So that the interview goes well. How to behave during an interview

Getting a dream job sometimes turns out to be difficult, because on the way a person has to go through an interview. Sometimes employers ask too tricky questions, and sometimes the applicant himself behaves too nervously. When trying to find out how to pass an interview, the applicant must take into account the basic rules of behavior, not forgetting about undisguised friendliness.

How to successfully pass an interview: 5 main rules

Successful communication with the employer during the first meeting will almost certainly guarantee that you will receive the position. However, how to make the right impression? Psychologists emphasize that when selecting candidates, attention is paid not only to their professional qualities, but also to behavioral characteristics. The candidate must be a friendly, interesting person with whom it is easy to get along, but who at the same time knows how to perform the work assigned to him.

How to pass a job interview in this case? All you need to do is memorize the following 5 rules:

Most often, those candidates who are interviewed are those who behave calmly, can prove their skills, and at the same time radiate friendliness. Often employers pay attention to the manner of speech and the peculiarities of a person’s conversation. Thus, a candidate who speaks quietly and uncertainly will almost certainly remain without a job.

It is necessary to answer questions in detail, with the most confident intonation. In this case, the employer will have no doubt about the veracity of the candidate’s words.

You should also dress appropriately: a formal suit or dress is ideal. The person conducting the interview must see that he is facing a 100% professional who takes his responsibilities seriously.

How to answer interview questions

What questions are asked during an interview is perhaps the most important dilemma for job seekers. Now the interview is carried out in several forms. Which ones are especially popular?

Oral or written interview in the classic question-and-answer format.
Oral interview with a projection on specific situations (questions usually begin with the phrase “Imagine the situation...”).
An interview in the form of a game, with the help of which you can draw conclusions about a person’s activity and professional training.

The classic model is considered the simplest, because the applicant is required to do only one thing: answer all questions correctly. Interview questions and answers may vary, but usually the employer asks about the following:

On average, the interview lasts 30-40 minutes. During this time, the interviewer must make sure that the applicant is suitable for the position. The most important thing in this case is to find out the level of professional qualifications.

Psychologists advise talking in as much detail as possible about your previous place of work, your existing skills, and your previous responsibilities. A person’s task is to prove his professionalism, his superiority over other candidates.

However, you should not delve into the reasons for dismissal, noting that at your previous place of work you were not satisfied with the salary or lack of career growth.

Questions regarding a person’s motivation and ambitions are also considered important. When answering them, it is worth emphasizing your high expectations from this place of duty, your expectation of high wages and the fulfillment of all your plans. If an employer asks where the applicant sees himself in 5 or 10 years, he needs to talk about his prospects for this particular position. The thing is that interviewers are usually looking for candidates who want to get a job for several years, and not for a couple of weeks.

Another important question always concerns professional qualities. When listing his working qualities, a person can name the following:

responsibility;
initiative;
skill to work in team;
diligence;
positive attitude towards criticism;
ambition;
learning ability

Psychologists have long noticed that girls aged 20-35 find it more difficult to find work due to the employer’s fear of frequent maternity leave and sick leave. That is why, if the employer is interested in the marital status, the presence of a husband and children, it is worth emphasizing that the birth of a baby is not included in the girl’s immediate plans.

By adding a little humor and a constant smile to the correct answers, a person will be able to pass the interview without any problems.

What questions to ask during an interview or how to communicate with an employer

Who said that only the interviewer should ask questions? Usually, at the end of the conversation, the floor is always given to the person himself. What questions should you ask an employer during an interview to show your interest in the position?

Here you need to understand the main rule: questions should relate exclusively to work issues; it is better not to talk about personal topics during an interview. Typically, the employer expects the interlocutor to show initiative and interest in the position, so any questions are encouraged.

You can also demonstrate your qualifications using clarifying questions at the end of the conversation. For example, a person might ask whether the company's employees use a particular record-keeping program, emphasizing their proficiency in it.

It is also worth clarifying the need for business trips, the availability of bonuses, bonuses, and incentives for employees. You can also find out about the history of the company, because if a company has existed for several decades, then you can be sure of its reliability.

It is not at all necessary to know what questions are asked during an interview, because sometimes employers structure the conversation in unexpected ways. It is important here not to ask questions that have already been answered by the interviewer, since it may seem that the person was not listening attentively. It should not be repeated, otherwise it will only negatively affect career prospects.

5 main mistakes a potential employee makes during an interview

Sometimes a person wants to please his interlocutor so much that he becomes overly active, making annoying and stupid mistakes. What are the main mistakes that can put an end to the results of such communication?

Psychologists advise before the interview to study the history of the company and read articles about its activities on the Internet. Firstly, this will help ensure the reliability of the company, and secondly, it will contribute to a successful interview. A person must show with all his appearance that he is interested in this particular position, but has other options and offers.

Usually, the results of an interview are negatively affected by a person’s excitement, excessive activity, or, conversely, isolation. Sometimes insufficient experience makes itself felt, so it is important to prepare for an interview just like you would for an exam. Many psychologists advise you to just relax and believe in yourself, because a confident person will be able to get even the highest paid job without any problems.

By communicating correctly with the interviewer, without crossing the line of professional conversation, a person will be able to make the right impression on the interlocutor. The first interviews are the most difficult, and later, after going through several of them, a person will quickly and confidently answer all the tricky questions of a potential employer.

Irina, Novorossiysk

1. If you don't feel confident imagining an interview situation with a new employer, don't start with the most attractive job. Look for similar options in companies you are not particularly interested in. Gain tremendous experience, additional information about the requirements for the desired position, and get acquainted with various payment systems. Use this experience to correct your professional history.

2. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to go through more than one interview. Many companies consider multi-stage interviews necessary: first recruiters, then line managers, then senior managers, then special services. Don't be annoyed. First of all, you got them interested. Secondly, this is a good opportunity to gain a more complete understanding of the structure of the organization.

3. Provide only reliable information about yourself. There is no need to invent anything about yourself and your merits. You may find yourself in an awkward situation, create additional difficulties for yourself, and not be able to stay there. And you will get a negative experience. Of course, if you are one of those who consider negative experiences a faster way to gain sanity, then at least set yourself goals that you are going to achieve.

4. Know your worth. Do not be shy. To do this, evaluate in advance your existing experience and your wishes for your development and the development of your professional and career relationships in the organization. Formulate what you can definitely do right from the moment you start working and what will be possible with your further development.

5. Find the greatest strengths of your professional characteristics. Don’t take the position that you can do everything and agree to everything. This does not make a positive impression, and if you are hired, you will be treated accordingly.

6. Know your shortcomings (for this particular position) and how to compensate for them. You don’t need to talk about them yourself, but if the conversation comes up, you won’t be taken by surprise. You need to think carefully about your shortcomings. You don't need to be very frank. But sometimes it’s better to choose some subtleties at your own discretion and talk with dignity about how you can compensate for them.

7. At the very beginning of the interview, you have every right to request initial information about the company and position, if you have not been told about this earlier. It's better if you know about this before the meeting. And only after that start talking about yourself.

8. In good companies, it is believed that if a candidate does not ask anything, he is poorly motivated, not active, not confident, does not know why he came, etc.

9. Questions you should ask:

· Details about the specifics of the position for which you are applying (what resources you will have when performing your duties, what degree of independence you will be given: what are the standards of activity in the organization or is it possible to have a creative approach and use your best practices).

· What performance assessment system is adopted in the company, are indicators used when assessing work (for example, KPI).

· About the people you may have to work with.

· About direct management and senior management.

· About the rules and regulations adopted in this organization.

· About salary and opportunities for its growth.

· About social protection.

· About professional growth.

· About career advancement.

· About the organization of the workplace.

10. Be prepared for questions that you will need to answer specifically.

· What are your development plans for the next 5 years.

· What did you like/dislike about your previous job and management style?

· What duties do you like/dislike to perform?

· What were your mistakes/services at your previous place of work?

· How do you imagine your work ideally in a new place.

To paraphrase a well-known aphorism, we can say: whoever controls the information controls the interview situation.

Before you go to the office, find out:

with whom you will talk: with the boss, the head of the HR 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 (being late is unacceptable).

The company website or a call to the office will help you find out.

Map out answers to common questions

Interviews when applying for a job are of the same type and at the same time not similar to each other. Many people have heard about stressful interviews, where they can suddenly start shouting at the applicant in order 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 observed 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 prepared 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 advantages;
what are you good at;
strategic directions of self-development;
proposals for the company's work;
your life and work philosophy;
your short and long term goals;
unusual problems 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 and two don't always mean four. Recruiters sometimes ask insidious questions, where behind a simple wording lies a cunning plan - to force the applicant to say more than he 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, etc. If you are asked whether you have had conflicts with management and how you resolved them, then most likely the HR manager wants to know whether you are inclined to take responsibility or are accustomed to shifting it to others.

There are many tricky questions. You need to be able to see the “double bottom” (without fanaticism!).

Think about your nonverbal behavior

HR managers are people, not automatons. They, like everyone else, pay attention to non-verbal signs: appearance, facial expressions, gait, gestures, etc. An experienced professional may be rejected only because he behaved incorrectly.

Think about your body language in advance. If you habitually jerk your leg out of excitement, then sit cross-legged. If you tap your fingers on the table, try using something to occupy your hands, such as a ballpoint pen.

HR managers are people, not automatons. They understand that you are worried. But naturalness in non-verbal communication will increase your credibility.

Set taboos on certain topics

“Tell me about yourself,” asks the interviewer. “I was born on April 2, 1980 (according to the horoscope Taurus). In his youth he played football and was captain of the city team. Then he graduated from the institute…” - if the applicant’s story is something like this, he won’t see the position like his ears.

There are things that are absolutely uninteresting to an employer and that in no way characterize you as a professional. In the example given, this is the year of birth (this can be read in the resume), zodiac sign and sporting achievements.

There are topics that you need to taboo for yourself:

summary summary;
personal life goals (buy a house, have children, etc.);
reputation of the company and its employees;
skills and experience that are not related to future work (I cook well, understand plumbing, etc.);
failures that demonstrate incompetence.

Just as you made a plan of what you will talk about, write down and remember the topics to ignore. Also think about how to answer correctly if you are asked about it.

Contemplate to calm down

An interview is a nerve-wracking affair. You can forget your name, not to mention demonstrating your business skills.

To calm down, look around. Inspect the office, equipment, employees. The details will tell you a lot about the company where you are going to work, and their analysis will help normalize your nervous system.

Looking critically at the firm and future colleagues can increase your sense of self-importance. Remember: the 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 interviewee change places and the applicant has the opportunity to ask questions that interest him.

Don’t waste time on useless “Will you call me 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 a pressing problem? How do you think I can help you?
Could you describe what you envision as an ideal candidate for this position?
What advice would you give to someone starting to work at your company?

There are also a number of questions that are not recommended to be asked. You can tell which ones by clicking on the button below.

Following these tips will prepare you for your interview and increase your chances of getting hired.

Any extras? Write them in the comments.

Even if you already have extensive job search experience, remember that you need to prepare in advance for each new interview. As a rule, the most qualified specialists, who quite reasonably claim to have the best job, take a more responsible approach to interviews. Often, on the other hand, the lower the specialist’s bar, the less prepared he is for the interview. Therefore, whenever you receive an invitation for an interview, use the tips below.

Preparing for an interview

Try to provide yourself with information about the organization you want to work for.
Carry with you copies of all necessary documents, a professional resume, copies of educational certificates.
Get ready to give the names and phone numbers of people recommending you, having previously agreed with them.
Find out exactly the location of the organization and the route so as not to be late.
Make sure you have enough time and don't get stressed if the interview goes on for a long time.
Stick to business casual attire.
Make a list of expected questions and prepare possible answers.
Prepare specifically to discuss the issue of wages.
Practice your answers to the most likely questions well, doing this in the form of a game interview rehearsal.
Be sure to prepare the questions you will ask if you are offered this opportunity.

Behavior at an interview

When you come to the office, try to be polite and patient with everyone.
Conscientiously fill out all questionnaires and forms that are offered to you.
Introduce yourself at the beginning of the interview. Ask what the name of the interlocutor is.
Keep eye contact.
Listen carefully to questions without interrupting the other person.
If you are not sure that you understood the question well, do not hesitate to clarify (“Did I understand correctly that...”).
Avoid verbosity, answer to the point.
Be objective and truthful, but don't be too revealing.
When faced with the need to give negative information about yourself, do not deny facts that are true, but be sure to try to balance them with positive information about yourself.
Behave with dignity, try not to give the impression of a loser or a distressed person; however, refrain from being provocative.
If you are offered the opportunity to ask questions, be sure to ask, but don’t get carried away (2-3 questions).
When asking questions, first of all be interested in the content of the work and the conditions for its successful completion.
Avoid asking questions about pay at the first stage of the interview.
Be sure to clarify how you will find out about the result of the interview, try to negotiate the right to call yourself.
When concluding your interview, remember the usual rules of politeness.
For many questions, you won’t have to prepare for an interview all over again each time. But on some points, each new employer needs to be approached taking into account its specifics; in order not to miss these features, time and effort are needed to prepare for the interview. However, remember that, first of all, the employer is interested in qualified specialists and professionals. Try to demonstrate your relevant qualities during the conversation.

Interview with the employer

The most common questions that you should prepare to answer. Obviously, no one can predict in advance all the questions that might be asked in an interview. The theoretical exception is structured interviews, where all candidates are asked the same pre-prepared list of questions. But this type of interview is rarely used. However, in practice, you can make a list of 15-20 questions, many of which, in one form or another, are asked at almost every interview. Let's consider a number of such questions.

Tell us a little about yourself. This is a great chance to present yourself in the best light, especially if you have prepared in advance. Knowingly or unknowingly, the employer is looking for a worker who can do the job, i.e. has the appropriate qualifications, experience, etc., and wants to do it. The employer must see an interested employee and understand what explains this interest. In addition, the employer is looking for someone who is manageable, i.e. feels his responsibility, demonstrates submission to discipline, receptivity to criticism, knows how to listen and understand what he is told. You should prepare and practice a story about yourself that will show that you have the listed required qualities, which are especially important from the point of view of employers. If you are applying for a specific position or job that you know, your story should be structured with this in mind. When talking about yourself, reduce formal biographical information and do not get carried away with details. The most important thing is to mention your practical experience, your knowledge and skills that can be useful to the employer, as well as your attitude and interest in work.

What questions do you have? This question can be asked right at the beginning of the conversation, and only preliminary preparation will help you navigate correctly. It is advisable to prepare a list of questions in advance so that during the interview, taking into account the context of the conversation, you can offer them to the employer. You should not ask more than three differently directed questions, unless the current situation forces you to do so.

Why did you choose this job (organization)? Give serious reasons: the desire to apply your qualifications and work experience where they can give the greatest return, opportunities for growth, the attractiveness of working in a strong team, etc.

Have you received other job offers? If you have received it, then say so directly. Knowing that someone else is willing to hire you will only improve your chances. Of course, it should be added that this work interests you more.

Have you been interviewed in other places? As a rule, you can honestly say yes, but take your time to say where exactly.

Will your personal life interfere with this job, which involves traveling and long working hours? This question is asked more often to women. To such an attempt to circumvent the law, answer firmly: “No, it won’t hurt.”

What are your strengths? Emphasize first of all those qualities that are useful for this job.

What are your weaknesses? Under no circumstances should you answer this question directly and honestly. It should be turned so as to shift the emphasis, mentioning the shortcomings, talk about the advantages that overcompensate for them.

Why do you want this job? Why should we hire you? This is the best question to "sell" yourself. But you should carefully prepare for it in advance.

Why did you leave your previous job? You shouldn't talk about conflicts, even if they existed. Never criticize your former boss or employer. If the interviewer knows that you had a conflict, do not go into detail, explain that it was a unique case associated with special circumstances and highlight the positive things that were in your previous job: experience, skills, professional connections, etc. .

Why did you decide to change jobs? This question is often asked to those who are working at the time of the interview. It is difficult to answer this question well. We can say that the organization has exhausted real opportunities for your professional and job growth, and you would not want to stop there

How do you imagine your position in three (five) years? It’s better to answer in a more streamlined way: I would like to work in the same organization, but in a more responsible job.

What salary are you expecting? At the beginning of the conversation, it is better to try to evade the answer by saying that you do not consider it necessary to discuss salary in the first place. If the interviewer insists, then name an amount that is attractive to you and meets the expectations, capabilities and standards of the organization. If you do not have such information, then do not underestimate the amount you quote, but indicate your readiness to discuss this issue separately after familiarizing yourself in detail with the content and conditions of the work.

What else would you like to know? Never say you don't have questions. Try to ask a question that would speak in favor of your hiring. For example, ask to clarify something important for work that was not sufficiently covered in the previous conversation. Think about such questions in advance. But don’t try to ask all these questions during an interview if you are not asked to do so. Don't forget to thank the employer for the information provided.

What changes would you make if you took this job? The question is often asked to applicants for managerial and administrative positions. You should show your familiarity with similar situations and the ability to take initiative, but do not overdo it, showing a willingness to leave no stone unturned. Also beware of suggesting changes if you have not had the opportunity to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the state of affairs.

These are the most typical interview questions asked of candidates.

Sometimes, you may encounter unexpected and seemingly harmless questions. For example: “What did you do today?” Think about how you can benefit from answering this question. However, the problem is also how you actually spend your time and what lifestyle will increase your chances of getting a job.

Before you go to meet your future manager, you should find out how to successfully pass a job interview: what questions can be asked, what position to sit in, where to look and what to keep silent about.

What should you do before the interview?

Before a meeting due to the proposed work, you need to carefully find out about the employer company, and preferably about the reason for the departure of your predecessor, especially if you are going to apply for a leadership position. We must not forget that finding a job is the most difficult, responsible and hard work. Moreover, it’s free... But it must be done better than any other paid one.
A correctly and competently compiled resume, documents (passport, diploma, certificate of completion of any courses and other documentary evidence of qualifications and professionalism, rights) and their copies are the main weapon at the interview. Find out the work here!
Under no circumstances should you be late for the appointed time. It is advisable to arrive 15 minutes earlier, which will undoubtedly be reflected as a positive moment in favor of the future employee.
It is better to allocate enough time for the interview. You shouldn’t expect that the dialogue will last 20 minutes and you can go to the next meeting. If the conversation drags on and the person realizes that he is late, there will be nervousness in his voice and the employer will assume that this is caused by his questions.
You need to dress in a business style, the colors should be calm, no minis, necklines or shorts or T-shirts.
Most of the initial questions are typical. It is advisable to prepare clear answers to questions regarding the individual and her professional qualities before the interview.
You need to think in advance about what position in this organization a person is applying for, and what salary he would like to receive.

How is the interview going?

Usually, interviews take place in a standard manner and consist of several familiar points. The future employee is offered a questionnaire to fill out, asked to tell about himself according to his work record book, name his previously held position, confirm his education with diplomas, and may be asked questions regarding his place of residence, family and the presence of children. If all the answers are suitable for obtaining a future position and suit the management side of the enterprise, then the time comes for the next point.
This is an interview that is conducted directly at the workplace in order to test the professional qualities of a future employee for the position. If the qualifications are successfully confirmed, the future employee will be introduced to the immediate superior or director of the enterprise, who will make the final decision on hiring the person and completing the search for other candidates for this position.

You need to sit correctly, with a straight back, opposite the person asking questions, and not lower your eyes. If the chair you were asked to sit on is not comfortable enough, you should rearrange it to create a comfortable space for dialogue. The interviewer will definitely pay attention to the confidence in your movements.
You should not cross your arms on your chest or on your knees, or hide them under the table or keep them “locked” throughout the interview. This indicates nervous tension and excitement. It is etiquette to cross your legs only if the interviewer sits that way.
You should not hide your eyes during an interview; a person with his eyes lowered to the floor looks pitiful from the outside. When applying for any position, an employee must be confident in himself, and the manager must feel this. There should be no long pauses or confusion in the conversation. You should try to observe the person asking questions so that you can understand the reaction to the answers by their facial expressions.
Gesticulation that takes place also speaks of self-confidence and further convinces what the future prospective employee is saying.
Pauses should be used correctly. Intonation and pause are the best decorations of eloquence, but one should not delay in silence, so as not to give the impression of ignorance of the answer to the question posed during the interview. Also, do not interrupt the interviewer's pause. If he falls silent, you should wait for that moment until he continues speaking, so as not to create the impression of nervousness and fear of not pleasing your future superiors.
A slight smile will again emphasize a person’s self-confidence, however, as in the case of pauses, the main thing here is not to overdo it. Everything should be in place. A constant smile on the face of a prospective employee will create the impression that the person is not serious about the conversation.
When listening to your interlocutor, under no circumstances should you interrupt him, even if the answer is clear in advance. At the same time, it is advisable to show curiosity about the questions asked and the enterprise itself. Questions should be answered clearly, to the point and confidently.
You should not drag out time and talk about yourself a lot and for a long time. There is no need to “pour water”; the answers should be clear and understandable;
You should not be embarrassed that the answers may be too short. If the employer needs more extensive information, he himself will ask clarifying questions;
You should not speak in a low voice. Such behavior again indicates uncertainty and anxiety.

And it’s easy to be an interesting conversationalist with the help of our tips!

What might they ask?

As a rule, the first thing on the list of questions will be information about yourself. Nobody needs a biography from early childhood. You need to start with education (diplomas, additional courses, licenses and what specialties you have), then you need to describe who, where and when you worked. Describe your advantages as a professional, thus summing up your speech to the fact that this enterprise needs you.
When asked why this particular place of work was chosen, you should not report your financial problems and say that there are no other options yet, even if this is true. You should talk about experience in this particular area or about interest in the production of exactly the product that is produced at this enterprise. If a job seeker still continues to work for another company, under no circumstances should you speak negatively about it, and especially about its managers. It is necessary to describe the information in such a way that the interviewer understands that the person has more career prospects in the new enterprise, and that is why he came.
Questions about previous work should be answered in a positive manner. The employer must understand how the future employee will become part of the team, that he is sociable and not scandalous, and is also able to find a common language with other colleagues of the enterprise. It is advisable to have a letter of recommendation with you with the phone number of the previous manager; this has a positive effect on the interviewer’s opinion, confirming the facts of the advantages of the supposed future employee.
The question about mistakes or negative aspects is also usually asked. Under no circumstances should you idealize yourself and deny that everything was exclusively at the highest level. You need to talk about any of your mistakes, and add how you managed to successfully get out of the situation on your own, without causing damage to the enterprise.
When asked about your past salary, you should give the average figure. You shouldn’t hush up information about your salary - this is a demonstration of secrecy and mistrust.
If you are asked what career prospects you dream about, you should talk about your real desires and opportunities, as well as your desire for self-realization.

There are several topics that should not be raised by a person who wants to get a job:

emigration in the near future;
religion;
Political Views;
family problems;
planning for children;
unsettled personal life;
money problems;
negative aspects of former leaders;
illnesses, etc. (unless the person is disabled).

The main thing at an interview is to convincingly demonstrate your enthusiasm.

You should remember about self-confidence.