If you’re looking for a job and are curious about how best to prepare for an interview, have no fear. The best way to ensure you get your dream job is by learning about the recruitment process. How better to learn about the process and what to expect than from the perspective of job recruiters themselves. While your credentials, accolades, and experience will give you a head start in your search for the perfect job, your selection for a job is determined by how well you do during the job interview. 

When searching for a job, one must prepare for three stages of the interview process. The first stage is before the interview, when applicants should focus on preparing for their job interviews. The second stage is the portrayal of your personality and attitude during the interview itself. The third and final stage is the etiquettes one must follow after the interview has concluded. 

Getting ready for the job pre-interview 

Preparing for your interview is not time-consuming, but preparing for pre-interview could give you the edge needed to ace your interview and ensure that you are the candidate hired. When getting ready for your interview, the first step is gaining some background knowledge about the company and its goals. Softwares like the Greenhouse ATS software can help you with it. 

By doing this, you are prepared to answer some of the most common questions that recruiters ask at the beginning of the interview -namely, ‘Why do you want to work for this company?’ ‘How do you think you can contribute to the success of the company?’, ‘What do you know about the company?’ etc. By researching about the company, you will be able to tackle these questions with ease. It also shows the recruiters that your interest in the company and therefore the job role is genuine. 

While you need not learn everything about the company, a basic understanding of its goals, clientele, and field of interest will definitely set you apart. The easiest way to research the company is by checking out its website and social media profiles. It is also helpful to check the latest news articles about the company. 

The next step is formulating an answer for why you are interested in working with the company. Your previous research into the company’s clientele and past achievements will give you a foundation. You could prepare two reasons for wanting to work with the company. The first reason could be business-related, such as a new business endeavor, the clientele of the company, etc. The second reason could be more personal, such as the kind of work environment you’re interested in, the community ties that a company is known for, etc. 

During the Interview 

One of the first questions tackled by a recruiter during an interview is a brief description of yourself and your work history. The most important thing one must do is prepare a clear and concise description. Most recruiters do not appreciate long rambling answers, so it is best to think over your answer in advance. 

When recruiters get to the technical questions, stay calm and answer to the best of your knowledge. Be honest and clear in your answers. Do not makeup answers. Recruiters know when you are winging an answer. It is important to remember that recruiters gauge your thought process more than testing to answer correctly. This advice applies to almost all companies. The Greenhouse ATS software, for instance, is centered around how well you portray your opinions rather than getting all the answers correct. 

Ask the recruiter questions; this is a commonly overlooked strategy that shows recruiters you are interested in their company and its goals rather than picking the first company that hires you. Your goal is to show recruiters that you are genuinely interested in the job role and would be the perfect candidate for the position. 

What to do after the interview has concluded?

Once the interview is completed, don’t simply rush out. The recruiter is still assessing you. Manners are an essential part of ending an interview. Always thank the recruiter for meeting with you and giving you their time. It is also helpful to prepare and send an email thanking the interviewer for the opportunity.

Another tip is to wait a few days to hear back from the interviewer. You can always ask when to expect an update from the recruiter to rid yourself of the anxiety of waiting. It is also in your best interests not to wait around for one particular company’s answer. Keep applying for jobs and meeting with interviewers as no job is guaranteed until you have received an offer letter. 

It is important to be calm, honest, confident, and patient when applying for jobs. Companies value these qualities over experience. The greenhouse recruitment process, for example, assesses your motivation and confidence during interviews. Appearing calm and confident increases your chances of getting the job.