You receive a call and someone says: ”Good morning, I'm from HR department from the “as is” company, the reason for my call is because we found your resume very interesting and we would like to get to know you a little more.
Could we have an interview next Tuesday? “. When you hang up, you think of the magnificent chance that is presented to get that position that you want so much.
Points you should take into account
Now comes the time to prepare and not leave such an important occasion in the hands of luck or nerves.
Currently, the models most used by companies when conducting an interview are in person or video call. For both there are some points that you should not neglect:
- Puntuality: Don't make you wait, arrive at least 10 minutes before the appointed time, if online, connect with that margin.
- Image: Take care of it, think that it is the first thing they will see of you either in person or through the monitor. Do not use accessories or distracting colors, use a simple style.
- Customize: Greet the interviewer by name, take care of that detail.
- The mobile: Off or silent.
- Your hands: Don't make sudden movements, don't play with the pen or your hair. Try to keep them in sight, on your legs
- Review your CV: If they have called you, it is because they found it interesting, but nevertheless tweak it a little, highlight those skills and functions that best fit the offer for which you are applying. Don't forget to take it printed or on a pendrive.
- Prepare the interview: Nerves can play tricks on you and make your answers convey insecurity or lack of credibility.
Most common questions
Make a list of possible questions and train at home. Some of the most common:
Tell me about you
Don't make the mistake of retelling your CV, they have already read that. Prepare a short speech, but one that says a lot about you. You can base it on a time scale:
- Present: tell where you are currently.
- Past: Highlight something from your professional or academic life that you are proud of.
- Future: Take advantage and talk about where you want to go, what your professional objectives are and how it fits what the company needs.
Remember not to go off topic, you should always speak thinking about the position to which you present yourself.
Example: I am currently working in selection, I have been working for 5 years, my role is to evaluate the profiles and conduct the first interview. I recently participated in a very complicated process, it was an IT profile that we had been trying to fill for 3 months, in the end I managed to find the right candidate, it was quite a challenge!
In my training I focused a lot on the work part, I was passionate about it, in fact, I got recognition for the best academic record. I am clear that my future is to work in an HR department like your company's, which allows me to develop all my skills both in the field of selection and in the management of documentation, registrations and cancellations.
Tell me some of your qualities and defects
Be careful with this question, one of the most repeated and almost one of the most difficult to answer if you have not prepared them beforehand.
- Qualities: search among your virtues a couple of them that suit the position to be filled. Don't just stop at “I am a very creative person,” have an example prepared to accompany that statement.
- Defects: we all have something to improve, and giving a firm answer to this question on the one hand shows that we know our “weak” points and on the other hand, here is what we should prepare, how we are working to improve it.
Example: I am a very detail-oriented person, which means that sometimes it takes me a little longer to finish a task. I am continually working on finding the balance between that perfection that I like and guaranteeing the times.
- Take care of your online presence: I encourage you to take care of what Google says about you, recruiters are increasingly consulting more about the footprint we leave online. Additionally, the internet is an excellent platform to find job opportunities, so take advantage of them.
- Give simple answers: Don't think that by complicating your speech you will be more attractive.
- Be honest: Think that in the end everything can be known, lying about your CV can make you lose an excellent opportunity.
And of course show interest and say goodbye thanking that they have called you for the interview. If it is in person, respect your interviewer's space, let him decide how you greet each other, shaking hands, bumping elbows or a simple greeting. You will have already seen this in the welcome, so you just have to repeat it.
As you see, preparation and attention to detail can make all the difference.
One of the tasks that the HR department It is about conducting interviews with the purpose of attracting and retaining talent. Are you interested in training in this field? do it with him Master in Human Resources: People Management, Talent Development and Labor Management in EIP.
