Effective Job Interview Techniques: Tips for Candidates and Strategies for the Interview Process

After applying for a job, your CV is evaluated by HR specialists or Applicant Tracking System (ATS), and you proceed to the interview stage with a positive result. At this point, the interview process begins. A good job interview assesses not only the candidate's job skills but also their personal qualities, communication abilities, and potential to adapt to the company. This process requires careful preparation and effective communication from both candidates and HR specialists. Here are some techniques and strategies to follow for a successful job interview.

1. Preparing for the Interview: Information and Communication

As a candidate, preparing for the interview involves more than just reviewing your technical knowledge. Researching the company’s culture, mission, and goals will help you start the interview with greater strength. HR specialists evaluate both the candidate's skills and their potential to align with the company during the interview.

Tip for Candidates:
Before going to the interview, review the company's website and social media accounts. Go over the requirements in the job description and think about how you can relate your past work experiences to these requirements. Being prepared helps you feel more confident during the interview.

2. Openness and Sincerity in Communication

For a job interview to be successful, communication must be open and sincere. HR specialists are interested not only in what candidates say but also in how they say it. While showcasing their competencies, candidates also demonstrate their communication skills.

Tip for Candidates:
Be honest when providing your responses, but be careful not to go into too much detail about your private life. It’s important to use a professional tone, especially when explaining your reasons for leaving a job. Providing professional justifications that will rationalize your departure, rather than personal reasons, will make you stand out as a more professional candidate. For example, a statement like "I was looking for more opportunities for development in my career" would be more acceptable.

Additionally, when evaluating candidates' responses, HR specialists consider the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. The suitability of the answers provided to the STAR format clearly demonstrates how the candidate handled a specific situation, what steps they took, and how they evaluated the results. This is a very effective technique for showcasing candidates' problem-solving and results-oriented skills.

Tip About the STAR Method:
When answering a question you encounter in the interview, you can structure your response using the STAR method:

• Situation: Explain the situation.

• Task: What was your responsibility?

• Action: What steps did you take?

• Result: What was the result, and what did you learn?

This method ensures that your responses are clearer, more effective, and easier to understand, making you stand out more during the interview.

Note: Be Prepared for Classic Questions

There are frequently encountered, but generally simple yet effective questions in job interviews. (Yes, there are still people who ask these questions :/) For example: "Where do you see yourself in five years?", "Why should we choose you?" or "What are your hobbies?" such classic questions are often asked by HR specialists to evaluate candidates' personal traits and perspectives on the future. Answering these questions unprepared can lead to panic for most candidates and result in poorly chosen phrases.

These are actually not difficult questions to answer, but being prepared for each one is important to leave a more professional impression. Crafting your own story will allow you to respond to these questions in a natural and confident manner. This preparation not only gives you confidence but also presents a strong candidate profile to the interviewer.

3. Questioning and Listening Skills

A good HR specialist pays attention not only to candidates’ answers but also to their questions. The interview should be a dialogue, not a monologue where one side continuously talks. By asking questions about the company, candidates not only learn about the job's content, but also provide the HR specialist with clues about their career goals and values.

4. Self-Presentation and Highlighting Strengths

A good candidate creates a stronger profile in the eyes of HR specialists by effectively presenting themselves and their strengths. In interviews, candidates are evaluated not only for their technical skills but also for their personal qualities, motivation, and work ethic.

Tip for Candidates:
When introducing yourself, do not only talk about your past accomplishments but also highlight factors that motivate you in the workplace, your approach to teamwork, and areas where you are open to improvement. In many job interviews, how candidates introduce themselves can provide important clues about their future performance.

5. Follow-up and Communication After the Interview

After the interview, the process is not finished for either candidates or HR specialists. For candidates, thanking post-interview and reminding of the process shows a professional approach. HR specialists re-evaluate each candidate after the interviews and make their decisions accordingly.

Ideal Candidate: What to Consider During the Interview Process?

Candidates are evaluated not just on technical skills but also on personal competencies. It would be beneficial to possess the following qualities to be successful in a job interview:

1. Communication Skills: The ability to speak effectively and convey your competencies accurately is appreciated by the HR specialist.

2. Cultural Fit: Aligning with the company's values and culture allows candidates to establish a long-term relationship with the company.

3. Motivation and Goals: Having a clear vision related to yourself and your career goals allows you to present yourself as a strong candidate during the interview.

4. Problem-Solving Ability: Your ability to cope with challenges and your solution-oriented approach in crises is one of the most valuable traits of a candidate.
   
   

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References

1. BetterUp. (n.d.). Preparing for Interview Questions with the STAR Method. Accessed at: https://www.betterup.com/blog/star-interview-method?utm_source=chatgpt.com

2. MindTools. (n.d.). STAR Technique. Accessed at: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/star-technique.htm

3. The Balance Careers. (October 21, 2020). Job Interview Questions and Answers: STAR Method. Accessed at: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/star-interview-method-2061247

4. Indeed. (August 5, 2021). How to Use the STAR Method to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions. Accessed at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/star-method

5. Keiken Human Resources Consulting Company