1. Get ready
Doing your homework and finding out about the company you are applying for is essential. If the question “What do you know about our company” is asked and you will not be able to answer it, you can be sure that there will be a big minus next to your name. Even if the recruiter does not show it. Find out what the company does. Where it has its other headquarters (if any). What is the opinion about it in trade magazines or on forums? Who is in competition with a given company. The goal is not to overwhelm the recruiter with random facts about the company. This will help you prove that you have “done your homework”. The goal is to understand the company’s business situation. This will be useful as it will help you give informed and accurate answers during your job interview. The more you know about the company, the easier it will also be to prepare an appropriate list of questions to ask during the interview, which brings us to the next point.
2. Keep a dialogue
An interview is a field of getting to know each other. Check not only if the candidate fits the company, but also if the company matches the candidate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how your company and team work. The atmosphere in the company. In personal relationships, we feel sympathy for people who show interest in us. Likewise, the recruiter will approach a candidate who asks the right questions and not just answers them. Asking questions during an interview suggests that we are interested in the company and are actively thinking about how we would fit into the team. This is not a question like “Is there a bus stop nearby?” but for thoughtful questions arising from the knowledge of the company and its position on the market.
3. Be interesting
HR manager: “Why should we hire you?”
You: “Because I have the appropriate qualifications and experience. I am a hard working and committed person. I take the initiative and work well in a team. ”
If the recruiter asked you this question, then he also asked it to all other candidates for the same position. Most of them probably responded in a similar, patterned way. While conducting many parallel recruitments for various positions, the HR manager meets many people. It’s good to fall out of the conversation so that you are remembered. “Jan Kowalski, who was it?” If it turns out that we are remembered as “the one with good experience for the position of an accountant in glasses and a blue shirt”, then after a few days we will not stand out from other accounting candidates with good experience. Don’t be afraid to list interesting facts that set you apart as both a professional and a cool person. Mention your passions, interesting projects in which you participate outside working hours. Tell me about the interesting situation in the previous position. When you helped the company or a colleague to solve the problem thanks to your qualities.
4. Don’t feel inferior to the recruiter
Just as you don’t go out on dates to satisfy only someone’s requirements, in a professional situation you should assume that you are looking for a company and a team with which you will fit well. Search for chemistry. Do not constantly focus on the recruiter’s body language, looking for signs of approval or disapproval. Don’t change your personality to please the HR manager. You will end up working for fear makers that you are likely to be underestimated. If you are aware of your value and what you can offer with your experience and personality, you will be able to approach such a conversation with a completely different attitude. You will not get confused with the answers. Wanting to provide one that will satisfy the interlocutor. Because you will treat the interlocutor as a partner who is the same person as you. If all goes well, you will get an interesting job offer in a place where you will be happy to be. If the energy is not right – are you sure you want to spend most of the day in a place that will clip your wings? Or make you feel unappreciated?
