Translation of publicist‘s post (RUS).

Sooner or later, all of us face the necessity of looking for work, and the job interview is one of the key stages in this process. What should you know, and how should you prepare in order to succeed and get the job you want?

Be Ready for the Phone Call

An interview begins not in the company’s office, but when their representative calls you. Even at this stage, you are being judged on your voice, speech tempo, and the clarity of your questions and answers. Specify what position you are being sought for. Ask questions that interest you and enable you to judge whether the job is right. If you think it isn’t, communicate this to the employer. If you’re happy, arrange to meet at a mutually convenient time.

Be sure to write down the address and telephone number of the company representative, so that you may contact them in case of an emergency. Ask whom you will be meeting with, and write down their first and last name. Ask whether you will need additional documents besides the resume: for example, your passport, letters of recommendation, diplomas, certificates, etc.

Pay Attention to Your Appearance

Different companies have different dress codes. Banks usually prefer suits, while design companies have a more relaxed policy. Whatever the case, if you are unsure, pick a more conservative, business-like outfit. No striking colors. Women should avoid excessive make-up, open-neck tops and short skirts. Men should avoid overly bright neckties and light socks with a dark suit. Whatever you decide to wear should look neat. Pay attention to your hair, nails and shoes. The strong smell of perfume, cologne or cigarettes might make a bad impression.

Be Punctual

It is unacceptable to be late to a job interview, but you shouldn’t come too early either. Try to kill time outside the office until a few minutes before your scheduled meeting. Calculate how long it will take you to get to the location. Plan your route ahead of time and add an extra 30 minutes for traffic and unforeseen events. If you’re not familiar with the area, take a trip there the day before to make sure you have it right. If you’re running late, always call and warn the company representative. Ask whether they can wait for you. Arriving late, even if your reasons are legitimate, could ruin your chances.

Prepare for the Interview Beforehand

Research the company you’re going to interview with. This information can be found in the news, on the internet, or by asking your friends. Check the company website. It will tell you its history, corporate structure, areas of work and personnel policy. Be prepared to answer why you’re looking for work and what kind of salary you expect. You will be asked other questions as well. For example:

• Successes and failures at previous jobs;
• Your strengths and weaknesses;
• Relationships with previous bosses and colleagues;
• How you organize your work;
• What kind of company/collective you would/would not like to work in;
• What kind of boss you would prefer to have;
• What is a deal-breaker for you when choosing a company?
• What distinguishes you from other candidates?

You might be asked to give an example of how you dealt with a certain task at your previous job, such as how you managed to increase sales, open a new branch or oversee employee training. You might also be asked to describe how you dealt with problems or unusual situations. Sometimes, the interviewer will outline a problem and ask that you come up with a solution on the spot.

Additionally, you could be tested on your basic skills, like how fast you type or how well you use a certain program. It is impossible to guess what you will be asked, but you should be prepared for such a situation. Think about what questions you want to ask your employer. Sometimes, our questions say more about us than our answers do.

Display Confidence

During the conversation, gesticulate, but don’t cross your arms or swing them around. Also, avoid unnecessary movements, like fiddling with a pen. It is better to look the other person between the eyebrows, rather than in the eyes. No looking around or at the floor. Speak clearly, without raising your voice too much, but don’t whisper either. Be respectful and friendly. Don’t forget to greet the interviewer when you meet and ask them how they prefer to be addressed.

Turn off your mobile phone. Don’t interrupt the speaker. Listen attentively to the questions and only respond once you’ve understood what is being asked. Smile during the conversation and use your sense of humor when appropriate, but don’t overdo it. Don’t say anything negative about your previous employers, colleagues, or bosses.

Be Specific

Give concrete answers to questions. If you don’t know how to respond, it is better to say so. Don’t talk too much. For example, when asked about yourself, only give the most important information: where you studied, where you worked, what your main goals were, etc. It is unacceptable to reply that everything is already in your resume. There is no reason to get uncomfortable when you are asked about your salary. State how much you expect to get paid, or if that proves difficult for you, state the least you would settle for.

Think About Recommendations

During the interview, you might be asked to give contact information about your former employers, colleagues or subordinates. Plan ahead whom you’d like to mention, and have telephone numbers ready. It would be better to let these people know ahead of time.

Most importantly, if you believe in your success and professionalism, you will easily land any job you want!