What is the best way to represent oneself during a qualifying interview?
A qualifying interview is about the most important element of recruiting. This is the best time to represent one’s potential attributes to an employer. It is well known that the first impression is the most important and though the interview may take a few stages, it would be ideal, right at the start, to represent yourself from the most advantageous side.
So it is well worth right from the first encounter to smile nicely and while introducing yourself, to shake hands in a decisive and confident manner.
The qualifying interview is most often preceded by supplying Curriculum Vitae (CV), a motivating letter and sometimes references from previous/last employers. The most important thing while preparing a CV and motivating letter is being honest and not brag about competences one doesn’t posses. Our knowledge of the language and rate of ability of conducting the office equipment would be verified in no time. If during the qualifying interview it would come out that we exaggerated rating of our abilities, we can be considered as dishonest persons, which will mean that we cannot be trusted. In this situation the atmosphere of the interview could be spoiled and the interview itself – could simply quickly end.
It is advisable to bring to the interview for a job, copies of all the documents which were previously sent to the potential employer. If by any chance the document were lost due to some circumstances – we will show, right at the beginning, that we are well organized. Having a folder (nice and clean looking, although not necessarily expensive) with a set of applications would present one more, additional quality – it allows to control possible nervous movements of hands and creates picture of a competent person.
An important aspect of presenting oneself at the qualifying interview is careful attire, hairdo and makeup. Clothing should be appropriate to the type of a job we are trying to obtain – always however, it should be clean, ironed and toned down. The hair arrangement also should underline our orderly impression. A set of simple jewelry, nails polished in a neutral color, or with a delicate color, will complete the overall picture.
If we are not trying for a position demanding on a large part, creativeness (hairdresser, fashion designer or a graphic artist), unfortunately we have to resign from using vividly colored clothing, extravagant jewelry or hats. Also strong perfume should be put away for a different occasion, using in its place delicate “eau do cologne” in minimal quantities.
If it is possible one should try and speak loudly and distinctively, in a calm and confident voice, but avoid rudeness. It is advisable to think for a moment before answering. Avoid talkativeness, if we are have a tendency for it, and give laconic answers. Also nervous laugh can create a wrong picture of our personality. Wording should be carefully chosen, avoid colloquial expression, you may allow for a light joke, which would relax the stress, maybe a comment about the weather or some other neutral topic. During the interview one should give an impression of being concentrated, listening carefully to the recruiting person and one should not interrupt the interviewer.
The body language during the interview may influence the decision of weather we will become an employee of this company. It is hard to control movements which show our nervousness in such a stressful situation. It is good therefore, to remember a few helping instructions in order to avoid making a bad impression. In the first place one should behave fairly relaxed, create a picture of a relaxed person, sure of his competence and cheerful. Therefore one has to avoid nervous movement of hands (i.e. tapping your fingers, “cracking” fingers), swinging your legs, wriggling in your seat, but just keep a straight figure. It is important to keep an eye contact with the interviewer, but if there is more than one person conducting the interview, try to keep an eye contact with the person who is asking questions, but also from time to time keep an eye contact with the other people who are rating us.
During the time of the interview, we have a chance to get the job we dreamed of. Because the employer invited us to this stage of hiring, it means that probably information contained in our application and CV satisfied him, and therefore we can look optimistically toward the interview and we can treat it as a chance to convince him that we are the person he needs.
PolishWomen.com