Preparing for the recruitment and selection process

Before the interview...

Gather information about the company

• How long has it been operating? Who owns it? In which countries does it operate?
• What is its business?
• How many people does it employ? How many branches does it have?
• Are its revenues increasing? What is its position on the market? How well is it developing?
• What kind of information, especially recent news on new products, prizes, change of image, etc., is given on its website?

Where should I look for information?

The Internet, press archives, a visit to the company before the interview. A visit like this means you can find out what kind of atmosphere prevails in the company, talk to employees, read its PR material, learn important facts about the department you are applying to, or even the person who will interview you.

Preparing yourself

• Think about what you can offer the employer and which of your skills will be of use (try to imagine in which areas you are able to use your greatest strengths, what effects they may have at your future workplace, think about situations in which you can take the initiative).
• Think in advance about your answers to the questions the most frequently asked by employers (you will find a list of such questions below).
• Consider whether or not you really feel that this is the job for you and why (you need to be sure, otherwise the recruiter will notice your hesitation).
• Check in advance where the company offices and parking are located and how much time it will take to get there (and just to be sure, then add 20 minutes).
• Prepare a suitable outfit (the best strategy is to have different sets of clothes for different weather). Your clothes must be clean, the shirt pressed, the colours subdued and the outfit classic. Avoid excessive or flamboyant accessories.
• Be fresh and rested.

Do a self-presentation exercise

Self-presentation can be principally described as the ability to answer two questions:

• What is my potential?
• Which of my traits should I present in any given situation?

Start the exercise by writing down your strengths (“What can I do?” “What are the things I’m good at?”). Now, stand in front of a mirror and present yourself, talking for one minute. Make an audio or video recording of the presentation. Play it, repeat and re-record it, thinking about the errors you made (maybe you don’t modulate your voice, maybe you don’t know what to do with your hands…?).

Now it’s time to write down what the recruiter will expect from you. Then imagine that he or she is standing next to you and play the scene again, trying to convince him or her that you are the right person for the job. Record your performance and listen to it again; try to analyse if you have managed to met the recruiter’s expectations.

Always remember this. It’s easier to play yourself and talk about your strengths than to pretend you are someone else. And practise makes perfect!