Each interview is different. Some are more bearable, while others can become real challenges. Therefore, having real examples is always of great help to prepare us for this crucial phase of any selection process.
In this article, we present several success stories of people who have participated in the HIRE project. The diversity of profiles – in terms of gender, age and level of education – enriches these contributions, offering a wide variety of perspectives on how to face a job interview.
We hope that these experiences inspire you and find them useful. Let’s go!
To the question, what aspects have the last interviews you have attended focused on? Personal or professional aspects? Give us an example, please. Most people highlight that interviews tend to focus on professional aspects, such as work experience or detailing tasks performed in previous positions. To a lesser extent, it is also pointed out that more personal issues are addressed, such as competencies (e.g. stress management), strengths and weaknesses, or availability.
In an interview, the way a question is asked can be uncomfortable or intimidating, generating nervousness or confusion in the candidate. In this sense, have you ever been asked an uncomfortable question during an interview? Some of the uncomfortable questions pointed out by the participants are related to personal and intimate aspects, such as the intention to become a mother (in the case of women).
Contradictory questions have also been identified, formulated with the aim of evaluating the coherence of the candidate’s answers. On the other hand, asking directly about salary expectations can be perceived as invasive, especially if it is not properly contextualized within the selection process. When faced with this type of question, it is advisable to answer calmly and professionally. For example, you can indicate that the question is not linked to the ability to perform the job or that it is not appropriate (questions about maternity), qualify your answers to clarify possible contradictions, or opt for a general answer when it comes to issues such as remuneration (according to the agreement, according to the responsibility or informing yourself beforehand to give a more precise answer).
With regard to the overall experience of the job interview, most of the participants characterize it as positive, empathetic, profitable and professional. However, other people identify it as stressful or a mere procedure to get a job. This diversity of perceptions can be influenced by individual factors, such as the final outcome of the process, i.e. whether or not the position to which one aspired was obtained.
Faced with the statement, when you go to a job interview ALWAYS… The main contributions are summarized in:
- Prepare it in advance, research the company and the position, it will help you stay calm and speak naturally
- Take care of your image, look confident and be natural
- Review and come with your updated CV
- Be punctual, show interest, and be yourself
- Be professional, sincere and correct
- Keep a positive attitude
On the other hand, when you go to a job interview NEVER…
- Go blindly, without knowing the company and your differential contribution
- Arriving late and dishevelled.
- You lie or pretend to be someone you are not by answering what you think they want to hear.
- Speak ill of yourself, transform your defects into virtues. For example, if you get overwhelmed under pressure, say it another way, “I’m very demanding with my work and I prefer to take a little longer to get it perfect”
- Speak badly of previous jobs, bosses, or colleagues.
- Cut off the interviewer by anticipating questions
- Maintain prolonged silences, but don’t talk non-stop either. Find a balance in your communication
Finally, from the point of view of our participants, we share a list of tips that can help you succeed in an interview.
- Prepare for the interview: Research the company and the profile of the position to highlight what you can bring to the table
- Sincerity, be yourself
- Control your nerves so you can show off your skills and strengths
- Shows predisposition and desire to work
- Show confidence in yourself
- Moderation, correctness and naturalness