The final moment has arrived; after applying to so many jobs, you finally get the call, and it´s time to prepare for the interview. This is the first contact with your potential employer, and thus, it is of utmost importance that you make a good impression. The first interview will give much information about you. Aside from your academic and professional experiences, the interviewer will be looking for any additional subtle information, your soft skills, attitude, presence on camera, body language, and equally important your communication skills, and how can you relate and empathize with the person in the other side of the screen. If you find yourself in this position, we bring you a few tips that will help you prepare for this important day that will bring you closer to your dreams.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Research the company ahead of time.
You have plenty of time to learn about the company ahead of time. From the time you get the call until the day of the interview, you should be preparing in-depth; learn about the company, identify the strong points, learn about the person who will interview you, his/ her position, what do they do. This will make you more not only feel more prepared and acquainted with the firm but also it will give a good impression on the recruiters. It will show your motivation and engagement, and you will stand out in the crowd. Get information from different sites, including:
The company's website.
Social Networks.
History of the Brand.
Mission, vision, and values.
Product/service line.
Recent Projects.
Job requirements.
Update your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn is today´s professional network par excellence and our professional cover letter. The recruiter will most likely go to your LinkedIn profile to get more information about your experiences and skills. Remember to have an active and updated profile, get recommendations, and highlight the positive information and experience that may be relevant for your interview. If you need help, here are some tips to improve your CV and increase your employability.
Prepare yourself for tricky difficult questions.
Oftentimes, interviewers will want to explore your personality and experience by putting you in a tight position. They may ask you about challenging situations or throw personal questions, leaving you uncomfortable or confused, and making you visibly nervous and upset. This can be hell on the hearth. To avoid this, it is best to prepare for these questions ahead of time; prepping for this can make the difference between a good and a poor interview. Here are some of the questions that you can work on:
Identify three strengths and three weaknesses (in your character).
What do you think you can contribute to the company?
Why did you leave your previous job?
What was your biggest academic/professional challenge?
Tell us about a problem you had in your previous position? How did you find a solution?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (or any number of years)
Prepare a nice introduction about yourself.
It will be a good idea to prepare a brief introduction about yourself, sort of a spoken cover letter. It is nice to introduce yourself, highlight your experience, your strengths, stay focused on that company and your capacity to offer solutions to their problems. Practice your speech ahead of time, do it with a friend, in front of the camera, or looking at the mirror, if necessary. Rehearsing your speech is important since it will help you to verbalize your thoughts and to be more fluent and articulate in a stressful situation.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
The moment has come, and you are sitting in front of your camera. Take a deep breath and get ready to begin. Good luck!
Here are some practical tips for preparing for the big day.
Make sure that of have the correct name and the profile photo of the virtual platform.
Make sure you have a good internet connection.
Watch the surrounding sound and the lighting. Turn off your cell phone or any other device.
Make sure you have a nice background. Show a clean, clear, and organized environment.
Take care of your personal look. Dress as if you were going to an in-person interview.
Be on time. Connect a few minutes before and wait for the arrival of the interviewer.
Watch your body language. Keep an upright position and use a good tone of voice.
Look straight at the camera, as if you were truly looking at the interviewer in the eyes.
Try to be concise. Try to answer the questions briefly and effectively, without too many words.
Keep calm and show yourself as you are. Your attitude and personality will show through the camera, and the interview will be paying attention to that too.