10+1 Successful tips for your first interview

On the web you will find valuable information for most businesses, especially if they have an official website and social media accounts as well.

If the company you are interested in has retail stores, visit one those to find out more. For example, the activity of the company, the environment, the products e.c.t. The more you know about the company, the more you will attract your interlocutor’s attention. IMPORTANT. Avoid overdoing it with endless details that have no meaning in your conversation. Be accurate and specific; this way, you will achieve more.

You will be asked to list a couple of your achievements either during your training or your professional experience, and which ones you consider to be most valued by your prospective employer and your job position.
During your interview, try to be specific and substantiate how your actions were important for your previous employers.

This question should be answered by (a) referring to the specific actions or omissions you made, the reasons why they turned out not be correct, (c) actions you took to correct those mistakes and (d) what you gained from them.
As everyone else does, as well as you, it is necessary to avoid referring to all of the mistakes you made during your previous work experience. The most crucial answers are (c) and (d). It is also important to forgo blaming your former colleagues, this will have negative consequences for you. Stick only to your own mistakes, what you were taught from them and what you would have done differently today.

At this point, your interlocutor strives to value if you are capable for the job position. Make sure your assets are the most appropriate for the position, and there are unambiguous reasons why you should be chosen over other candidates.
As an example persistence in precision and details, the ability to scrutinize more are valued skills for an accounting office, although a candidate in the telephone sales department would be likely to have communication skills and to be extroverted, brave and polite.
About your weaknesses, you are invited to find the middle ground. Avoid referring to serious defects that would be a disincentive to your recruitment, and to unworthy reasons for weaknesses or weaknesses resulting from a superficial self-criticism.

It is important to avoid making insulting comments about your employer or coworkers, even if you did not leave your previous job, under the best conditions.
Focus on the positive effects of the new job, referring to new progress prospects, your positive impact on your performances, your need to work on a different subject, that might matches more your interests. If the only reason you quitted your previous job was bad working conditions, refer to that generally as an unpleasant working environment, from which you preferred to leave politely, in order to avoid serious future conflicts with your employer and colleagues.
Try not to mention or insinuate problems that might have already occurred.

You are surely to be asked about your opinion for the company you are currently working at or you had been working at. Focus on the benefits of it and avoid mentioning negative aspects and try to expose them by the possible discreet way.
You can explain, for example, that the family business in which you work at, has devised a strategy that does not coincide with your future aspirations, without pointing out your employer’s favour for a relative who might not have your formal qualifications and which you judge them as unworthy.

In any case, you must point out its main assets, whether they are about their professional abilities or their character. You will make a good impression if you mention that you will maintain a good relationship with your previous employer despite the fact you are switching jobs.
Even if your previous employer is the main reason why you want to leave your current position, rather than pointing out accusations, it is best to say that your personalities do not fit and you can not perform to the maximum. This is a professional approach and it honours you.

Clarify which types of personalities you get along best, while expressing your willingness and ability to work with anyone independently, since you believe that only through collaboration your goals can be achieved.
In any case you should not describe types of personalities that you are not compatible with.

You should avoid giving the impression that you act arbitrarily, or that you are failing to take initiatives.
Describe at least on situation where you acted without the guidance of your supervisor to resolve an emergency task, taking into account all the available information, the company’s interest, but meanwhile, maintain your good working relationship with your supervisor.
Always remember that companies prefer employees when they are low in the hierarchy to respect and stick to the organizational chart, while they prefer employees with high autonomy and ability to take initiatives and manage a crisis when they hold more senior positions.

You will have to expound your short- run-that is, less than five years and your long- run professional goals.
At this point you should be sure that your short-run goals are reasonable according to your previous professional experiences and will be the link between your current position and your long-run goals.

This is the most important question and your answer will determine if you will finally get the job you are aiming for.
You can refer to your main strengths and achievements and complete by mentioning your knowledge and skills.
You can refer to your main strengths and achievements by closing your answer with reference to your knowledge and skills that you estimate will directly and tangiblely benefit your future employer.

Have in mind that an interview is your chance to convince your employer that you are the most appropriate employee for the position. Do not claim the job position with low-esteem and the psychology of a beggar. Present yourself as the most capable with confidence.
Always speak with moderation, consistency and respect.