How to behave in an interview? What questions are asked at the interview and what are the most correct answers to them? How to properly prepare for a job?
Hello dear readers! Alexander Berezhnov, one of the authors of the HiterBober.ru business magazine, is with you and is our guest today Ksenia Borodina - recruitment specialist, psychologist.
Ksenia has already conducted hundreds of interviews and knows all the intricacies of this important event. Our guest will share the tricks and secrets of practicing HR specialists and give effective recommendations to job seekers.
In one of the previous articles, we talked in detail about . And now we have come to the logical continuation of the topic - the interview.
1. What is an interview and in what form does it take place
Xenia, I salute you. I propose to start with the most important. Tell us, please, what is an interview, how is it carried out and what types of interviews exist? This is necessary so that our readers understand where they have to go and what to expect, since for some of them this will be the first experience of getting a job.
Hello Sasha. Let's start with a definition.
Interview- this is dating process a job seeker and a potential employer (his representative), as a result of which 2 parties want to receive the necessary information about how they fit each other.
There are several types of it.
For example, the number of participants distinguish between individual and group interviews.
- Individual interview. It takes place one on one, where the employer or his representative on the one hand and the applicant on the other participate.
- Group interview. As a rule, it is carried out by a professional recruiter (recruitment specialist) from a company in need of personnel, with a group of potential applicants for a vacancy. Group interviews are most often conducted for mass vacancies in companies, for example, for the position of "sales manager".
Interviews can also be divided according to the number of decision-making "instances". According to this principle, they are divided into single-level and multilevel.
As a rule, for executive positions that do not require a high level of training and great responsibility, applicants go through one interviewer. Such interviews are called single-level, that is, they involve a conversation with one person.
If you want to get the position of a sales assistant in a household appliance store, then more often you will be interviewed by the director of the store, where your further employment is expected. This is an example of a one-level interview.
Multilevel interviews involve the acquaintance of the applicant with representatives of several leadership levels.
For example, if you are applying for the position of a marketing specialist in such a large company as Coca-Cola, then you will be interviewed by the head of the regional branch, the head of the marketing department of the company's plant and the director of this plant.
Sometimes multi-level interviews are held in person with each "level", and sometimes communication with the candidate is carried out remotely.
Thanks to the development of modern means of communication, some managers prefer to conduct interviews via Skype (less often by phone).
This is especially true in cases where the applicant is looking for a job with the prospect of moving to another region or even another country.
The interview process itself is often stressful for the candidate. Indeed, as a rule, a person sends his resume to several organizations at once and receives an invitation to be interviewed, sometimes on the same day with an interval of several hours.
And each such meeting, where you need to competently present yourself, requires both physical and emotional effort.
2. Stages of passing the interview
Ksenia, I think that now our readers have got an idea about the interview as a process and its features, and now I propose to talk about the stages that the applicant goes through in the interview process and the features of each of them.
Indeed, the entire process of passing the interview can be conditionally divided into 4 stages:
- Telephone conversation;
- Preparing for the meeting;
- Interview;
- Summarizing.
Each of them has its own characteristics, which you need to talk about so that you, as an applicant, go through each of the stages as efficiently as possible and get the position you are applying for.
Stage 1. Telephone conversation
This is the first stage of direct communication with a representative of the company in which you are applying for a job. Usually it is a consequence of sending your resume to this company.
If the company is more or less large, then in most cases the employee responsible for recruiting will call you.
When talking to him, be polite, and also remember his (her) name and preferably position. Next, specify exactly where you need to come, (address) and at what time. Also specify a contact phone number for communication.
If you need to take something with you, for example, a passport, a document on education or a portfolio, then the recruiter will tell you about it during a telephone conversation.
Stage 2. Preparing for the meeting
At this stage, I recommend that you imagine your future interview with a potential employer and "live" it. This will be especially true for people who are afraid of the interview itself or they have a fear of failing a meeting with a recruiter.
To tune in to the process and overcome possible fears, I suggest you do the exercise "Meeting with the President". This is done before the interview.
Imagine that you have been invited to the Kremlin and are now sitting at a meeting with the president of the country. The video cameras of the leading TV channels are directed at you and a bunch of journalists are recording everything you say.
Try to imagine yourself in this situation and get used to this role. Think about what you will ask the president and what you want to tell him. What questions he will ask you and how you will publicly answer them.
To do this exercise, stay alone so that no one distracts you and imagine such a meeting in detail for 7-15 minutes.
Then go to your interview. After such a "visualization" you are guaranteed to be easier to pass it. After all, you have already experienced the most “terrible” interview in your life.
A few more words about preparation.
Preparing for an interview includes 3 important points:
- Preparation of self-presentation and its rehearsal;
- Preparation of a portfolio (awards, articles about you), works and examples confirming your competence for this vacant position;
- Rest and further entry into the "resource state". This term refers to your working state in which you are as focused and productive as possible.
Stage 3. Interview
To understand in detail how to pass a job interview, you need to be prepared for different nuances.
For example, very often a specialist who conducts a conversation with you will ask you questions and offer to complete small buildings (cases).
case- this is modeling (analysis) of a problematic or non-standard situation and ways to solve it by a candidate (applicant).
Suppose you are applying for the position of sales representative or sales manager.
To test your erudition, stress resistance, creative thinking and professional knowledge, a recruiting specialist will give you cases for analysis.
Case example:
Recruiter : You are on your way to meet an important client. Major negotiations that you have to conduct, if successful, can bring you a monthly income level and a promotion. Suddenly, your car breaks down in the middle of the road. Your actions?
You: I will get out of the car and try to get a taxi or passing transport to the meeting point with the client.
Recruiter : You were driving through a back road far from the city, there is no passing transport.
You: I will look on the navigator where I am and call a taxi to this place.
Recruiter : You do not have a navigator and your phone is dead.
You: I will try to fix the car breakdown by myself and then continue driving.
And so your recruiter can "drive" you, each time complicating the conditions in which you find yourself.
As I understand it, this is done in order to see if such a force majeure will lead you into a stupor and what exit options will you offer (savvy test)?
Sasha is absolutely right. Also, the HR specialist in this case wants to see how long you will try to find a way out of this situation (testing your perseverance).
One of the very popular cases is called "selling a pen." It is used primarily in sales interviews, but sometimes HR people play similar games with candidates for other positions.
Stage 4. Summing up
If at the meeting you were confident and clearly answered all the questions of the HR specialist, then you will have a great chance of getting the desired job.
At the end of the interview, you will be told how long you will receive an answer if you are hired. If you are going through a multi-level interview, then wait for an answer about passing the next stage.
I usually say this:
If I don't call you back by such and such a time, it means that we have made a decision in favor of another candidate.
You can also ask the recruiter yourself when exactly to expect the result of the interview and in what form it will be.
Now, if I get a job, I will definitely work out possible cases. Ksenia, I am sure that our readers will be interested to know how to behave in an interview and what can confuse an HR specialist in the behavior or appearance of a job seeker?
Sasha, indeed, should understand that the higher and more responsible the position for which a potential employee applies, the more requirements are placed on him.
Let me give you a few general key points from my practice that all candidates, without exception, should take into account when passing a job interview.
- Accuracy and neatness. This applies not only to the appearance, but also to your condition in general. Never come to an interview drunk, after a "stormy rest" or a sleepless night. In the eyes of a recruiter, you will immediately earn the status of a "reveler", and with it the rest of the interview's relevance will be called into question.
- Friendly and good manners. Whatever position you apply for, good manners and adequate behavior will definitely add points to you. Find out the name of your interlocutor and address him by name. Moreover, it is worth addressing exactly as he introduced himself. For example, if a recruiter said that his name is Ivan, then call him “You”. “Ivan, you said that ...” If he gave his name and patronymic, then this is exactly how you should address your interlocutor.
- Proficiency in professional terminology. You will definitely like a recruiter if without abusing terms, use them 3-4 times during your interview, and also explain how you use (used) these terms in practice. For example, if you say that at your previous job you were able to increase sales by 30% per month, thanks to an increase in conversion, by analyzing the number of incoming calls and the size of the average check, then this will count as a plus.
- General level of erudition. Also, a couple of times in the topic, you can mention famous books that you read or seminars in your specialty that you attended during the year. Recruiters pay attention to the craving for knowledge and the desire of a person for self-education. This is especially important if you are applying for management or "intellectual" positions in the company.
In a word, you need to "sell" yourself and show your best side. Moreover, this must be done both from a professional point of view and from the point of view of general human values and rules. If you want to get a job, it is important to correctly and clearly answer the questions of an HR specialist.
4. Interview questions and answers
I heard that there are a number of questions that almost all recruiters ask job seekers. Ksyusha, can you give some examples and good answers to them?
Oh sure.
In addition to the cases that you will be given at the interview, in order to successfully pass it, you will need to answer a number of tricky questions. They are also chosen by your recruiter for a reason.
After all, the decision to enroll you to work depends on how you answer them.
Interview questions and correct answers:
- Tell us about yourself. It would seem a simple task, but for many people it is at this moment that a stupor begins: “mooing” or “nuking”. Here you must present yourself from the best side within the vacancy for which you are applying. Briefly describe your education, work experience and achievements that distinguish you as a specialist. Speak clearly, without excess water and philosophizing.
- Why did you leave your previous job? Tell us here about your motivation "to", that is, that you are striving for development and new opportunities in work that you currently see in this position. Don't use the "from" motivation key, that is, "I ran away from bad conditions, low pay, and a rotting team." In no case do not scold the previous place of work and your former boss. After all, any person, including your interlocutor, will think that if you change jobs in the future, you will also speak negatively about his company.
- Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years or your plans for the long term? The best answer here is that you associate your professional future with this particular company. This way you will form an impression of yourself as an interested employee who is ready to devote a large amount of time to this work. After all, nowhere is the “turnover” of personnel welcomed.
- Do you have weaknesses (shortcomings)? If yes, please name 3 of them. By asking this question, the recruiter wants to understand the level of your maturity. A person who says that I do not see any shortcomings in myself or will think for a long time how to answer this question will lose points in the eyes of the personnel specialist. Do not answer like this: “My shortcomings: often late, conflict with colleagues (management), lazy.” It’s best to say here that you are a “workaholic”, that is, you like to go headlong into work, and this is not always right, a “perfectionist” - strive for perfection in everything and because of this, sometimes you lose speed. And your third drawback is the desire to establish good relations with everyone. And sometimes you are too kind to subordinates, because you do not want to punish them for the inadequate quality of the work performed.
- List your strengths. Describe your real strengths that are directly applicable to the job you are applying for and give examples with facts and figures. For example: “I believe that one of my strengths is the ability to think in numbers. At a previous job, I analyzed the sales funnel, identified patterns and, based on this, developed a new sales model that brought the company additional 500 000 rubles or 15 % for the first month of implementing my marketing model.”
- Did you make mistakes at your previous job? Which? Here honestly tell me exactly what mistakes you had. But the most important thing is that they are not fatal and be sure to supplement the answer to this question with the fact that you yourself corrected them. For example, you wrote the wrong mobile phone to the client and he returned to the store to exchange it. And you managed not only to avoid a conflict situation, but also to sell him additional accessories for the purchased mobile device.
- What level of compensation (salary) do you expect? Here you should objectively assess your competencies, say how much you want to receive and justify the benefit of the employer company if it makes its choice in favor of you as an employee. Also analyze the level of salaries offered by similar companies for similar vacancies.
- How did you hear about our company? Usually this question is asked by the employer's representative in order to find out which channel for searching for candidates is working. This question is not tricky, rather it is simply informational and is aimed at optimizing the search for personnel for this organization. Just answer as it is, for example, you found out about a vacancy on your company's website.
In addition to answering common questions, I have compiled a table to show which key criteria are important for a candidate and how they are confirmed.
A visual table of the main criteria for evaluating a candidate at an interview
The first column contains the evaluation criterion, and the second - indirect evidence that the candidate has this criterion.
| № | Candidate Quality | Proof |
| 1 | Honesty | Ability to be honest about your shortcomings with examples |
| 2 | Level of professional competencies | Examples of measurable achievements in the previous job, availability of awards and portfolio |
| 3 | Resilience and will | Manifestation of calmness when analyzing cases |
| 4 | Tact | Polite tone, soft gestures, open posture |
| 5 | Creativity | Quick and non-standard answers to tricky recruiter questions |
| 6 | General literacy rate | Correct speech, use of terms |
5. How to pass a job interview - 7 main rules
That is, as I understand it, an interview is a rather creative process and there are no clear standards in its conduct, or is everything here individually?
Quite right, Sasha. Every HR professional approaches the interview process differently. There are recruiters who simply technically "drive" the candidate through the list of questions, determining his prof. fitness.
I do it a little differently. That is, I approach the interview process individually for each applicant. I try not only to classify him according to the principle of "suitable / not suitable" as a specialist, but also to determine his psychological type, features of motivation and internal potential.
It's great, you can see that you really love what you do. Ksenia, let's now move on to the most important part of our interview and talk about what rules a candidate needs to follow throughout the interview from beginning to end in order to maximize the chances of getting the desired job?
If you have to be interviewed, then follow the following rules and then your interview will certainly open the way for you to career and financial opportunities in a new job.
Rule 1. Find out everything about a potential employer
This is the first and very important stage of preparation.
- Firstly, this information will help you find out who you are going to work with for a long time (perhaps several years). Open the Internet, the print press and see what exactly sets your potential employer apart from other companies. Perhaps this is the introduction of innovations, working conditions or methods of promotion (marketing).
- Secondly, all the data and facts you have learned about a potential employer will help you in your interview. In the process of passing the interview, compliment the company, show off the knowledge of the facts about it. All this will have a positive impact on the final decision on your candidacy.
What you need to know about the company you are applying for:
- History of creation and leadership. When it appeared - the year of foundation. Who is the leader now, and who was at the helm earlier. What are the features of the style of business management and what is the life philosophy of the top management. Also find out what the corporate identity and logo of the company symbolizes and what its corporate culture is. What values underpin the organization.
- Main directions of activity. What this organization produces or sells, and perhaps it provides services. What is their feature? Why did she choose this particular market segment?
- Features of doing business. Does the company have competitors and who are they? What is the scale of the organization's business, in what territory (city, region, country or international format company). How does seasonality and other factors affect the success of the company. How many employees work in it and what is their organizational structure.
- Achievements and important corporate events. Perhaps the organization has recently won a competition or opened a new office. This information will also be useful for a comprehensive understanding of the current affairs of the company.
- Facts and figures. What is the market share of the company in its segment and its financial performance: revenue, growth rate, number of clients and open offices.
Having comprehensive information about all the features of the future employer, you will certainly get advantages over other applicants.
Rule 2. We prepare a self-presentation and rehearse it
When you find yourself at an interview, in most cases you will be asked to tell about yourself. As I said earlier, it is this request that confuses many applicants.
So that this does not come as a surprise to you, you need to prepare in advance.
self-presentation- this is a short and capacious story about yourself in the context of the vacancy for which you are applying.
I emphasize that specifically in the context of a specific vacancy. That is, the emphasis in the story about yourself should be done on those qualities, experience and knowledge that will help you solve problems in the framework of your future work.
For example, if you are applying for the position of a sales manager, then, as part of your self-presentation, tell us what recent sales courses you took, what experience you have in this area. Maybe you are so passionate about this topic that you have created your own website on it or a “club of successful sellers” in your city.
If you have an education that will help you in such work, for example, in the specialties: marketing, advertising, PR, then focus on this. If you have a construction or medical education, then simply say that you have a secondary or higher education, without indicating its profile.
It would be advisable to name the direction of education if you will sell goods in a similar industry as part of the profession "sales manager".
For example, if you get a job in a trading company selling building materials, then a construction education will be an advantage in your situation.
You should not focus on your hobby in your self-presentation, unless it will positively affect the results of your work.
How to prepare your presentation for an interview
Conditionally break your entire presentation into several blocks.
For example, your self-presentation may consist of 4 main parts, interconnected in meaning:
- Education and professional experience.
- Your achievements with facts and figures.
- The benefits of working with you for the employer.
- Your professional plans for the future.
Once you've mapped out your presentation, it's time to rehearse it.
To begin with, say all the theses that you plan to voice to the personnel specialist at the interview.
Then sit in front of a mirror and look at yourself, say everything that you have prepared, based on your plan. Most likely the first time you forget something or start to stumble. Then your task is to bring your story to the ideal and imagine that you are now at the upcoming meeting and tell about your beloved.
Fact
Many people have a psychological barrier when it comes to presenting themselves in the best possible light.
Rule 3. We observe the appropriate "dress code"
As a rule, certain professions require a special style of clothing. So, if you are applying for an office vacancy, then your appearance at the interview should be appropriate.
- For men a light-colored shirt and dark-colored trousers or jeans are suitable.
- For girls it can be a blouse, a skirt of sufficient length and shoes with low heels.
If your future job involves active interaction with people in person, then in this case the requirements for your style of clothing will be especially high.
The exception to the rule is only "creative" professions. For example, a designer or photographer can afford to come to an interview in an extravagant outfit. In this case, your clothing style will emphasize a non-standard approach to solving creative problems.
In all other cases, "classic" and business style is your win-win!
Also, in addition to the main style of clothing, the presence of accessories is welcome.
Accessories may include:
- wrist watch;
- tie;
- decoration;
- stylish notepad;
- a pen;
- bag (purse).
Rule 4. Taking written notes during the meeting
An indicator of the general level of preparation of the candidate for the recruiter is the presence of the first notebook and pen. If you make notes to yourself during the interview, then first of all it will be very convenient for you. Indeed, at the end, based on your notes, you can ask clarifying questions or ask for clarification of the details of employment and other conditions for future work.
By the end of the meeting, you will have everything in full view. This is especially useful if you are doing multiple interviews at different companies so that you can then compare working conditions in different organizations and make an informed decision.
It is also necessary to take notes if you are going through a multi-level interview. Keeping the main points on paper will help you remember what was discussed at the meeting and better prepare for the next stages of the interview.
Rule 5. Make a list of questions for the recruiter
Typically, at the end of the meeting, your interviewer will ask if you have any questions for him. To do this, think in advance what you would like to know more.
You can write some questions for the recruiter at home in advance, and write some down right at the meeting in the form of notes. To do this, you must have a notebook and a pen with you.
Take care in advance that your notebook is of the proper aesthetic appearance. This means that if it is a “worn out” pack of yellowed sheets in which “fish was wrapped”, then this will characterize you as a sloppy potential employee.
Everything should be harmonious - this is an important principle for a successful interview.
Rule 6. Behave confidently and naturally in an interview
Do not try to “put on a mask”, be not yourself, or overly please your interlocutor. Unnatural behavior is easy to read by a person. Your facial expressions, gestures and style of conversation will involuntarily bring you to clean water.
It is better to go the other way in order to achieve a positive result. Follow the elementary rules of good manners, be polite and tactful.
Do not interrupt the interviewer, speak calmly, but with some enthusiasm in your head.
You should intuitively understand where and what is appropriate to say. After all, an interview is a process of mutual decision-making on the cooperation of two parties: you and the employer.
Rule 7. We ask when and in what form the results will be announced to you
I hope that using these simple rules, you will easily pass a job interview. At the end of the meeting, find out when and in what form to expect an answer about the results of the interview.
Simply put, how do you know if you've been hired or not?
Usually the recruiter himself will tell you at the end that the answer will be on such and such a day, for example, before 18 pm.
I tell my applicants that if I don't call you by 18:00 on such and such a day, for example, September 26, it means that you did not pass the interview.
Calling and personally telling everyone that their candidacy for this position was rejected is usually too troublesome.
Here's the rule at work:
“We called - congratulations, you have been hired! They didn’t call - your candidacy did not pass. ”
6. 5 Common Job Interview Mistakes
If you want to successfully pass a job interview and do it without “noise and dust”, then you should avoid the mistakes that I will discuss next.
This is what most applicants do, and because of simple ignorance of elementary things, they fail, losing the opportunity to make a long-awaited career.
Mistake 1. Fear of an interview or “schoolboy” syndrome
Once again I repeat that the interview is a process of mutual choice and both parties are equal participants in this process.
Some job seekers come to a meeting and their hands are shaking, their palms are sweating, their voice is trembling. It is this behavior that is typical for students and schoolchildren when passing the exam. They seem to be in the position of a rabbit, which the boa constrictor is looking at.
You don't have to be afraid of the interview.
It is a big mistake to think that now an evil uncle or aunt will torment you. Indeed, as a rule, a personnel specialist who has been entrusted with hiring a person is a benevolent and attentive person whose goal is to find that very “gold bar” in a pile of ore and clay.
If you shine like gold with your talents, competent speech and show real examples of achievements and your competencies at the interview, then do not hesitate, you will be hired for this job!
Mistake 2. Passing an interview without preparation
In almost every previous block of our interview, I talked about the importance of preparation before the interview.
Don't neglect this rule.
Impromptu is good in many situations, but not at the time of the interview. And as many people know, the best impromptu is impromptu prepared.
Follow all the above rules and the consequences of this mistake will not affect you.
Mistake 3. Excessive heart-to-heart talk with a recruiter
Sometimes applicants get so carried away during the interview process that they deviate from the main topic and begin to “pour out their souls” to the personnel specialist.
This mistake is often found just among inexperienced applicants or candidates for lower technical positions, such as a loader, storekeeper, worker, and so on.
As a rule, among more prepared applicants applying for more responsible positions in the company, this mistake does not occur.
But still remember that you should not deviate from the topic if you want to get a job in a good organization and enjoy the well-deserved respect there.
Mistake 4. Poor health and stress as a factor in failure
Anything can happen in life, and if you have an interview scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow, and you feel bad or something serious happened to you that completely unsettled you, try to reschedule the meeting. In this case, notify the employer's representative by phone in advance.
After all, anything can happen: a child gets sick and you need to go to the hospital, a relative got into an accident, or you simply got poisoned by stale food.
Don't go to an interview depressed, in a bad mood, or not feeling well.
Mistake 5. Tactlessness, defiant behavior
Some job seekers are like tanks and turn the interview into a show, demonstrating not their best qualities. Those who like to argue with the interlocutor will definitely not get the desired job.
If a person behaves tactlessly and disrespectfully towards the partner side, then this immediately characterizes him as a brawler and potentially unsuitable employee.
As the cat Leopold said in the famous cartoon: "Guys, let's live together!".
So, you need to make friends with your interlocutor.
After the meeting, the representative of your employer should have an impression of you both as a good specialist in your field and as a pleasant and cultured person.
Don't Make These 5 Common Mistakes and Success is Guaranteed!
7. Illustrative video examples of how to successfully pass an interview from the TV channel "Success" in the program "Personnel decide"
Here I want to give you some real examples of interviews with expert comments.
Be sure to watch them, because from the outside it is much easier to analyze the strengths of some applicants and the mistakes they make.
1) Interview for the position of sales manager of corporate tours:
2) Interview for the position of assistant manager:
3) Interview for the position of TOP manager:
You can find other episodes of this show on YouTube. It is possible that among them there will be an analysis of the case of the vacancy for which you are applying.
8. Conclusion
Xenia, thank you very much for such detailed answers. I hope that now it will be much easier for our readers to pass an interview for a job.
- Prepare for the interview ahead of time;
- At the meeting, behave naturally and do not worry;
- Follow the rules of the dress code;
- Be optimistic and friendly with the interlocutor.
Alexander, thank you for inviting me. I hope we will continue to cooperate.
I wish you all good luck and career growth!
Cheating is not good, we were told in childhood. There are also white lies, we understood with age. What about employment? Is it possible to deceive a potential employer and what is better to remain silent at an interview?
About the situations in which the word is silver, and silence is golden, read the article.
All the secret becomes clear
Trite, but true: one of the main rules for a successful interview is not to deceive the recruiter. Attributing to yourself duties that you didn't perform, skills that you don't really own, jobs that don't exist - all this is an absolute taboo for a person who is tuned in to a successful career. An experienced recruiting manager can easily recognize your lie - he has a lot of appropriate tricks in his arsenal.
But even if he does not succeed, then the candidate who got a job by deceit, most likely, will not expect anything good. Colleagues will quickly realize that, for example, his allegedly “fluent English” is actually not far from high school level, and “extensive experience in organizing events” is just the ability to order coffee for business meeting participants on time.
And yet it's no secret that some information can be a significant hindrance to employment. Is it worth it on your own initiative to inform the recruiter about some details of your life? What is better to be silent about in a resume and at an interview?
Too short period of work
It happens that the applicant has some negative professional experience. For example, a short period of work, not reflected in the work book - a person made a mistake, he did not like the team or the duties seemed uninteresting, and he quit a week or two after employment. Or he didn’t even quit himself, but the manager asked - as they say, it didn’t grow together, it didn’t work out.
Should such a short period of work be included in the resume? A resume is a document reflecting the skills and abilities of an applicant. Has the candidate acquired any useful skills in such a short period of work in the company? Hardly. So save the recruiter from unnecessary information - write in the resume only what is really significant.
Another thing is if a short period of work in the company is reflected in your work book. In this case, the question of the reasons for such a rapid dismissal will certainly arise with the recruiter - either at the interview, or already in the process of paperwork. You should not deceive the employer: honestly say that you made a mistake, made the wrong decision when hiring, and then realized your mistake and, without wasting time on a job that was not interesting for you, quit. It is better if the recruiter receives this information before he finds an entry in the work book already during the execution of documents.
Conflicts with former management
Most applicants for an interview cannot be avoided. It’s good if you left the old company solely for the purpose of further professional growth and development - such an answer will demonstrate to the recruiter your high internal motivation for work and will be a point in your favor. But what if the reason for the dismissal was a serious conflict with management or colleagues?
You need to understand that a detailed story about how your boss bullied you and how you suffered from petty sabotage by colleagues will be a very serious minus of your candidacy in the eyes of the recruiting manager. Such an applicant may well be considered conflicting, unconstructive and unable to work in a team.
On the other hand, a clear deception on your part (“The relationship with the manager was excellent, I just wanted to develop in a related field”) is at least unethical, and at the most dangerous for your career. After all, a lie can be revealed if a recruiter, for example, decides to apply for recommendations at your previous place of work.
How to be? Look for the golden mean. Think over your answer so that it is not a deception, but also does not deprive you of a job opportunity. Do not criticize the former boss for the eyes, be prepared to find something good in the experience gained with his help. “My former leader and I had diverging views on some work issues. I realized that the company was not ready for the transformations that I propose, and decided to look for another job”; “I am grateful to the team for teaching me how to work within a frequently changing environment, but still my goal is a slightly different job,” such answers, if they sound sincere, will completely satisfy the recruiter.
About personal
Sometimes recruiters ask. It happens that they seem to candidates not too ethical, in which case you can delicately avoid answering. Of course, you should not lie, but no one obliges you to tell on your own initiative about the divorce you experienced or about plans to have a child in a year.
In this situation, it is important to dress your answer in a diplomatic form. For example: “It says on your resume that you are divorced. What caused the divorce? “I don’t quite understand what this has to do with my future work, but since you ask, I’m ready to answer. My wife and I just didn’t get along.”
Jobs, failures, problems...
What else can you keep silent about at an interview, unless, of course, you are asked about it, as they say, in the forehead? You should not, on your own initiative, tell the employer about the part-time jobs that you did as an employee of the previous company: this will make him think about whether you are ready to devote yourself to work entirely.
Think carefully before telling a recruiter about the details of an unsuccessful project with your participation, unless, of course, he himself asks you about it. It is better to remain silent about the fact that you once had problems with alcohol, but you coped with it, and about other personal problems that have been successfully resolved for a long time.
And yet the line between lies and silence is very thin. To remain silent about some serious circumstances that may later affect your work (for example, that your child is often ill and you will have to take sick leave from time to time) is to jeopardize your reputation as a decent person. In other words, it is up to you to decide what to talk about and what to keep silent about at the interview.
To begin with, let's try to figure out how to talk correctly at a job interview, and what not to say at an interview, as well as how to behave in general.
The best option is to be polite to everyone in the organization you meet, whether it's an HR employee or the boss himself.
At the first visit, you will almost certainly have to fill out some forms or, it is better to do it willingly, without being indignant at the number of questions.
Look into the eyes of the interlocutor, let the look not be running.
Don't be overly nervous or allow yourself to be overly cheerful.
At the first meeting, you need to pay special attention to your own. For example, choose a formal business suit that will instantly give you a significant look.
Take care of cleanliness, your hair and accessories. In no case should you appear in dirty, wrinkled clothes, open-style items, too flashy accessories.
So, the preparation has been completed, and what should be said at the interview to get hired?
How to communicate with the employer?
The employer will first of all pay attention to the following qualities:
- appearance;
- sociability;
- quick wits;
- competence in issues that need to be addressed in the workplace;
- non-conflict, accommodating;
- work experience;
- desire to work and achieve career growth;
- energy.
At the first meeting with the employer is important. And clearly understand how to communicate in an interview.
The following points are of great importance.:
Questions asked by the boss. You should not bombard him with endless “why” and “why”, it is best to carefully listen to the information that he tells you. How to talk in a job interview?
Try to answer all the questions as fully and clearly as possible. Answers should be detailed and contain only the right words.
Dont lie. You should not come up with false reasons for leaving your previous job or embellish your merits and abilities. Remember that all this is easily verified, and if you do not want to be in a stupid position, always tell the truth.
Prepare your resume in advance and print it out when you go to the interview.
Use terms from the field of the position you want to get. For example: "I believe that sales in your car dealership can be increased by 10% if you apply a new sales model."
If an employer asks you about your shortcomings, you don’t need to “denigrate” yourself in advance with statements that you like surfing the Internet, sleep a lot, and are often late. What is better to say at the interview in this case? It is acceptable to express it like this: "I am very strict with myself", "very prone to cleanliness." This will actually show you from the best side, expose you as a neat, clean and responsible person.
Many people ask: “What to say at the interview if you haven’t worked for a long time?” In this case, it is worth justifying the reasons without going into personal details.
How to communicate with the applicant?
When interviewing an applicant, you need to follow a number of recommendations and take into account what is customary to say at an interview, and what is better to avoid:
- assess the appearance of a person, how clean, tidy and appropriately dressed he is;
- the conversation should start with a short story about the company, at the same time it will be possible to find out if a possible employee has read anything about the organization he wants to get a job in;
- it is necessary to clarify information about the previous place of work, the reason for leaving;
- ask about experience in various fields, about education, about situations that you had to deal with at work in order to form your opinion about the professional competence of a person;
- you can play in front of the applicant several situations that are common in his future job. For example, how to convince a very capricious client to buy this or that thing.
How to correctly answer questions?
What to say in a job interview? The most important rule is to listen carefully, without turning your head and not being distracted by foreign objects or other people. 
You should not answer in monosyllables, it is better to give a detailed answer to 3-4 sentences, moreover, to the point.
If you talk about your life, then you should not remember all its events, starting from kindergarten, it is better to limit yourself to education, marital status, business trips. It is better to write down possible questions in advance and rehearse the answer in front of a mirror at home. You can also prepare information about yourself, your past employment.
At the interview, the applicant can also ask his own. Most importantly, they should be clear and have an idea of the scope of future work. Do not immediately rush into questions about the salary.
How not to answer?
When answering questions from the employer, the following possible mistakes should be avoided:
- be silent for a long time, considering the answer;
- answer in one word;
- speaking too quietly, too loudly, or unintelligibly;
- give out their nervousness, spinning in a chair or turning around;
- speak inappropriately, stammer.
Now you know what to say in a job interview, let's figure out what not to say.
What not to say in an interview?
In some cases, it happens that the interlocutor made an excellent impression with his track record and skills, but during the interview he suddenly says such a thing that instantly crosses out his opportunity to work in this company. Is there anything you shouldn't say in an interview? Yes, definitely.
Such "mistakes" must be avoided.:
It's bad to talk about the bosses at the previous place of work. For example: "this Ivan Ivanovich constantly annoyed us all."
More than once.
Talk about what you want. For the employer, this is not important, what matters is only what the company needs.
Ask about sick leave. This topic is best avoided, since there are no employers who would be satisfied with the constant illness of their subordinates.
Do not talk about personal. For example: “It’s so hard for me now, I divorced my husband and moved to the other side of the city, so I’m looking for a new job.”
Can't use slang. Chatting too much will also not be appropriate, since employers value clarity and specificity first of all. First, think carefully about what to say in the interview.
Another point from the section is what you can’t say at a job interview: you don’t need to show that you are smarter than everyone else, fill up your interlocutor with scientific terms and concepts.
In any case, you need to prepare for such an important event as an interview in advance, taking into account all the nuances. Even if you don't pass it, don't get too upset - it's an invaluable experience from which you can learn a lesson for the future. Well, now you know what to talk about at a job interview.
Watch the video: how to prepare and what to say in a job interview.
Hello dear friend!
Agree, it’s a shame to spoil your “mass” with some stupidity. Out of ignorance or inattention. Therefore, on the questionwhat you can’t say at the interview - I decided to stop separately.
Adhere to the principle: "You are the main reason for everything that happens to you."
The loser is not necessarily stupid and not the fact that he is stupid. Try to entrust him with a difficult task and he will show miracles of ingenuity to find reasons why it cannot be solved. Or why it should be decided by someone else.
“Have you had any failures? What is their cause, who is to blame?
You noticed that the question has two parts. The second part of "Who is to blame?" - Slightly provocative.
It looks rather primitive, but many job seekers cannot resist the temptation and begin to throw the blame right and left. Gets to the former leaders and the government, and God knows who else.
Now try to sit in the place of the employer and ask yourself: would you like to have such an employee in your team?
So, don't fall into the "loser syndrome" trap. stock up examples how you solved problems and overcame difficulties.
2. “You have to…” conversation
There are applicants who have the lion's share in their heads of various aspects of labor legislation. Willingly or unwittingly, they begin to slip into their speech.
Many believe that they came to the interview to discuss working conditions, showing with all their appearance that “you can’t rummage around like this ...”. Surprisingly, there are candidates who seem to still live in the USSR, with its hegemony of the proletariat and universal employment.
Try to remember: there is a time for everything. Until you " sold » itself, to discuss working conditions means to run ahead of the locomotive. With all the ensuing…
Until you have been offered a job, you can forget about the existence of the labor code. But when the offer was made, remember, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
3. Don't take the recruiter for a fool
“Do you have flaws? What kind?"
“I am a workaholic. And I don’t notice how time flies,” the candidate answers with a satisfied smirk.
This is clearly a learned answer. Plus it's template. Responses like these act on recruiters like a red rag on a bull. There is hardly a person who likes to be treated like a blockhead in the old Polish preference. The recruiter is no exception.
About the answer like "I have no shortcomings" - generally keep quiet.
4. Stupid questions
If you are applying for the position of a manager or a senior specialist and asking the question “what will my job responsibilities be”, then this is a stupid question. The following reasons:
- Something else is expected of you. Namely, productivity at work. If you came to a commercial company to perform duties, most likely - you have the wrong door.
- Responsibilities are listed in the job description. You didn't read or don't remember? Standard responsibilities as outlined in a typical job description professional knows so. If you ask a question about responsibilities, most likely you cannot be classified as a professional.
5.“ I'm cool!"
When you talk about your accomplishments, you attribute success solely to yourself.
It's a kind of childhood disease. Pretend to be a stone-jawed Superman in impenetrable armor. Any more or less reasonable person understands that it is impossible to achieve success in an organization alone. Talk about the team and your role in it. Otherwise, your success will be questioned.
6. Reasons for layoffs
I'm not going to say here that you can't scold previous employers. I think you yourself know, because everyone who is not lazy talk about it.
About how to correctly state the reasons for leaving, there is a separate .
Frankly lying, for example, that the relationship was wonderful is also not worth it. It is better to look for the golden mean.
If the reason for dismissal flaunts in the work book, you can also find a way out. For example, as stated in my article at work.ru.
7. Lies
As someone smart said:
“He has only two shortcomings: First, he is lying. Secondly, he can’t lie!”
Try to get rid of at least one of them.)
But keep in mind that women (recruiters are more often representatives of the beautiful half of humanity) read lies intuitively, subconsciously. Facial expressions, gestures, intonations.
And second, recruiters often communicate with each other and exchange "black" lists. Once you get into one, you can complicate your life.
Common mistakes in conversation
- Talk directly about the problems of the employer. Eit just ruins the mood. If the interlocutor himself begins to discuss problems, we turn on.
- Talk too much or be silent. If you talk a lot, it gives the impression that you are "selling". If you remain silent, the interlocutor will not know anything about you. Then why did you come here?
- Rewrite resume. He's already read it, don't you have anything more to say?
- Tell the story of life. Talk about hobbies, skills that are not related to work.
- “Load” terminology and abbreviations. Especially to trump it. Your speech should be understandable to anyone .
- When asked what the company is interested in, say “I just need a job” or that you want to work with good people. How to answer correctly, see
Most recruiters do not have the skills to conduct a comprehensive personality analysis. They see the job description and your resume. And they just try to compare one with the other and evaluate your adequacy, demeanor, asking standard questions.
The general principle is this: it is not necessary to talk about everything that is not related to this work.. If you decide to say something, find such a connection. And it's better to do it in advance, so as not to become like Ostap Bender, who began to speak, but could not finish it properly :)
Thank you for your interest in the article.
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Have a nice day and good mood!
To paraphrase a well-known aphorism, we can say: who owns the information, he owns the situation at the interview.
Before heading to the office, find out:
- with whom you will talk: with the boss, the head of the personnel department or his ordinary employee;
- interview format (group or individual, question-answer or self-presentation);
- dress code and things you need to have with you (documents, gadgets, etc.);
- how to get there (it is unacceptable to be late).
It will help to find out if this is the company's website or a call to the office.
Map answers to common questions
Interviews when applying for a job are of the same type and at the same time they are not similar to each other. Many have heard of stressful interviews where they can suddenly start yelling at the applicant to unsettle him. There are also so-called case-interviews: the applicant is placed in certain circumstances (for example, a conversation with a dissatisfied client) and they watch how he solves the problem.
It is not always possible to find out what type of interview is preferred in a particular company, so you need to be ready for anything.
To do this, make a card with answers to typical questions and requests (they are asked in 99.9% of cases):
- top 5 of your main strengths;
- what are you good at;
- strategic directions of self-development;
- proposals for the work of the company;
- your life and work philosophy;
- your short and long term goals;
- unusual tasks that you had to solve.
You should also prepare in advance a list of topics that you would like to discuss with the HR manager.
Interpret the employer's questions
"A" doesn't always mean "A", and two times two doesn't always mean four. Recruiters sometimes ask insidious questions, where behind the simple wording lies a cunning plan - to get the applicant to say more than they should.
A simple question: "What salary would you like to receive?". But the answer helps the interviewer understand your motivation: money, social security, work schedule, and so on. If you are asked if you had conflicts with management and how you resolved them, then most likely the HR manager wants to know if you tend to take responsibility or are used to shifting it to others.
Tricky questions are many. You need to be able to see the "double bottom" (without fanaticism!).
Consider your non-verbal behavior
HR managers are people, not machines. They, like everyone else, pay attention to non-verbal signs: appearance, facial expressions, gait, gestures, and so on. An experienced professional can be refused just because he behaved incorrectly.
Consider body language ahead of time. If from excitement you habitually twitch your leg, then sit cross-legged. If you're tapping your fingers on the table, try something to occupy your hands with, like a ballpoint pen.
HR managers are people, not machines. They understand that you are worried. But naturalness in non-verbal communication will increase your credibility.
Set taboo on some topics
“Tell me about yourself,” the interviewer asks. “I was born on April 2, 1980 (according to the horoscope Taurus). In his youth he played football, was the captain of the city team. Then he graduated from the institute ... ”- if the applicant’s story is something like this, he will not see the position as his ears.
There are things that are absolutely uninteresting to the employer and which in no way characterize you as a professional. In the given example, this is the year of birth (this can be read in the resume), the sign of the zodiac and sports achievements.
There are topics on which you need to impose a taboo for yourself:
- summary summary;
- personal life goals (buying a house, having children, etc.);
- reputation of the company and its employees;
- skills and experience that are not related to future work (I am an excellent cook, I understand plumbing, etc.);
- failures that demonstrate incompetence.
Just as you have made a plan for what you will talk about, write down and memorize the topics that should be ignored. Also think about how to correctly answer if you are still asked about it.
Contemplate to calm down
Interviews are nerve-wracking. You can forget your name, not to mention the demonstration of business qualities.
Take a look around to calm down. Inspect the office, equipment, employees. The details will tell you a lot about the company where you are going to get a job, and their analysis will help bring the nervous system back to normal.
Taking a critical look at the firm and future colleagues can increase your sense of self-importance. Remember: a company needs a good employee as much as you need a good job.
Take the initiative
In an interview, as a rule, there comes a moment when the interviewer and the interviewee change places and the applicant has the opportunity to ask questions of interest to him.
Do not waste time on useless “Will you call me yourself or should I call you back?”, “Why is this position open?” and so on. Show yourself as a proactive employee. Ask:
- Does the company have any actual problem? How do you think I can help you?
- Could you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
- What advice would you give to someone who is starting to work for your company?
There are also a number of questions that should not be asked. Which ones - click on the button below.
Following these tips will prepare you for your interview and increase your chances of getting hired.
Are there additions? Write them in the comments.
