What to talk about in an interview with an employer. What changes would you make in your new job? How to answer awkward interview questions

Today, getting a job is not so easy, and taking a vacant place in a good organization is even more so (like a student entering a prestigious university upon admission). How to behave in a graduate interview? We propose to consider this issue in more depth. We propose to designate the following questions as the main topic: how to behave in an interview and what to say in order to attract the attention and location of a future employer.

How to behave during a job interview?

Lots of people in modern society can't get a job Good work, even having all the data for the proposed position: appropriate education and level of knowledge, age, absence of children, etc. . Often it all ends with the interview. What is the reason? Everything is simple, even good specialist must know how to behave in a job interview.

It is at this point that potential employers often pay attention. To test future employees involved leading psychologists who have developed a mass psychological tests, on the basis of which they are guided not only by knowledge, but also by stress resistance, compliance with the proposed vacancy when choosing a candidate. But tests are not the whole arsenal. Important points such as behavior, the right wardrobe for this purpose, speech, gender, experience(is or is not), etc.

How to behave properly during a job interview

It is in view of the above that it is important to know how to behave at an interview with an employer when applying for a job, what to wear for an interview and what you need or vice versa cannot be said in the process. However, not a single specialist can offer a single image, since in this option a lot depends on the choice of the applicant, i.e. the vacancy itself.

For example, to work in the service industry in any variation: hostess, secretary, babysitter Kindergarten, a courier, a car dealership, a realtor, a cook, a sales agent, a merchandiser, a teacher, an advertising agent, a consultant in the Euroset, a fitness club, a housekeeper, a waitress or a maid in a hotel(for a woman or girl in maternity leave), beauty salon, etc.., it is enough to have a cooperative and at the same time strict outfit. But for work in Gazprom, FSB, Ministry of Internal Affairs, prosecutor's office, police / police, lawyer, security service (for civil service) a teacher in a school or college, a system administrator, a programmer, a doctor in a hospital (city hospital), engineer, to a designer in a modeling agency, etc. completely different requirements, which are not limited to smiling, strict attire and sociability, but we will talk about all this and in more detail a little later.

Basic rules of behavior when applying for a job: video

Getting a job is an art selling ... yourself, your time, your knowledge (whether you have experience or not), etc. The presentation in this version should be appropriate. Don't be shy such an interpretation, because in a sense, everything is exactly like that. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with some tricks (a video tutorial so that you are not denied admission) for beginners, based on the advice of psychologists: training for beginners, how to dress, how to behave, how to prepare, what applicants may encounter when receiving offers from a recruiter, so that even the boss can calmly accept shopping center (find any other vacancy, watch a master class from a pro or download it to your computer):

Psychologist's advice: how to behave in an interview

Psychologists around the world have already identified main aspects how to behave in an interview, tips at the first stage begin with a proposal to study in detail information about the future place of work . Today, finding out such details is not a problem: find on the internet(get recommendations on the forums, the official page of the company, etc.), learn from friends who work in the selected company(they know a lot and they can help get a job, lead to the authorities, for example, with recommendations), their friends etc..

The second important aspect is punctuality. In order to come to the interview on time, study the route in detail, calculate the time it will take to travel, think over the full path and eliminate errors. It is strongly not recommended to be late, it is better to come in advance, 10-20 minutes earlier (if the applicant is late, he is perceived as a frivolous candidate).

I'm going to an interview - how should I behave?

A smile wins hearts , even if it is a potential employer, be sure that she will fit . But here it is important not to overdo it. Your goal is to give the impression of a benevolent applicant, and any hint of stupidity (and excessive smiling can be regarded as such) should be completely absent.

One of important points is an preparation for the process and this can be attributed complete preparation for : question answer. And, most importantly, it is mutual process, i.e. It is important not only to know the correct answers to possible questions but also prepare your questions for the opponent.

How to behave in an interview if you have no work experience

• How to behave in an interview with an employer?
• How to behave at an interview so that you get a job without experience?

The main thing that the applicant needs to do is to convince the opponent that he has the necessary knowledge base, sufficient (or better, exceeding) for the intended position. It will not be superfluous convince him of his learning. But the height of resourcefulness in this option will be to convince him that the lack of experience is more a plus than a minus. Because in this variant he will be able to correct your knowledge in the right direction . This can be done only if you are aware of the requirements for the applicant for the vacancy (knowledge of duties). Such information is usually posted on the official website of the company. If the selected organization does not have its own portal, use related resources (pages of similar enterprises).

Guidelines for group interviews

group interview are carried out during mass recruitment for the same or related positions (for example, waiters at McDonald's). For HR manager - this is the possibility of selection with the least loss of time. In this option, you need to be able to competently and adequately show your best skills and qualities. Try to take the situation into your own hands - show initiative and leadership qualities, if this is characteristic of you. Ask questions, answer questions In a word, make sure that you are remembered in the best possible way.

How to behave in a Skype interview?

Online dialogue is also designed to reduce the recruiter's time costs, as well as preliminary telephone conversation(with an employee of the HR department or with the manager). This allows him to evaluate the speech, appearance and business acumen of the applicant. In this option, it is important that extraneous noises, pets, friends and relatives, etc., do not distract from the conversation. If the bell rang at an inconvenient time, apologize and gently ask to call back a little later. Not the last role in this matter is played by the appearance. Homemade pajamas or a T-shirt are not the best option.

Interview in a cafe: what and how to say?

Option business interview in a cafe or restaurant with management is not much different from a conversation in the office. But candidates for leadership positions are more often invited to such conversations. In this option, it is important to understand the purpose of the visit. Therefore, the order a large number dishes in this case would be inappropriate . Knowledge of etiquette is also important. The applicant has a unique opportunity to demonstrate knowledge of the rules business etiquette.

First interview - how to behave?

How to behave in an interview to get hired in general terms we discussed. Didn't just touch the topic. appearance applicant. Meanwhile, they are greeted by clothes. Especially if you have an interview with the director, how should you behave in this option?

In most cases, the requirements for appearance are identical, so we suggest that you familiarize yourself with how to dress properly: business suit, hairstyle, minimal makeup (for girls), complete absence of bright details (accessories, lipstick, nail polish, etc.). Availability too expensive things would also be inappropriate.

How to behave in an interview to please the employer

• Pay attention to your voice: it must be moderately sonorous, the speech is coherent and free, there should be a pause between phrases, questions and answers.
• Get rid of stiffness.
• Keep track of your gestures and posture. Practice in front of a mirror.
• You must create an opinion serious and confident person. And yours constraint and stiffness will be transferred to the interlocutor, and he will feel uncomfortable, which will negatively affect the general opinion about you.

At the end of the topic, we present a few tips from behavioral factors experts on some types of vacancies:

1. How to behave in an interview for a managerial position. A good manager must have: leadership qualities(organize the work of the team, accumulate direction, ability to manage, etc.), have the ability to cope with several tasks at the same time, initiative, a tendency to introspection, the ability to attract resources from outside, etc. It is these qualities that the HR manager will look for in the applicant. good leader all questions will be answered in the affirmative and confidently: I did, I set, etc. . Successful experience in a similar position will be a good help, for example, CEO or his deputy (when transferred to a higher position (promotion in a career) at an open meeting with superiors, for example, if an applicant was invited, etc.).
   
   
2. Job interview for manager, sales manager, sales representative. The main qualities of a manager, sales representative, supervisor, etc.: communication skills, the ability to convince and resourcefulness, stress resistance (the ability to take a punch will probably be tested in an aggressive, i.e. stressful interview (initial or repeated)) and good feeling humor . In a business interview, your task is to convince the logistician of the presence of these qualities. And, of course, the appearance should inspire confidence and have a conversation.
   
   
3. I want to work as a seller: advice from psychologists. The seller is an intermediary between the buyer and the manufacturer. Its main tasks: assess opportunities, needs and propose the right . This will help main advice psychologist: learn to adapt to the voice and behavior of the buyer. This simple technique will help lead the opponent to the desired solution. It doesn't matter if you want to get a job as a salesperson at Pyaterochka or as a cosmetics consultant, sell books, or in a sportswear store at Adidas or Sportmaster.
4. Interviews for the position of a psychologist, accountant, bank employee. These three professions are united required level of knowledge, references and summary . For an interview for the position of an accountant, the applicant is recommended to confirm his professional skills, especially knowledge of prof. programs, availability of relevant certificates, etc. The applicant must take care to outperform his competitors not only in theory, but also be ready to demonstrate in practice (in order to successfully pass the selection in the final interview). The same tasks are psychologist, but in this situation, in addition to supporting documents about prof. In preparation, the interviewer must be prepared for mandatory compliance testing. For bank employee(for example, a girl was invited to the position of an economist at Sberbank) the qualities and skills of a manager are important. In the absence of experience, you can demonstrate your achievements in competitions during training, for example. It won't be redundant demonstration of knowledge banking : successes and failures in the work of competitors, etc.
   
   
5. How to behave at an interview at the American embassy . One of the hardest tasks is successful interview at the US Embassy, ​​the Czech Republic, Poland and especially the Schengen countries(Israel, for example). One of the important conditions for the interviewer is a neat appearance: defiant outfits, catchy makeup, etc. are unacceptable here. Jeans will also be appropriate, but do not overdo it, everything should be in moderation. One more point - country knowledge(culture and history). Questions on this topic are mandatory in the program. Besides, consul or an officer at the consulate, he will definitely ask questions about you and about the program (for studying at an institute, working with foreigners (Chinese, for example), for medical education, a tourist visa. Sometimes there are questions:

A job interview is a meeting between the employer and the applicant, based on the results of which a decision is made to hire a new employee. How about applying for a job? It is important to follow a number of simple rules.

The first "meeting" with the employer takes place over the phone when the issue of scheduling an interview is decided. The first opinion about the applicant is formed already at this moment. By phone, you should clarify the full title of the position, ask basic questions about future work. Find out right away if this job suits you, and discuss the nuances that may stop your interest in the job. This will save both you and the employer's time. Unpromising meetings are rarely beneficial.

Write down the full name of the company, contact phone number, name of the interlocutor. Also specify who will conduct the interview. It is very good if, during a personal meeting, you address him by name and patronymic. Be sure to specify the address of the office or other meeting point.

Immediately after the phone call, start preparing thoroughly for the meeting. Prepare clothes, think over questions for the employer, read information on how to pass an interview correctly.

So, you have resolved all the initial questions over the phone. Get ready required documents: Write a resume and CV. Even if the employer did not require it, it is better to have all this on hand. Also, prepare your passport, diploma (or diplomas) of education, existing certificates, certificates and other similar things. If any of the certificates is not related to the position you are applying for at this company, leave it at home.

Do a good job of researching the company you're interviewing for. When thinking about how to successfully pass an interview, remember that you must show the employer that you are interested in the job. Explore the company's website, learn everything about the direction of its activities and history. Even if this knowledge cannot be applied, it will certainly come in handy in the future.

Those who arrive on time know how to pass an interview correctly. If you are late, you will most likely have to say goodbye to work. Plan your itinerary for the interview ahead of time. It is better to arrive in advance and wait in the corridor, removing the excitement there and wiping the sweat from your face. Along the way, think again about what you will be answering the frequently asked questions, and also prepare your own questions. The main thing is that the answers are truthful. It is undesirable to embellish the facts and invent something in order to present yourself in a more favorable light. Again, talk to the interlocutor so that he understands that you are really interested in his company and work in it. Very carefully you need to answer questions about previous work, about your shortcomings and merits, failures and achievements.

Everyone has had a chance to participate in an interview at least once in their life. Someone took part as a candidate for a vacancy, while someone, on the contrary, acted as an evaluator, being a potential employer. Depending on the rules adopted in different companies and even industries, there are different practices for organizing this conversation between the two parties.

What is an interview for?

An interview is a process of communication between an employer and a candidate who applies for an open position in a company. As a rule, the full organization of the interview lies on the shoulders of the HR manager or HR manager. This person must first find a suitable candidate, get management approval of his resume, and then arrange a meeting with the candidate. Some companies do not have a dedicated HR specialist, so organizational issues can be resolved by other people, for example, secretaries or managers directly interested in a new employee. Someone prefers to outsource recruitment issues to an agency or work with a remote freelance recruiter. In this case, the first interview takes place on the territory of the recruiting company.

An interview is necessary for both parties for the initial assessment of each other. The employer evaluates the candidate's professional skills and his psychological qualities, and the candidate, as a first approximation, studies the potential job, gets acquainted with the list of possible tasks and often with the immediate supervisor.

What types and methods of interviewing exist

Depending on the level of the position for which the candidate will be interviewed, on the conditions of the interview and on its goals, recruiters can use different types and methods of interviewing:

• structured interview;
• situational or case interview;
• projective interview;
• competency interview (behavioral);
• stress (shock) interview;
• brainteaser-interview.

Some companies also deliberately practice the group interview format, which is not the most respected among job seekers. Several applicants take part in it at once, forced to compete with each other. At the same time, the employer can choose the most interesting from several candidates.

The personal practice of the author of this material shows that very often fragments are collected in one interview. different types. For example, a recruiter conducts a basic acquaintance with a candidate in the format of a structured interview, asking expected questions about education and work experience. A potential leader participating in the first interview together with a recruiter can ask several cases or arrange a small stressful interview.

Structured interview

The most common is the structured interview. This format is the most logical and simple in terms of organizing the event. The interview takes place in a tête-à-tête format. The representative of the employer asks the applicant standard questions and receives direct answers about the candidate's education, qualifications, work experience, professional and life expectations. Such a conversation allows you to understand the level of compliance of the candidate with the formal requirements for the position, as well as how easily he will be able to fit into the work team.

Most often, the interview is conducted according to a predetermined scheme.

situational interview

A case interview implies that in addition to standard questions, the candidate will be asked to solve several practical problems from the practice of a given company or industry as a whole. This way you can determine the candidate’s train of thought and suggest how he will act in a work situation.

Projective interview

A projective interview involves shifting the focus from the candidate to an imaginary third person who solves some problems. The task of the applicant in this case is to comment as quickly as possible on the actions of the people involved in the situation given by the interviewer. This method is based on the principle that each of us has a tendency to analyze other people's actions from the standpoint of our own experience. So, in order to identify the life values ​​of the candidate, they ask the question of why the employee could be fired, in which case the employee can steal from the employer or lie to him. Asking why people are late for appointments will help reveal attitudes towards punctuality.

behavioral interview

The longest time is usually the competency assessment interview. Here, it is the candidate’s professional experience that is closely studied, and the results of his answers are carefully evaluated according to different types scales (competencies).

shock interview

A stress interview is used to assess the level of conflict and stress resistance of a candidate. This method is non-standard and is most often practiced in relation to representatives of certain professions. In particular, the ability to keep a cool head in the face of a brewing conflict is very useful for top managers, sales people, and insurance agents. It is very easy to understand that you have become a participant in a stressful interview. The interviewer may deliberately provoke conflict, make inappropriate comments, and ask incorrect questions in order to throw the candidate off balance.

Brainteaser interview

The brainteaser interview is used to assess the creativity of candidates. To successfully pass such an interview, the candidate must show a level of resourcefulness sufficient for solving non-standard logical problems and strong skills of independent work.

A long wait before a meeting may not be the interlocutor's forgetfulness, but a test of stress resistance

Other types of interviews

When organizing interviews, various special tools for communication are widely used today. In general, it should be noted that the format of the interview very much depends on the level of the position for which the candidate is applying, as well as on the industry itself, within which the person wants to work. So, for the selection of performers of creative professions (film actors, models, and so on), the interview is called casting or samples and takes place in a format that differs significantly from the introductory interview for office employees.

New forms of interviewing have also opened up thanks to the availability of modern technologies. Thus, video interviews are becoming more widespread in some circles. Such interviews can be arranged using various computer services, the most famous of which is Skype. The convenience of this format lies in the fact that both the applicant and the recruiter, as well as other interview participants, can be located in different parts of the world. The main condition for conducting an interview via Skype is a good Internet channel. Many IT companies conduct at least one of the first interviews with a candidate this way.

There are also special services that allow you to conduct video interviews in a different way. Its essence is that at first the recruiter records his questions to the candidate on video, then the candidate answers these questions in front of the video camera and sends his answer to the recruiter. He can view the candidate's response at any convenient time. This format helps the HR specialist to process more applications.

Video: types of job interviews

How is the interview

A common practice today is to conduct a whole chain of job interviews. A modern candidate will have to go through two to five interviews before receiving the coveted offer. There are no uniform requirements for the number of interview stages, and each company independently determines the procedure for communicating with candidates for each of the vacancies.

Communication most often begins through telephone conversations or e-mail correspondence. If a recruitment agency is looking for candidates, the first contact can also be made by the manager of this agency.

The first interview in the company traditionally takes place with an HR manager. To save time, some employers prefer to have the first conversation over the phone or Skype. Adherents of more conservative methods immediately invite the candidate to the office. At this stage, the HR specialist evaluates the general adequacy of the candidate, as well as compliance with the formal criteria for the vacancy. Some positions require mandatory preliminary testing of the candidate. After the level of professional competencies is confirmed, line managers and, in some cases, top management of the employing company are connected to the interviews.

Of course, we are not always talking about such a long chain of interviews. In most cases, people try to save their time and make a job offer after two or three interviews.

The pattern in which each of the interviews in the chain takes place is to some extent standard and is determined by the host. As a rule, the recruiter sets the pace and general mood of the conversation. The professionalism of this person also largely determines the results of the interview and the conclusions that each of the parties will make for themselves. Most often, the scheme of the conversation looks like this:

1. The recruiter offers the candidate the opportunity to tell about himself that the latter considers relevant in the context of a particular vacancy.
2. Those present ask him various clarifying questions.
3. If a potential manager participates in the meeting, he can ask the applicant to solve or comment on any task from the practice of the enterprise.
4. After the participants from the employer's side find out everything that interests them about the candidate, it will be his turn to ask questions about the company.

What questions are often asked to candidates and how to answer them correctly

Candidates can be asked any question during the interview. Of course, most of the questions will be standard and aimed at clarifying various formal details of the applicant's biography. Answering questions about where you studied and worked should be calm, confident and truthful. There are no special tricks here.

A well-prepared candidate should not be confused by interview questions

Much more interesting and more difficult will be questions with a greater degree of abstraction - those for which there may not be a single correct and unambiguous answer. It is important to remember that when you are asked such a “weird” or “stupid” question, the recruiter will be interested not so much in the content of the answer as in your first reaction. The question may be directed to something unpleasant for you, to a moment in your biography or resume that can cause negative emotions.

Interviews often ask you to talk about your biggest failure and biggest success. When answering, one must be honest, since everyone has ups and downs, and a person who has never experienced either victory or defeat makes a rather negative impression.

Among the non-standard ones is, for example, the question of professional plans for the next five (ten, fifteen, and so on) years. Based on the answer, the recruiter will get an idea of ​​the direction in which you are interested in developing and whether it is interesting at all what kind of career you are going to build. So, if you want to leave for another country in a few years, you may not be hired to work in a government organization, but for an international corporation with offices in different countries you will be a very deeply motivated worker. The socially desirable response is to show that you are moderately ambitious and are serious about your future. True, you need to be prepared for the fact that this answer will be followed by an insidious request to tell what exactly you are already doing to achieve your goals. If you do not have a ready answer to this question, the plan announced earlier will look like empty dreams and characterize you not from the best side.

Often at interviews, you can also hear the question of how the candidate is engaged in his professional development. From your answer, the recruiter will understand whether you seriously identify yourself with the chosen specialty, whether you are inclined to self-improvement or will work only from call to call. Be prepared to ask questions about the last professional book you read or the training you took. It is in the interests of a motivated applicant to be aware of the latest innovations in their industry, to be able to explain the contents of the top books in an understandable language, and to explain the methods used in the profession.

Don't try to show yourself smarter than you really are. The use of concepts and terms, the meaning of which is not familiar to you, can go sideways.

Video: Frequent interview questions and answers

How to pass a job interview

On the Internet, you can easily find many articles that detail what and how to do in order to pass an interview and get a job offer. At the same time, if everything were so simple, the very need for such articles would have disappeared long ago. It is important to understand that there is no magic pill, and not even the most detailed instructions cannot guarantee a positive outcome of the interview. Expert articles provide general guidelines that will help the candidate feel more confident in the interview process and better understand the expectations of the other side.

How to prepare

First of all, you need to study all available information about a potential employer: a website on the Internet, social networks, offline points of sale, publications in the media, blogs, and so on. It is not worth neglecting this preliminary research, relying on the fact that you will be able to orient yourself on the spot. You should definitely check the presence of the employer in various anti-ratings, look for employee reviews, from which you can find out if there are problems with paying wages, whether the management is adequate, and so on. Some candidates, having studied the employer in more detail, will generally prefer to refuse to go to an interview, since they will come to the understanding that this company is not suitable for them for some reason. For those job seekers who make it to the employer's office for a meeting on the appointed day and hour, the results of these studies will also serve in good stead. It's rare for an interview candidate to avoid being asked what they know about the company they want to work for. It is obvious that a person who has devoted at least some time to thematic Internet surfing will look much more advantageous against the background of citizens who did not want to pay attention to this issue.

Appearance at the interview is very important - the candidate's clothing must match general style companies

For specialists applying for certain positions, for example, in the field of marketing, PR and public relations, preliminary research of the company in open sources is critical. When searching and analyzing information, they should not only form some kind of image of the company for themselves, but also note the strengths and weaknesses in promotion, think over options for optimizing the strategy for working with the external environment. In 99 cases out of 100, the employer will ask the marketer to analyze the site as a test task, and ask the PR specialist how he will promote the company's product or resolve conflicts in social networks.

When preparing for an interview, ask yourself why the employer needs a person for this vacancy, what the company can expect from the candidate. Evaluate your resume with someone else's eyes and think about what slippery moments it has, how you will comment on them if asked. For example, breaks between work, frequent transitions from place to place, short duration of work in specific companies.

Prepare questions that you will ask the recruiter about the company and the vacancy. In addition to the standard question about the content of the job, you have the right to ask about the reason for the vacancy, in particular, is it a new position that appeared, for example, due to the expansion of the department, the replacement of a departed employee, or the result of the owner dispersing the entire previous department in anger. An indirect indicator by which a company can be valued is the timing of the publication of a job advertisement. That is, the length of time during which the employer cannot find a suitable candidate. Information about staff turnover can also tell a lot about working conditions.

Video: interview preparation

How to behave

If you came to the interview earlier than the appointed time, and you were asked to wait on the couch in the lobby, try to use this time to good use. Instead of monitoring social networks look around on your smartphone. You may be interested in the quality of the design of the premises, the convenience of planning, the appearance of the employees who catch your eye. Listen to how the receptionist answers incoming calls, how colleagues communicate with each other. If you smoke, go to a local smoking room before your interview. Sometimes from conversations in an informal setting you can find out all the ins and outs.

The author of this material was convinced from his own experience that it is worth paying attention to such an ambiguous thing as toilets. Of course, the quality of the organization of the restroom cannot be the only argument in favor of accepting an offer or refusing it, but an observant person will be able to draw the right conclusions for himself. The author once happened to attend an interview at a construction company focused on private suburban construction. In order to increase accessibility to potential customers, the company moved to an office near one of the central metro stations, but there was no growth in sales. The company's management saw the solution to the problem in strengthening the marketing department. The author was greatly embarrassed by a note taped to the door of the toilet stall, in which an unknown author appealed to colleagues not to steal toilet paper and air freshener. This is hardly capable of creating a sense of reliability and security for potential customers from interacting with the contractor. It is difficult to expect competent business decisions and at least some care for the staff from people for whom such inscriptions are not something out of the ordinary.

If at the end of the interview you did not get a call back, be sure to try to get through to the recruiter to find out the true reason for the refusal. Try not to drive the person to trying to get rid of you at any cost. Explain why you need truthful information. Do not try to challenge the results of the interview.

Common mistakes during an interview

Candidates make a lot of mistakes in interviews every day. The most common is the failure to observe simple and well-known forms of ethics, courtesy and business etiquette: arriving too early or late, dressing inappropriately, being the first to go on “you” or, conversely, being too stiff or formal when interviewers offer a soft and friendly manner of communication. Both the lack of contact and excessive swagger will not work in your favor. It is necessary to be able to navigate the situation, feel the interlocutor and be flexible, but be sure to maintain self-esteem in any atmosphere. So, it is useful to show interest in the job, but showing that you are ready for anything to get this job is already wrong. It is always recommended to stick to the balance, the golden mean.

Interview mistakes are largely due to the inability to leave a good impression of yourself.

Do not try to win over the interviewer or potential boss personally (make eyes, joke when inappropriate, be overly verbose). You need to be able to hear what is being asked, clearly identify the main message of the question, answer concisely and specifically, and, if asked, expand the answer in more detail. Do not immediately answer in detail and start a conversation from afar.

An example of a correct answer.

Applicant: "6 people".

An example of an incorrect answer.

Interviewer: "How many people did you manage on this project?"

Applicant: “This project involved both in-state and out-of-state people, as well as several freelancers who changed frequently…”

Often candidates come for an interview without first studying the company and its position in the market. This is also a common mistake. Candidates who are unable to demonstrate even knowledge of the market and the industry as a whole show blatant incompetence.

A negative impression on the employer is made by overly frank candidates, as well as candidates who lie with inspiration. The ideal tactic is to be honest, not to lie, but to keep back a little on some details. For example, do not indicate the real reasons for leaving the company if the real reason was a serious personal conflict with the management, regardless of whether you were right in this situation or not. conflict is not best feature worker. Do not lie in response to a direct question, but also do not focus on slippery moments. It's best not to lie in an interview. When you do not know something, you can say that you do not remember exactly, but you can guess and speculate a little on this topic, if you are allowed. This behavior will impress an honest man who does not give up and is ready to look for options.

Video: typical mistakes of applicants

How to prepare for an interview in English or another language

Preparing for an interview in a foreign language essentially has little difference. Of course, a lot depends on how fluent you are in the language. Being confident in your language skills will make the interview process much easier for you. To refresh them, you can watch videos on Youtube with typical questions and answers. Do not memorize ready-made answers. Recruiters are distrustful of candidates who respond very smoothly, with a well-placed voice and extremely logical and verified text. This answer contains all the indicators of memorization and excessive preparedness for an interview. You must be confident and positive, but give the impression of being natural. It is necessary to be natural, and not to portray and seem.

Video: how to prepare for an interview in English if your English is not perfect

What methods of evaluating candidates exist

Candidate evaluation begins even before the interviewer's first call. This is a review of a resume and cover letter, which show skills in working with text, the ability to structure information and submit it to writing, the level of Russian or a foreign language, the adequacy of salary requests, self-presentation skills. The next step is the assessment of the candidate by telephone conversation. It is performed based on the tone and timbre of the applicant's voice, as well as taking into account the content of the answers to the questions. Of course, the so-called human factor also plays a significant role here, so the first fleeting impression, even on a phone call, can spoil the situation for the candidate. That is why talking with a recruiter on the phone makes sense only when you are really ready for it, that is, you are not busy with anything, you are not disturbed by extraneous sounds or unwitting bystanders, your voice is calm, you can give thoughtful answers. If you don't feel mentally prepared for a phone conversation, it's best to hang up the call or ask to call back at another time.

It is very difficult to perform an objective assessment of a person, so there is no unambiguously recommended universal test or method for performing such an assessment. In fact, tests and methods are only a tool for collecting data about a person according to a certain system. The main role in the analysis and conclusions belongs to the recruiter or other specialist.

For a fair assessment of the applicant, you must remember the following recommendations:

• it is worth evaluating not so much the psychological and other qualities of a person as his behavior and specific results of activity;
• not only the results must be taken into account, but also the conditions under which they were obtained;
• the results of formal tests can be correctly assessed only by an experienced recruiter with rich professional and life experience, who is a psychologically and socially mature person.

Methods used for evaluation include:

• method of peer review, when an expert from the industry, in the presence of an HR manager, communicates with a candidate in narrow professional or behavioral areas;
• professional testing to determine the level of qualification of the candidate or to identify, for example, creative abilities;
• solving cases and situational problems;
• filling out personality questionnaires;
• verification of the recommendations submitted by the candidate.

In practice, recruiters most often use a combination of these methods, since each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, a completed personality questionnaire may provide comprehensive information on a candidate, but the information may be implausible as a savvy applicant calculates socially acceptable answers. Another option is that the personality questionnaire will show the sincere desire of the candidate for a certain activity, but his professional experience and skills may not correspond to his desires at the moment.

Evaluation of a potential employee can be carried out in different directions

There are also non-standard assessment methods for role models of behavior, for example, a film test. Its essence is that a person is asked about his favorite films or offered to evaluate situations from well-known films. Depending on what intentions and possibilities of behavior a person will attribute to these or those characters, an experienced researcher will draw conclusions about the person himself.

What is a Candidate Evaluation Sheet

For each position there is a set of essential requirements for the personal and professional skills of the candidate. They are placed on a separate sheet, in which the evaluating specialist assigns points or comments on the applicant's compliance with the required level. When each of those present at the interview has such a sheet, all these questionnaires are taken into account in the final analysis. This approach allows you to evaluate the same quality from different angles.

Recommendation to job seekers: never try to look over a recruiter's shoulder to find out what he writes on the evaluation sheet. Instead, make it a rule to take notes during the interview as well. So you will make a positive impression on the employer, form the image of a person who is collected, rational and interested in analyzing the results of the meeting.

A case from the practice of one IT recruiter familiar to the author. One of the candidates of a technical specialty during interviews never hesitated to ask again unfamiliar terms or technologies new to him and always wrote everything down in a notebook. In his free time, this person additionally studied information on identified updates. So he learned what was relevant in the market, what employers needed, and each subsequent interview, even if it did not end with a job offer, in any case made him more prepared. You can, of course, rely on your memory and not write anything down, but in this case, one of the employers really liked this approach of a person to self-education and his focus on self-development. The life values ​​of the applicant coincided with the corporate values ​​of a particular company, and our specialist received a job offer.

The evaluation sheet can also act as a mandatory form of reporting during an interview by a hired recruitment agency.

How to present interview results

The results of the interview are most often drawn up in the form of an evaluation sheet. The more participants from the employer's side take part in the meeting, the more voluminous the "portrait" of the candidate is. The most important are the assessments received from the applicant's potential supervisor, as well as from the leading expert in this specialty.

Photo gallery: an example of filling out an evaluation sheet

Initially, basic information about the candidate is presented The personal qualities of the candidate can be assessed on various scales The assessment of the level of knowledge and skills of the candidate will vary in different areas of activity The assessment of the experience of the candidate is carried out depending on the specific requirements

Job interview protocol

The interview protocol is a standard document and should include a brief summary of the candidate's assessment, conclusions about strengths and the risks that the interviewer found in it. Each company has the right to develop its own form of protocol.

Of course, the passage of a job interview causes stress for the applicant. However, you can try to minimize the emotional tension during the meeting by paying sufficient attention to the preparatory process. inner peace and self-confidence will help the candidate maintain the right attitude in the interview and make a good impression on the potential employer.

It often happens that work for some reason has become unsatisfactory for you. In this case, you have to start looking for a new job. You start sending out resumes with the desire to get a good position. Finally, the employer accepted your resume and responded.

So you've been invited for an interview. At first, it seemed so great to you, but then a constant thought began to spin in your head: how to behave properly in an interview. And that's okay. The first impression is the most important.

It is worth remembering that in an interview, how you behave is 98% important, and 2% what you say.
Therefore, the most important thing is to tune in correctly and think positively!

Preparing for an interview

Before going to an interview, you need to prepare for it. Many consider this complete nonsense, but it is not. This is a very important step and should not be skipped. For this you need:

• Go to the company's website and see what it is.
• To study how many employees are included in the state, the mode of operation. Look internal photos and video of the company, if they are available on the site.
• See who is the head of the company.
• To study the professional qualities that are required for the proposed vacancy.

Next, you need to study the responsibilities that you will have when applying for a job. If you know the position, then look on the Internet for what her duties are. Also think about what you can do for the company to benefit from it.
Then you need to collect all the documents that may be useful at the interview. Such documents include: a certificate, diploma, various certificates, resumes, etc. Everything needs to be put in a folder and taken out only if the employee who receives you asked for it.

"5 minutes before...": a psychological trick

Many psychologists recommend the “5 minutes before” technique before an interview. It may seem ridiculous, but do not neglect it. 5 minutes before the start of the meeting with the employer, go to a free room (toilet, for example) and stand in a hero's pose. Straighten your back, pull your shoulders back, lift your head and chin, and place your hands on your side. Just try. This should give you energy.

Before the interview itself, you will telephone conversation. This is also an important step. Here you have to communicate with a representative of the company, usually a recruiting manager, who then passes the necessary information to the manager.
When speaking, show yourself as a polite person. Be sure to specify the place and time where you need to go. It will not be superfluous to write down the phone number just in case.

How to behave in a job interview?

The first thing to remember is never be late. Better to come early and wait a bit. This will show your punctuality, which is important in any job. It is very important to be able to listen, not to interrupt the employee. Answer questions clearly and to the point.

So, when you come to the interview, follow the basic rules:

1. Don't forget to smile.
   She will create the very first impression. No need to squeeze it out of yourself, it must be sincere. If there is a strong tension and you don’t feel like smiling at all, then try to remember some funny incident from your life and a smile will “draw” on your face.
2. Try not to suppress your voice.
   Clamping of the voice comes from tension and stress. If there is tension, then warm up your voice before coming to the office. Remember - a clear and confident voice.
3. Gesticulation and posing.
   You need to sit calmly in front of the employer, do not touch anything with your hands near you. If the stress doesn't go away, try putting your hands on the table. Don't cross your legs either. Swagger is also not inherent. Eye contact must be constant. If you can’t look directly into the eyes, then you can find some point on the face of the employer and concentrate on it. Keep a moderate and calm look. You should also not wave your arms, behave calmly.
4. Pauses.
   Learn to pause. If you've finished answering a question and the employer isn't moving on to the next one, don't worry, just wait. It might just be a test.

Video: How to behave in an interview

FAQ

The most important thing in an interview is the employer's questions and your answers to them. It is worth dwelling on this in more detail.
Any interview is not complete without the usual questions that should be answered correctly. Before answering a question, listen to it to the end. If the question seems incomprehensible, it is better to ask again than to sit and be silent. To do this, you can say: "Did I understand you correctly?". This will show your tact.

Say only what the employer asks you. Some details may simply not interest him. If something seems necessary to him, then he will definitely ask you again. Eliminate the following phrases from the conversation: “I don’t know”, “maybe”, “probably”, etc.

If there is a question about wages, then speak openly as much as you need, do not underestimate your price. You may hear questions that are not related to work at all. It always happens. This is done in order to understand how you can respond to non-standard situations. These may be questions such as why you left your previous job or why you divorced your husband. Many managers read the form and know that people are preparing for interviews, so they can confuse you. For example, ask this question: how long could you work at your previous job if you remove a few people from the team that you don’t like? Or if you were paid more than three times?

In addition to career-related questions, you may be asked about hobbies and hobbies, food preferences, and so on. This will be required in order to find out how adequate you are.
When asked about personal qualities, do not praise yourself. Don't talk about yourself in the first person. You can say that you easily learn new information and love to read books. This will help them understand that you can easily settle into a new job.

Naturally, you will be asked about your cons. No need to say that you are too lazy to get up on the day off from the couch and leave the house. In this case, lying is good. As an example, I can say: I get involved in work in such a way that sometimes I forget about the time. You need to talk about your minuses as merits.

Often employees ask about children. For example, they may ask how children interfere with your work.

I love children, sir. In fact, I was also a child as a child.
- Truth?
- Truth!
- Weird...
Dance for a chance (Chance Pe Dance). Sameer

After the interviewer runs out of questions, he will give you the opportunity to ask him anything. You may ask the following:

• What is the main task at work?
• How well did the person who worked before me do the job?
• Is it possible to communicate with the boss? (In case he is not sitting in front of you)
• What is the mode of operation?

Naturally, these are not all questions. The most interesting question for you concerns wages. But this must be done carefully. But everyone understands that you are going to earn money, and not just sit around. It happens that the employer himself calls the salary level. If he does not suit you, then you can ask if there is an opportunity to increase your position. When asked how much you would like to receive, you do not need to be silent and hesitate. Call the number directly. Naturally, within reasonable limits for this position.

At the end of the interview, they will tell you that they will call after a while. Specify when to expect a call or not to wait at all.

Correct answers to common questions

Let's look at some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them correctly. Questions in the form of a dialogue between the interviewer (I) and you (You):

1. AND: - Do you have shortcomings?
   Naturally, every person has disadvantages. By asking this question, the employer wants to find out how open you are. You should not talk about all the shortcomings, otherwise it can cause negative consequences. The best answer to this question:
   You: - Of course, everyone has shortcomings and I am no exception, but they will not affect the work in any way.
2. AND: - Tell us about yourself.
   The first thing you need to talk about here is your professional skills. You can talk about studies, hobbies, and so on. You can ask a counter question to an employee.
   You: - Would you like to tell me about all your interests or only those related to work?
   

3. AND: - Why did you leave your previous job?
   This question is asked by every employer. If there were problems with the boss, then you do not need to tell the truth about it. Say that you were promised a promotion for a very long time, but it never happened. Or, for example, it was not convenient to get to work, as it was far from home, or an inappropriate schedule, or monotony in work, and so on. But this should be said only in cases where there are no such problems in this vacant position.
4. AND: - Desired and undesired salary level?
   Add +30% to the previous salary level and name the resulting figure. At a minimum, indicate (if asked) the desired salary + 10% more than the previous one.
5. AND: - For what period do you want to work with us?
   You can say that you will work here forever, but this is not true, because you have not even settled down and have not understood the meaning of the work. You can answer that you want to work for the beginning of the month and decide on the position you hold, get to know the team. Very often the atmosphere in the team exposes people to quit their jobs.
6. AND: - Do you have achievements that make you proud?
   Can you tell us about what you had an interesting graduation theme and you protected her perfectly. Boast a little about the fact that your friends appreciate you very much and consider you the soul of the company.
7. AND: - How do you look at recycling?
   Please consider this matter carefully. Find out how many hours it lasts, whether work on weekends is paid extra. Answer with confidence that you are ready for this, but only if it does not harm your personal life.
8. AND: - Why did you choose our company and work in it?
   This question will let the employer know what attracts you to work. Maybe you have heard of a good salary or additional bonuses. But it is better to mention this last. Say that the office is close to your home or that you have heard about a good opportunity for professional growth.

By the way, very often the employer checks the applicant for erudition, while asking non-standard situations. Here is one example of such a situation:

• And: - You are going to important negotiations. Having successfully completed them, you can get a good deal. But on the way to this meeting, your car breaks down. How will you act in this situation?
• You: - Get out of the car, catch a passing transport or taxi and get to the appointed meeting point.
• And: - The road passes through a dense forest, where there are no rides and taxis.
• You: - I will determine my location on the navigator and call a taxi.
• And: - You do not have a navigator and the battery on your phone has run out.
• You: - I'll try to troubleshoot the car on my own and move on.

What to wear to an interview?

Naturally, it would be better if you come in a business suit, but you should not buy an expensive suit that does not fit your status. Also, do not wear the newest and most expensive shoes and gold watches. This will not impress the employer. The color of the suit must be black or navy blue. It's about men.

For women, the requirements are basically the same. Do not wear too short a skirt. Optimally - to the middle of the knee or slightly lower. Do not wear open shoes. No need to dress provocatively and vulgarly, it will not be appropriate for an interview. If you have tattoos, then you should not show them. Also, you don't have to put on a lot. jewelry to keep everything to a minimum.

It is not necessary to buy an expensive classic suit for an interview. You can wear your usual clothes, choosing the right one. For a man - jeans and a jumper in light colors and black suede boots. For women, do not wear shiny belts, transparent blouses, high-heeled shoes, and so on.

Clothing must be clean and ironed. An expensive suit that has not been ironed looks unacceptable. Also, girls should not wear dresses with deep cutouts, ripped jeans, T-shirts and jackets with incomprehensible inscriptions. If a bright manicure is done, you should not wave your hands in front of the employer. Accuracy and a sense of proportion above all. Do not pour a whole bottle of perfume on yourself, especially with a pungent smell. Those around you will definitely not be pleased with this.

Clothing must be appropriate for the position. For example, you are going to an interview for a loan officer position. Naturally, if you wear shorts and a red T-shirt for this, the employer will be at a loss. Specialists should dress in a free style: jeans, shirts, jumpers. Middle managers already have to match the business style: a suit, shoes polished to a shine and a diplomat. The designer and the photographer should not adhere to the business style at all. No need to try to stand out from the team and divert attention to yourself. Be like the people around you.

Remember that when going to an interview, you should pay attention not only to your appearance, but also to what you will say there. Set a clear goal and an answer to the question of why you are going to this vacant position. Be sure to practice with a friend before this, especially if you go to some large company.

Often, instead of the usual interview with the head, companies conduct interviews in a different way. For example, a Skype interview. Recently, this form has become quite common. After learning about this, many candidates relax, thinking that it is much easier than coming to the office and talking in person. But it's not. This type of interview has exactly the same requirements as the usual interview with the employer. Questions are also no different from a personal conversation.

Another form is the group interview. It is divided into two types: a group of candidates and a group of interviewers.
If the interview is conducted in a group of candidates, then try to notice everything that happens, but do not be distracted by your own tactics. No need to try to surpass everyone and jump above your head. All of the above principles also apply to these interviews.

When you come to the interview, it is worth remembering that you did not come to ask. You are a professional and have come to find out whether the proposed conditions suit you or not. In other words, you have been made a business proposal and it is up to you to accept it or not.

List of Common Mistakes

Summing up all of the above, there are several common mistakes that candidates make for a vacant position:

Thus, when you come to the interview, you need to behave calmly and confidently. Be sure to think about your words and behavior. No need to hide your excitement, if you are very worried, then say it directly. No need to talk too fast or too slow, need to find golden mean and stick to it in everything. Gestures should also be used sparingly.

When talking about yourself, try to focus only on what will be interesting to the employer and what concerns the vacant position. Try not to lie.

Are the rest of your resume as close to the truth as this one?
“They have as much truth as you want. If the summary suits you, it is truthful. Otherwise, I will rewrite it.
Julian Barnes. "England, England"

Conclusion

Remember that the interview is an opportunity to present yourself. Everything is important here - from words to appearance. The employer does not know what (what) you are in life, it all depends on the first impression.

In the end, I would like to say that if, as a result of the interview, you were refused, then you do not need to be very upset. Look at everything from a positive perspective. If it didn’t work out with this work, then another one awaits you ahead, even better than this one. Instead, analyze your interview from start to finish: what and how you did, what was right and wrong, etc. This will help you in future interviews.

Recruitment starts with the first call or letter. In order to successfully pass the interview, it is important to immediately interest the employer, to distinguish yourself from the mass of other applicants, without violating the rules of etiquette and without showing nervousness.
Many companies (for example, online stores, operators cellular communication) start interviewing by phone. Even then they ask about the previous place of work, about character traits.
To feel confident and well prepared for an interview, just go through a few interviews and draw clear conclusions from them. Practice makes a master. And the main rule - do not fake anything. This is very noticeable in job interviews. We will tell you how to behave so that you want to be hired.

In this article you will learn:

• How to pass an interview;
• What questions are asked in an interview?
• Top interview mistakes.

Content

Questions that are often asked in an interview

1. Please tell us about yourself.

This is a chance to present not only professional, but also personal qualities that are valued in the community. Think ahead about what you want to say about yourself. Institute, school, hobbies, successes. Talk about yourself without false modesty, but also without boasting. The employer is looking for someone who can and wants perform important tasks. The one who will interesting work. You need to make it clear why you are interested.

The employer needs an active, but manageable, disciplined person, tolerant of criticism, able to listen and understand others.

It is useful to prepare and rehearse in front of a mirror a short speech about yourself, in which you list “hard” (professional) skills, as well as “soft” (communication) skills. If you know what your future responsibilities are, build your story around that. Reduce the formal details of the biography, do not get carried away with details. Talk about education, about your experience, about how you are responsible, teachable, disciplined.

Important! Emphasize that you are able and willing to do the work and that you would be interested.

2. Do you have any questions about our company?

You also need to be prepared for this. Important! Suggest to the employer no more than three questions. These questions should be really interesting for you.

3. Why did you choose us?

Refer to serious reasons: the possibility of professional growth, career prospects, the attractiveness of working in a modern company with a name. For example: "I consider your company to be competitive and very stable, I want to develop together with the company."

4. Do you have other suggestions? Were there any other interviews?

If so, say so, but mention that this firm is your priority. This will increase your chances. Be direct about other interviews, but don't go into too much detail. Your restraint will be appreciated.

5. Will family/children/private life interfere with business trips or overtime?

The question is borderline legal. Answer firmly: "It won't hurt."

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Communicate strengths, do not openly talk about weaknesses. Shift the emphasis, declare that you are trying to level the weaknesses with the strengths. So say: "I know my weaknesses, but I try to keep them to myself."

7. Why do you need this job? Why is it worth hiring you?

The most winning question will require you to have empathy. Consider what to answer to each specific recruiter. Get in their expectations.

8. Where did your previous work go?

In no case do not mention conflicts and do not criticize. If the employer is aware of any conflict, do not tell in detail, mention that these were special circumstances, a unique case. Tell us about the positive results of past work: experience, connections, skills.

9. If you are employed, why do you want to change jobs?

The question is difficult. Employers try on the answer. Perhaps it is worth talking about fatigue from a long-term routine, about the fact that you want professional growth and career refreshment.

10. How do you envision yourself in a few years?

Speak without details: I want to work in the same organization, to solve more and more responsible tasks.

11. What is your work experience?

It is important for an employer to see a hard-working person. Start by saying that your first work experience was during school holidays, mention all the practices and jobs, emphasizing the most responsible ones.

12. Salary

If you are asked immediately, at the beginning of the interview, try to competently postpone the answer until later, but if the interlocutor insists, name the amount that will suit both you and the organization, corresponds to the labor market standards at that moment, the organization's capabilities. If you do not have accurate information, then declare that you are ready to discuss the issue after familiarizing yourself with the scope and nature of your duties.

Good wording:

- I think the salary will be not lower than the average in your company

- salary for staffing for me

— I will be happy with a reasonable salary, corresponding to my workload and qualifications.

In addition, you may be asked:

- What else do you want to know? (never say you don't have questions, show interest, say "thank you" for the information provided).

What would you change if you came to work with us? (If you are hired for a leadership position - the answer is one, if not - completely different).

- tell us about your hobbies and lifestyle (it is important to mention hobbies that you can share with future colleagues).

How did you spend yesterday (today).

Preparing for an interview

The right attitude is important. Even if you have been unemployed for a long time, you have run out of resources and this vacancy is very important to you, keep restraint and a cool head. Step back, imagine that you are busy not for yourself, but for an important person for you. And work hard for it.

• From the first call and letter, even if you are talking to the secretary, be polite and listen to what you are told. Find out if there is a vacancy, who you are currently talking to, and who will be interviewing. Study the future interlocutor, find out at least the name and patronymic.
• Find out the address and go there before the interview, study the area, the road, so as not to be late. Arrive 5-8 minutes early, without haste, go to the restroom and examine yourself.
• Find out if you need to fill out a questionnaire or take a test. Find their profiles on the Internet and practice.

Documents you will need

Even if you sent them in advance, take them with you to navigate the conversation:

• summary (two copies); "
• the passport;
• diploma of education with an application;
• diplomas and certificates of additional education and skills.
• Letters of recommendation and reviews.

How to behave and what to say?

• Entering the firm turn off your phone. Say hello to everyone you see in the reception area. Ask for information about you. Entering the recruiter, say hello, be sure to address YOU by name and patronymic, say that you are pleased to receive an invitation to a conversation from this company.
• Sit face to face, feel free to move a chair if you are uncomfortable, do not sit on the edge, do not fall apart, do not tuck your legs in, do not fiddle with anything with your hands.
• Trust the interlocutor, speak openly and politely, at the end of the conversation, thank you for the time devoted to you.
• Don't lie at the interview, but don't give information against yourself either. Talk about previous experiences with restrained approval, without negativity. Make it clear that you want to work in this company, tell me why (by studying the site on the Internet, reviews, market information). Answers should be short but informative. No monosyllabic “yes” and “no”, but do not answer more than a minute or three to one question.

Body language, gestures, voice

They will say a lot about you. Let this be a story about a well-mannered person who sits beautifully (without spreading his knees, without crossing his legs, without rocking), keeps straight, but not constrained, does not wave his arms, does not step from foot to foot, does not make unnecessary movements at all. Facial expressions should be lively, but not excessive. A little excitement won't hurt. Moderate voice. It would be nice to listen to his recording before the interview and correct possible shortcomings.

Watch the interlocutor's reaction to you, and not your internal state.

Clothes, hair, make-up

Dress in the generally accepted urban style, modestly, moderately, tastefully, without excessive sex appeal. good quality, clean, whole clothes and shoes, neat hair, moderate, refreshing makeup, well-groomed hands - that's enough. Tight, baggy, inappropriate clothing indicates self-doubt and poor parenting.

There are many offers on the labor market and few vacancies, so it is important to attract attention and remain in memory. Within the framework of generally accepted office etiquette, you need to submit your winning business qualities and personal characteristics. They are no less important than professionalism. All this is within your power, because you are a worthy person.