Better safe than sorry, do not hinder the job interview. Prepare answers to the questions most often asked by recruiters.
Success in the job interview does not depend on strenuous preparation. A good performance in your encounter with the interviewer lies in knowing your profile clearly, relying on the content of your curriculum, being sure of your qualities and strengths and, among other things, being prepared for possible questions that may be asked about the company, the position or your own candidacy.
While these questions are not a ‘straitjacket’ for every interview, they can give you a basis for the answers and information you should have; What’s more, you could be saved from looking insecure or confused.
Generally, job interviews are composed of two large parts, one of job recognition and another more personal. In the first, the interlocutor can ask you about your previous experience, if you have done any team project, what your achievements have been, your contribution to the company and your positions previously held. Recruiters seek to validate this data and confirm the times.
Why did you quit your previous job?
But are you clear about the transitions from one position to another and the reason behind these events? This question usually puts many applicants in doubt, because it is thought that their answer may affect the process in case there has been a dismissal or a negative adaptation in a position. “Here you must give concrete and accurate explanations of the reason that led the employee to move from one company to another, in addition, you must have clarity regarding the dates of income and departures,” says Alejandro Paz, executive director of Adecco Professional.
“Tell me, how was your performance and what did you bring to your previous company?”
It is not enough to put the name of the positions held in the curriculum. It is necessary that through results and functions, you can sustain and sustain your previous experiences, since there will always be a fixed question “related to the positions you have held, however, the trend in interviews and companies has changed and now interviewers ask about the result of these functions, where many times the candidates are ‘corchan’, because they do not know how to demonstrate these results and focus only on activities,” says Jairo Pinilla, director of Performia Colombia.
It is possible that for various reasons you have not been employed and although this aspect does not automatically rule you out, you must be prepared, because interviewers notice these terminations and “will always ask about the labor gaps that exist between dates of entry and exit. If you gave yourself a break, had some calamity or presented several interviews without any result, you must always respond with the truth, of course, while still showing interest in employing yourself again. If you have relevant positions for short periods, you must also know how to explain them sincerely, “says Pinilla.
How does your profile fit for the position? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
These are other questions that are more linked to the work skills and personality of the person. “Highlight your competencies that suit the role, whether it’s leadership, team management or achievement orientation. In terms of personality, it highlights strengths about how your management is as a leader and the opportunities for personal growth. You have to study yourself very well and understand what position you are applying to respond with the strengths you have, just as it is not bad to recognize weaknesses to improve as a person, “recommends Paz.
Get ahead of the interviewer and ‘respond’ with a question
Your questions can also be ‘advanced’ answers. The interview serves to raise your doubts about the job opportunity and it is reasonable that you pronounce yourself regarding salaries, the type of contract and schedules. Now, asking about the activities, trajectory and achievements of the company are keys that reflect your possible contribution and your desire to participate in the company. “Recruiters appreciate and notice the interest shown by the candidate about what he considers he can contribute to the company and this is analyzed through the questions asked by the applicant,” says Pinilla.
Finally, there are questions – which you are not obliged to answer and which you should not really ask – of a personal and family nature, such as your religion or sexual orientation. Even so, it is not enough to have an intelligent response ready that does not necessarily allude to your reality in the face of these issues. Some of these questions, “allow the interviewer to know if the applicant has the possibility to travel or move. A practical answer to these questions is precisely to question the interviewer about the relevance of these questions for the position or work process. You can also let him know your discomfort, “concludes Alejandro Paz, expert of Adecco Professional.