There are different areas you can prepare yourself for before an interview: content, knowledge, and logistics.
Most initial interviews are interested in understanding your experience and background. So, before the interview, take some time to remember some noteworthy work situations, including good and bad moments, easy and difficult scenarios, and, most importantly, what you did in these situations.
It is also important to research a little bit about the company before the interview to evaluate if you are a good match for the company and position. Think about your strengths and skills that match the company’s values and the job requirements. Also, write down any questions you have about the job and company to ask during the interview; this demonstrates your preparation and interest.
Before the interview, you should ensure that your equipment works by testing your mic and your camera and that you have a quiet/private space.
The interview will primarily assess your ability to do your job. You should be yourself, but make sure to highlight your previous professional experiences, skills, and behavior rather than personal information. The initial interview exists for the company to get to know you better, determine if you are a good fit for the job, and understand how you would deal with certain daily situations.
If you get nervous and totally blank during the interview, don’t panic! Not everything is lost. Take a deep breath, politely inform the evaluator you don’t have the answer on the spot and ask if you can come back to the question later so that you have a little more time to think. This is better than just stalling or saying the first thing that comes to mind just to answer something.
Recruiters typically use a script or set of prewritten questions to get to know you, your professional experience, and how you usually work. So, if they don’t get the needed information through your answers, the interview doesn’t meet its goal. It is very common for people not to move along in the hiring process because they didn’t answer what the recruiter asked or gave confusing or unassertive answers. If you are not sure if you answered the evaluator’s question, you can always ask for clarification or if they would like to hear more details or different examples. This shows that you care and value clear communication.
If you can communicate well and get your message across, it doesn’t matter if you are shy! Also, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable; it’s okay to tell stories without a successful outcome. Recruiters care more about what you did and how you did it rather than the result.
Sometimes other candidates are just better suited for the specific position at the time. However, you may still be a good fit for the company as a whole, and most companies are willing to keep you in their database to consider you for other opportunities that are a better match for you. Remember: even if you see vacancies that you don't fit 100% into, it’s still worth applying because it could still work out in the future or open new doors.
Most companies (including KIS) conduct behavioral-based interviews in which they ask how you navigated problems in the past. To improve your chances of performing well on this kind of interview, we suggest using storytelling to share your valuable experiences. Here are a few tips based on this technique:
For your interview, you shouldn’t speak too slow or too fast, share too much detail, or rush through your answers. Instead, focus on delivering only the essential context and information. If you are not sure how much detail you should share in a question, you can always ask the recruiter how much time you have to complete this part of the interview. Most of all, be responsive and present during the interview.
Interviews can be intimidating, but with these tips, you have nothing to worry about.
Interested in an interview with KIS? We want to hear from you! Check out our available jobs.
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