A job interview is a crucial moment when it is decided whether or not a candidate will receive a job offer. Responsible preparation is a prerequisite for a successful job interview. In practice, we recommend focusing on the following points when preparing for a successful job interview:
1. Read the Invitation
Before the job interview, each candidate receives an invitation stating the place and time of the meeting, the name and position of the specialist who conducts the interview, or other information about what the candidate should bring to the meeting or study. Candidates are advised to find the ideal route, or a connection to the meeting place, and to time their arrival correctly. It is advisable that the candidate remembers the name of the person he/she is to meet, or that he/she can view his/her profile on the LinkedIn work network so that he/she can orientate himself/herself in his/her specialization and be able to adapt his/her preparation.
2. Look for Information
A very important point of preparation is to get as much information as possible about the job position and the company for which the position is being filled. The advantage of cooperation with a personnel-consulting company is the fact that the specialist who recommends the candidate for the position usually has an excellent overview of both the position being filled and the company. For GWR, it is standard to prepare the candidate for a job interview with the employer as part of a telephone or personal consultation. In addition to generally available information, the candidate will receive from his/her consultant an overview of the company culture, the atmosphere in the workplace, as well as recommendations on how to best present himself/herself.
3. Dress Appropriately
The question of how to dress properly for a job interview is very often discussed. Our recommendation is that the candidate adapts his/her clothing to the type and seriousness of the position. For example, if a candidate is applying for the position of maintenance technician, it is not necessary for him to come to the interview in a suit with a tie, but it is a matter of course to maintain a certain standard of clothing with regard to the situation. In general, bold colors, ripped trousers, shorts, T-shirts with inscriptions, provocative clothing, etc. are considered inappropriate and non-standard in the interview.
4. Arrive on Time
The first impression cannot be made twice and punctuality is the first plus point that a candidate can gain. It is ideal to arrive at the job interview about 15 minutes before it starts. It is inappropriate to be late for such a meeting, but it is also not recommended to arrive too early. In the event that, even with the best intention and preparation, the candidate for the job interview is late, we recommend calling the personnel-consulting company that recommended him or her, or directly to the company where the interview is to take place and apologize in advance.
5. Think About Self-Presentation
It is assumed that at the interview the candidate will be given space to introduce himself/herself and talk about his/her work experience and knowledge. It is advisable to prepare for this situation and think about your self-presentation in advance. The candidate should know what he/she wants to say about himself/herself, what he/she is proud of, what he/she has achieved at work, etc., because it is the information that can highlight him/her in the eyes of a potential employer. If the candidate does not know how to present themselves, it does not look good.
6. Review Your Resume
The candidate should be proficient in all his/her previous jobs and talk about them fluently. In other words, he/she should prove that what is stated in the CV is true and up-to-date.
