ARE YOU GOING TO AN INTERVIEW?

Are you going to an interview? How have you prepared? Ah, you have entrusted yourself to the Creator and let it be his will, well, sorry, it is not enough.

How will you dress? Take care of your presentation, no one is looking for a slovenly person. Many times almost terrifying images appear on my screen that make you question the sanity of the person in front of you, something like: Does this boy want to be successful in this interview or is he sabotaging his effort? A fashion show is not necessary but seeing yourself groomed, tidy, with clean clothes, says something good about you. It is very good to think that what is worth is what people carry inside, but putting a nice wrapper on it doesn't hurt anyone, don't you think?

Have you found out about the position, the organization? Ah, no of course, you left that to who you already know, upstairs ... NO !! Find out about the company, whatever tells you: What is it? What does it do? Is it local or international? How many years has it been in operation? What vision do they have, values? What does the position do? Have you looked up job descriptors for that position on the internet? Surely yes, huh? Well, you should, it costs nothing to enter the position in a search engine and I assure you that you will obtain a large number of profiles that can help you have a more exact idea of what they expect to find.

Of course, you have become familiar with some of the skills of the position: leadership, communication, decision-making, teamwork, results-oriented, etc., and surely you have anecdotes from your experience with which you can show how good you are at each one of them, you don′t have any? Think of hypothetical cases that they might pose to you.

Many consultants tell you not to rehearse your answers and they are right if what you are going to do is memorize them and recite them like some receptionists or fast food service personnel do (it is not their fault for the record), definitely do not do it like that.

But it is important to do it, rehearse and approach the question each time differently, so that you become familiar with various answer options and to develop your spontaneity. Ask someone to help you, ask the tough questions, and keep going until you feel safe. Don't make the mistake that most people make: they don't prepare, they go back and forth and then have another similar interview in another place, and they go again without preparing, it is like that saying of "don't expect better results if you always do the same thing."

"Be yourself" is another piece of advice they give you and, well, okay, but "Be yourself well prepared" sounds much better to me. Do not trust your great sympathy, do not trust what your mother tells you, for her you will always be "the best", "the most handsome", "the most intelligent", of course, she will not tell you your defects, weaknesses, or as we say now "areas for improvement" because she does not want to hurt your self-esteem, self-concept, etc. But, the one who must be clear about what areas have to be worked on, is you, and if you don't know it, seek help, ask for feedback from those who know you or work with you, open your mind, accept opinions with humility.

"Don't mention your flaws?" Well, there's no reason not to as long as you're working on improving them, but don't just say "I'm working on that", if you can be specific, the better. Mention a specific method you are using to improve your assertive communication, your situational leadership, your ability to make faster decisions, etc. Not sure what methods are there? Welcome to the internet! Trust me, there is so much more to it than just funny videos, music, and movies.

Many times I have had to put the interviewee with his feet on the ground and more than once, I had to do something for him to react. There are people who arrive reluctantly, with a defeatist, fearful, anxious attitude, as if they were saying "I know I'm not going to do well but well, I'm here." I don't like these behaviors because they waste my time and turn into exhausting, unpleasant interviews, and even though I know I shouldn't, I will be making an effort to rescue the candidate, it's wasted time. This does not have to do with the educational level of a person or their economic position, it is important to clarify it.

There is another thing that candidates often forget and that is to establish a cordial but professional relationship with the interviewers who are there precisely to select one of several and find a specific profile that they are looking for. As you have done your research, it is very possible that you will discover that you prepared yourself for the correct profile.

The interviewers are not your friends, refrain from bad jokes or inappropriate comments, this does not really help you. Be mindful of time.

Get to the point, be brief but cover what is important, do it safely and always with a pleasant expression, smile not with an artificial grimace, smile because you enjoy it, because you are facing a challenge for which you have prepared for and "you will give the best fight that you can ". "The dragon" no longer scares you, you have struck up a conversation with him and you both enjoy it!

Preparing for an interview gives you confidence, security, ease, raises your self-esteem and your self-concept, helps you to be more fluid when expressing yourself, and better handle the objections that may arise.

Be clear about how much you are worth and what you are looking for, whether it is to advance in your job, get a better one, or just get one because you are unemployed, preparing yourself to the best of your ability increases your chances of winning the position.

Focus, this is difficult for most of us, but make the effort to listen carefully, ask for extensions of what they want to know if you are not sure. Have a couple of questions ready, surely in your preparation and throughout the interview, doubts have arisen, you should ask them, they can show that you have a real interest in the position.

The interview is your first challenge in an employment process, there are other things to do, tests, group exercises, and some more. Each one is an additional challenge, do not neglect, remember, enjoy each one because you are ready, prepared, do not let it scare you, a little "nerves" is normal, but preparation should predominate. Good luck and let the dragons come!