So, you’ve sent out your CV and landed a job interview? You’re probably feeling both excited and nervous, right?
No need to worry — we’ve got you! Our People Ops team has prepared an expert guide to help you get ready. With expert tips, preparation steps, and advice on staying calm, we’ve answered it all.
Basics of Preparing for an Interview
There are thousands of tutorials with hundreds of steps to prepare for an interview online. However, Apliteni experts believe that successful preparation comes down to two main basics. By following these, you can pass most interviews and feel confident in yourself.
These two basics are: preparing yourself and preparing for the interviewer. Let’s break them down and explore what each is about.
Preparing Yourself
First, ask yourself, “What do I want from a job?” You need to understand the motivation behind your current job search. Your motivations could be different: new position, better salary, or team — knowing them will help you organize your thoughts and understand what to ask in an interview.
Next, create a well-thought-out CV. Review your previous achievements, skills, and key metrics. This process not only helps you understand your qualifications and strengths but also boosts your confidence and reduces anxiety.
Finally, improve your interview skills. While not an innate ability, being a good interviewee is a skill that can be developed. Practice by conducting mock interviews with tools like ChatGPT or Google Interview Warmup. This will help you refine your responses, improve communication, and enhance your overall performance.
Preparing for the Interviewer
Start by researching the company to see if it aligns with your motivations. If there are areas of uncertainty, like salary or team communication, make a note to ask about them during the interview.
It’s also important to check reviews from current and former employees. You can easily find this information by googling “[Company Name] reviews”. Additionally, platforms like levels.fyi can provide insights into salary expectations.
The goal of this research isn’t just to impress the interviewer by showing how much you know about the company. Instead, it’s about ensuring the company is a good fit for you. Understanding this will help you feel more motivated during the interview and more confident that your interests align with the company’s.
Answering Common Questions about Interview Preparations
Now that we’ve gone through the basics of preparing for an interview, let’s get into some specific topics. For that, we’ve asked our People Ops experts some common questions people have about interviews. Let’s go through them and see the answers.
“How to prepare for an online job interview?”
Before the interview, ensure you have all the necessary software installed and ready. Ask the recruiter which platform you’ll be using: Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype. Don’t forget to check if you’ll need additional software, for example, for live coding.
Next, test your microphone and camera to ensure they work properly.
Having a reliable camera and microphone is important for remote positions. Holding a phone during the interview due to a lack of equipment or poor sound quality might suggest you’re not fully prepared for a remote role.
“What to wear for the interview?”
For a remote interview, opt for something casual but appropriate. Avoid clothing with potentially rude or political images and text. To be on the safe side, consider wearing a plain T-shirt or blouse. Also, make sure to wear a top, regardless of the temperature.
“How should I talk to a recruiter?”
Your approach depends on the company and the recruiter. You’ll likely understand whether they prefer a formal or casual tone in the first few minutes.
In general, being friendly is the best approach when talking to new people and recruiters. Avoid using slang or making too many jokes. Simply be polite, share your story, answer their questions, ask yours, and keep the conversation natural.
If the recruiter asks personal questions unrelated to the job and you’re uncomfortable answering, politely set boundaries and let them know you prefer not to discuss those topics.
“How to deal with stress before an interview?”
Feeling anxious before an interview is common. After all, you’re meeting someone new, trying to prove your worth, and hoping to land the job. Even recruiters feel nervous when they’re job hunting.
To help you relax, consider turning on some calming music and enjoying a light meal with tea. Eating can release dopamine, which helps reduce anxiety and calm you down before the interview.
Another effective technique is the S.T.O.P. method:
- Stop what you’re doing and focus on your thoughts;
- Take a few deep breaths;
- Observe what’s happening in your body, emotions, and mind to reflect on why you feel this way;
- Proceed to apply what you’ve observed in your actions.
“Do recruiters notice tattoos?”
While there’s a common belief that tattoos aren’t work-friendly, attitudes have shifted in recent years. In fact, nearly 3 out of 4 employers say they don’t mind hiring people with tattoos.
However, there are exceptions. For certain roles, especially those involving direct interaction with clients or partners, having visible tattoos might make it more challenging to secure a job. But, in general, you shouldn’t worry about having tattoos as much as before.
“How to answer “Tell me about a time when…” questions?”
We all know these questions and have an ick each time we hear them. Usually, they focus on your best experience and your biggest failure.
It’s important to understand that the recruiter isn’t trying to catch you out. Quite the opposite, these questions are opportunities to highlight your strengths. For instance, when asked about a failure, the goal is to show how you handle difficult situations.
To craft a strong response, you can use the STAR method:
- Situation: Set the scene and provide relevant details;
- Task: Describe your responsibility in that situation;
- Action: Explain the steps you took to address it;
- Result: Share the outcomes of your actions.
Using these four components makes it easier to give a focused answer, offering the interviewer a clear and compelling narrative of your actions.
“What should I ask the recruiter?”
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all set of questions, as everyone is looking for something specific to them. That’s where preparing yourself comes into play. It’ll be clearer which points are most important to you when you know why you want the job.
To help keep track of the details, especially when having multiple interviews, create an Excel table listing your points. During each interview, fill in the relevant information. By the end, you’ll easily see which fields are empty, allowing you to ask the questions that matter most to you.
“What if I understand this position isn’t for me during an interview?”
That’s perfectly fine — after all, the interview is a chance for both you and the company to see if you’re a good fit for each other.
If you realize the position isn’t right for you, the best approach is to be honest with the recruiter. After the interview, let them know your thoughts, and then you can explore other positions.
“How should I behave after the interview?”
At the end of the interview, the recruiter will usually provide a timeline for when you can expect to hear back. If they don’t mention a timeline, be sure to ask.
If you don’t hear back by the agreed-upon date, wait until the next day before reaching out. Contact them through the same communication channel you’ve been using. If there’s still no response, try following up via email or any other contact methods they’ve provided. If you still don’t get a reply, it’s best to move forward and focus on other opportunities.
“What advice could you give to people going through interviews today?”
Be prepared for a potentially lengthy job search; it might take a few months. The market has changed, and finding a great job in just a week is less common now.
According to former FlexJobs Career Expert Cidnye Work, “On average, it takes about 3-6 months from start to finish to secure a job, and you have an 8.3% chance of getting an interview from a single job application.”
Treat your job search as a project and don’t get discouraged if you don’t land a great position immediately. Use this time to practice your interview skills and enhance your qualifications through study.
With persistence, you will find a job that aligns with your desires and expectations.
Looking for Job Positions Now?
If you’re currently job hunting and going through interviews, Apliteni is actively seeking new team members. We’d be happy to see you on our team:
Use our guides to enhance your job search and stay tuned for more helpful articles about Keitaro Tracker and our Apliteni team.
