A notepad;
A CV identical to the one they sent;
The text of the job advert;
A list of questions he’d like to ask;
A diary to note down a possible second appointment;
Payslips and employment certificates;
Prepare your appearance down to the smallest detail.

Appearance: pay attention to how you look; avoid bright colours, opt for more neutral shades, and steer clear of mini-skirts and white, yellow or red socks.

Posture: it should be natural; sit comfortably in your chair (if you lean back, you’re trying to protect yourself; if you lean forward, it’s to convince; if you stay in the same position, you’re stiff).

Eye contact: Do not look away, but do not stare at the other person either. Direct eye contact generally indicates ease in interacting; looking down suggests unease and a desire to hide something; looking too high indicates an imaginative personality but one that shies away from reality.

Voice and intonation: to ensure clarity, do not speak too quickly.

Spoken expression: Use short, precise sentences and action verbs.

Avoid words with negative connotations (problem, misfortune, concern) as well as set phrases and clichés (a taste for a challenge, I like to rise to challenges)

Make a point of finishing your sentences and using precise terms. ‘thing’, ‘stuff’ and ‘such-and-such’ are signs of a limited vocabulary or intellectual laziness.

Avoid verbal tics (I’d say that, if you like, I think that) or overly technical jargon.

The first impression you make on the recruiter is crucial. Introduce yourself to the recruiter and thank them for seeing you. Your handshake should be sincere and firm (if your hands are sweaty in the waiting room, wash them).

Wait for the recruiter to start the conversation; above all, do not act as if you’ve already won them over.

After the interview, the interview isn’t over until you’ve stepped out of the company’s door. Thank them for the welcome you’ve received and the time they’ve set aside for you; keep smiling and maintain eye contact until the very end. Don’t forget to say goodbye to the switchboard operator or receptionist as you leave, as managers sometimes ask them for their opinion on candidates.

Source: ‘Take stock of your employability’