We are afraid of interviews, because this is a situation where we will be assessed and, possibly, assessed negatively. The results of the interview largely depend on your own actions, and understanding this responsibility can create additional discomfort. When entering the office or connecting online , it is important to remember that the HR is your ally and he is also interested in hiring you. We asked a psychologist how to prepare for an interview and be on the same wavelength with the recruiter.
What to do before the interview
Define your goals
To prepare for the interview, try to learn more not only about the company, but also about your personal goals. Think about what you want to get from this job, what conditions need to be discussed.
If you have received an invitation to an interview, but you are not sure whether to go or not, you can make a decision by asking yourself three questions: “Am I interested?”, “Is it safe for me?” and “Is it beneficial for me?” If the answer to two of the three questions is “yes”, then you can go to the interview.
For each person, these concepts mean different things. For example, safety can be expressed in communication with colleagues or in a salary that will cover your desires. Benefit can be found in a convenient schedule or in rapid career growth within the company.
Read employer reviews
You can find them on HH.ru , Dream Job and Antijob . This way you can see a realistic assessment from former employees and, perhaps, come to terms with some of the company’s downsides in advance, and find points that you’ll want to clarify with the HR manager. It’s great if you’re applying for a job at a company where friends or acquaintances work. Then you can ask them in detail about the interview stages and prepare more thoroughly.
Analyze the company deeper
Pay attention to the latest cases, news and partners of the company. Check the activity on social networks: how the company presents achievements, covers extracurricular activities and talks about employees. Does it conduct webinars and podcasts to share experience, does it mention participation in hackathons or their organization, conferences, volunteer projects.
Take another look at the job posting
The job description is your main responsibilities, what the employer expects first. Before the interview, look at it carefully and look for questions that might be asked for a similar position in other companies. You can find them from YouTube reviews and on thematic sites. If you think it’s appropriate, you can even write to the recruiter a few days before the interview and ask what pool of questions to expect and how long the interview will last.
Use psychological techniques
It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before an important event. However, excessive anxiety can interfere with your thinking and acting. To prepare for an interview, learn a few techniques that will help you calm down and focus.
Writing practices help you look at the situation from the outside. Try dividing the sheet into two parts: in the first part, write down all the points that cause anxiety. For example, “I’m worried that I won’t be able to answer the recruiter’s questions.” In the second column, opposite each point, write what you can do to be less afraid. All the answers to the questions are inside you, so the actions you write will be relevant in the current situation.
Breathing exercises help reduce stress. But in real life, there is not always the opportunity and desire to practice “square breathing” and more complex exercises. One of the effective and simple ways is deep breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold your breath for a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times. Deep breathing helps reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, and improves your overall condition. Try doing breathing exercises every day before an interview so that they become your habit.
How to behave at an interview
Be sincere
An interview often seems like a strict formality, where you only need to say the “right” phrases. There is a feeling that going beyond the template answers is a risk of scaring off the employer. It is important to remember that an interview is primarily about finding common values between the company and the applicant, as well as an opportunity to talk about your unique traits that are reflected in your work. The ability to balance professionalism and live communication is a skill that only comes with experience.
It can be difficult to initiate a dialogue, especially if it seems that the HR specialist is waiting for you to initiate. In this case, you can honestly say that you are nervous and invite the other person to ask the first question. For example: “I’m a little confused right now. Maybe we can start with what you’d like to discuss?”
Don’t be afraid to admit your weaknesses
Allow yourself to say what you want, given the situation, and take risks in moderation. Watch the HR manager’s reaction. When talking about your weaknesses, avoid excessive self-criticism. It is enough to simply admit that you have them and tell how you plan to cope. For example, if you do not have a higher education, and for the vacancy it is not necessary, but desirable, then say what courses you have completed to compensate for it, and what skills you have learned.
Use body language
Nonverbal communication is as important as work experience, case studies, and professional skills. Employers and HR specialists are real people, and they subconsciously evaluate you through your posture, voice, and facial expression. It is important to maintain eye contact at a comfortable frequency so that the other person feels your involvement. If you rarely communicate with strangers or you are uncomfortable being alone in an office, you can practice in a more familiar environment. For example, on public transport: try briefly meeting someone’s gaze and holding it for at least five seconds before looking away.
