Being contacted for a job interview is an important opportunity because it means that, with regards to that specific application, your CV has been deemed to comply with that specific vacancy and that the company wants to have the opportunity to meet you.

The interview is a tool for gathering information that cannot be obtained via a CV or that needs to be explored in-depth with a direct comparison. That is why it is very important to prepare for the interview knowing that it will be one of the most important moments when your interest in the job encounters the actual offer. It means that you must have a double awareness: knowing what profile the company is looking for, and being sure that your profile is exactly the right one to meet the company's needs.

What will allow you to tackle the meeting in the most positive way possible?

How can you highlight your strengths?

First of all, it is good to keep in mind that preparing for the interview begins as soon as you send your CV: when responding to lots of ads and offers, it is good practice to take note of the specific offer you are applying to from time to time, so that when the company contacts you, you will be well aware of the profile they are looking for and you will already have assessed whether it corresponds to yours.

An excellent habit to get into when preparing for an interview is to search for information on the company website to learn more about what it does, what its values ​​are, its mission and any other relevant information. That way, you will obtain input that will be useful for greater awareness of the company's characteristics, and will help you to present yourself in the best possible way during the interview. When the interviewer asks: "Do you know who we are and what we do?" or "Why would you like to work with us?", you will not respond with uncertainty but will be able to give pertinent answers, showing interest and taking advantage of an additional opportunity to highlight your strengths.

During the interview, the recruiter will want to delve into certain aspects, in particular your studies and training, your main professional experiences and especially those in line with the vacancy, your goals and other aspects of your personality. It is good to dwell on this last point because you may be asked questions relating to your strengths and weaknesses, so you will have to evaluate which ones are appropriate to highlight, ensuring that all the information you provide is related to the professional opportunity that is the subject of the interview.

It is preferable to avoid asking questions about shifts or remuneration: these are elements that will be explored in-depth in a later interview. In the first interview try to show your interest in the opportunity, keeping in mind that the goal is to move forward in the selection process.

Remember that there are aspects of personality that are visible through non-verbal communication: it is not a good idea to be distracted or look around while the interviewer asks questions or talks about company activities; to be too insecure or distracted in your presentation does not highlight your communication skills and does not show your will to meet the goal; to demonstrate unsuitable behaviour (it is best to avoid keeping your arms crossed or showing nervousness, for example, by moving your legs or frequently touching your hair).

Other tips include remembering the importance of punctuality: it is absolutely not advisable to show up late, on the contrary, it is always preferable to arrive a few minutes early. Problem solving can be demonstrated by your ability to brilliantly answer a particular question. Bringing a printed copy of your CV can be useful, and is also another sign of your organisational skills and your preparation for the meeting.

“Clothes don’t make the man”, but it is good to have a professional appearance and, as much as possible, one in keeping with your personality. It is sufficient to choose sober clothing, not necessarily elegant, but that allows you to be at ease, offering a well-groomed and careful presentation of yourself.

The attitude with which you present yourself is fundamental: being prepared and positive helps to convey to the interviewer your will to succeed, your enthusiasm regarding the possibility of working at that company and helps you to show off your professional and personal skills and qualities to best advantage.

A final note on the type of interview that you could face.

If a company is highly structured, you will probably do more than one interview; you could be called first to a group interview, a tool assessors will use to evaluate your characteristics within a group, your ability to relate, communication skills, your personal characteristics within the group (if you are a leader, if you are a mediator, if you are an observer...) and make an initial selection from among the participants.

If the company is highly structured or if the search was initiated through a job agency, you will first have an individual interview with a human resources officer (internal to the company or at the agency) and then a technical interview. If the interview takes place in a small company, you might speak directly with the owner of the company. In any case, what we said from the beginning is central: keep in mind the professional role sought and your objective.

Once the selection process is concluded, the company will communicate the results to you. If you do not obtain the desired result, do not be discouraged: remember that not being selected is not a definitive failure, rather it means that, at that moment, your professional profile is not totally in line with the specific objectives of that company. Continue with your active job search, keeping in mind that every no you receive brings you closer to the final yes.

We would like to remind you that PFL periodically offers free courses and seminars at all our locations, and currently online, about how to prepare for a job interview. Simply consult the calendar on our website and book the free seminar you are interested in.