How to ace your interview in 2022? Complete Guide

Posted on January 25, 2022By Mourad Hamed Abdelouahab

A start to the year full of projects, a slump or a simple desire to change jobs can make you take the leap of job search. The shortage of manpower that the country is experiencing in several fields will certainly increase your chances of changing jobs this year, and therefore of having an interview.

You start the process, you prepare your documents, you look at job offers on Jobillico, then bingo! Your application has been selected for the position you are applying for. Your CV has been selected and your cover letter has left a good impression on the recruiter.

At that point, questions abound: how to prepare for an interview and how to succeed and how to make a good impression? These are the questions we will answer in this article.

What is an interview?

An interview is an exchange of information between a candidate and an employer. For the candidate, it is an opportunity to showcase their qualities and skills. However, for the employer, this is the best time to choose the ideal candidate.

The job interview is a perfect time to find out if the current is flowing between the candidate and the employer, but also so that the latter can confirm his choices in terms of recruitment. As a candidate, this allows you to briefly discover your work environment.

Before the pandemic and the transition to teleworking in many sectors, the interview most often took place on company premises. For two years, it is also necessary to prepare for the possibility of a remote job interview or video interview, via e-mail. This type of interview requires special preparation.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your interview, succeed in it and get the job of your dreams:

1. Get ready

Before the interview, you need to be prepared and have everything planned out. Ask if there is an exam scheduled as part of the interview process. If necessary, you can also inquire about the number of participants.

Learn about the company, its products, services and customers if applicable. It is also very important to read between the lines of the job offer in order to identify what is expected of you in the medium and long term.

If you're afraid of public speaking, there are ways to cope during an interview. The main thing is to do storytelling, that is to say to tell your journey with a narrative form. Thus, you will be confident and you will capture the attention of your audience. For more details, you can read our article on the subject.

Tip J!

When preparing for your job interview, be proactive and plan the answers to possible questions. Try to memorize your education, skills and experience so that you are comfortable when the employer asks you these questions.

2. Rehearse a short speech

Once you've become familiar with the questions recruiters ask, start reviewing your answers. Usually, the interview is about your education, experiences, accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses. Feel free to write sample answers that you prepared in step 1.

Preparing a short speech does not mean learning texts by heart, but rather preparing the outline of your speech to recruiters.

3. Rest the night before

To be at your best, you need to be rested. Be convincing, without overdoing it. An employer is not looking for a perfect person, but more a person who feels good about themselves. Being rested allows you to have a good attitude, a good state of mind will make you succeed in your interview.

4 . be on time

It is advisable to arrive ten to fifteen minutes in advance. If you are able, locate the premises of the company and try to find out the route, its duration and the parking lots nearby if necessary. That way, you'll arrive early enough to catch your breath and prepare for your interview.

In the case of a remote interview, it is important to carefully check your computer, the positioning of your camera and the operation of your microphone. Do this to avoid unpleasant surprises during your interview. A camera that does not work, a microphone out of adjustment and we can quickly lose the thread of our ideas and be distracted during the interview.

5. Dress appropriately

Preparing for an interview requires preparing suitable clothing. Depending on the job you are applying for, you need to adapt your dress style. Either way, dress modestly. Ditch your comfortable T-shirts and shorts even if it's 40°C on the day of your interview.

This advice is also valid for video interviews in the era of telecommuting. Don't stay in your pajama bottoms thinking the recruiter won't see you. Dressing up gets you in the mood for a formal meeting and mentally prepares you to be serious and thorough.

6. Prepare for a scenario

During your job interview, you will be confronted with at least one scenario. The objective for the employer is to put you in the shoes of an employee of the company and to know the following thing: if you were in this position and you had to manage such and such a situation, what would you do ?

Consult our article on the scenario during an interview to find examples and tips.

7. Be positive

You will surely have to answer this embarrassing question, that of addressing one of your weak points. Explain what you are doing to improve it. For example, if you don't have enough experience, you could claim one of your courses or similar experience. In any case, avoid criticism and negative comments.

Did you know there are ways to turn flaws into strengths during an interview? Find out how in this article.

8. Stay consistent

Avoid overreacting. Respond concisely to the questions asked. Don't jump from rooster to donkey, and don't get confused in vague examples.

Also, try to have an adjusted flow, a neat language and put aside your verbal tics if you have any. This will give you the impression that you have prepared well for your interview.

9. Try to address the points that you will forget

Preparing for an interview means being prepared to forget certain things you wanted to say. The stress of an interview, or its progress, can make you forget information that you consider important for a successful interview. Address them at the end. They will certainly have a positive impact on the end of your interview.

10. Don't Forget Behavioral Questions

Often recruiters want to add extra steps to their recruiting processes. The goal here is to have some details on your team behavior in the face of a situation, for example: the ability to manage change, how to manage your emotions, your ability to question yourself, etc.

Knowing if there is a good fit between you and the recruiter will only be beneficial for both parties. Thus, you will be in your place in your new role, the recruiter will have the personality and he wants in teams. So be prepared to answer some behavioral questions. We have examples here.

11. Prepare to talk about yourself

This question is a classic. There is not a recruiter who will not ask you to talk about your personality and your background. The answers and the construction of your speech will inevitably be embarrassing for you. It is for this reason that you must be prepared to respond. How?

Have a short and concise answer template. Memorize three sentences that relate to your course and your professional profile. Take a chronological approach to your story. If you don't want people listening to you to feel lost, tell your professional story in chronological order. Here are some ways to answer the question: tell me about yourself.

12. Assess the company's work environment

Take advantage of the time of your meeting with the potential employer to get an idea of ​​the work environment offered by the company. You can also ask specific questions in this regard. You can determine if the job is right for you and if you would be comfortable working in this company instead of another. Succeeding in an interview also means being able to project yourself into an environment that appeals to you.

13. Watch out for discriminatory questions

Another way to prepare for an interview is to be alert to any derogatory remarks. Your origins, your sexual orientation and your religion concern only you. Be informed of your rights and the exceptions provided for in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If you have any questions, you will find all the information on the Canadian Human Rights Commission website.

List of documents to have during the interview

Most asked questions during an interview

During a job interview, recruiters will have prepared a multitude of questions for you. Regardless of their number or nature, know that several are essential. Here are a few, get ready to answer them!

If you want more details on the most frequently asked questions in interviews and how to answer them, read our article on this topic!

Questions to ask at the end of an interview

After a job interview, don't hesitate to ask questions. Among the questions you can afford to ask, most relate to the position offered:

Find the questions to ask during a job interview in our article: 12 Questions to ask recruiters during an interview.

What to say and what to do during the interview?

Introduce yourself and shake hands with those present firmly. A firm handshake gives a sense of confidence and determination to your potential employer.

Otherwise, smile! A sincere smile will put you at ease and speak volumes about your attitude. Do not sit down unless given permission.

Let the interviewer lead the interview and set the tone. Try to make eye contact and answer questions in a firm, clear and confident voice. Be relaxed and ready to answer questions about your education, training, skills, work experience, and aspects of your personality—in short, everything that makes you the right candidate for the job.

Tip J!

If you do not understand a question, do not hesitate to ask for an explanation. It is better to ask questions to express misunderstanding than to answer incorrectly.

During the interview, you will certainly be asked if you have any questions. Prepare a few and pose them to show your interest in the job and the company.

What to do after the interview?

This is the least "fun" period of the hiring process. Sometimes the waiting time for a response varies between a few days and a few weeks. What to do while waiting for an answer?

Write an email to recruiters

Preparing for an interview means managing after the interview. Thank the recruiters for taking the time to interview you. Remind them again of your level of interest in the position by reminding them of your qualifications. It is best to send this email the same day as your interview.

Not sure how to go about writing the thank you email? Get inspired by our thank you email templates.

Think back to your interview

Ask yourself questions about the parts that went well or not, what you could say or do differently next time, this will be part of your learning at each of your interviews.

Follow-up call or email

Be ready to answer a possible call from the employer. Even if you are not called, do it yourself. After two weeks, you can contact the person in charge of recruitment to follow up on your interview, and get an idea of ​​the progress of the hiring process.

Ask questions, even in case of refusal

If you don't get the job, you can ask why. Here is an example of a question to ask: “Is it possible to know what would have made me a better candidate for this position?” Ask if there are other vacancies in your field. Thank the employer for considering your application.

We have prepared for you an example of a case of refusal after an interview. Find in this article the list of things to do after a failed interview.

Stay professional

Even if you don't get the job, you never know when that employer will have another job for you.

To finish…

All you have to do is follow all these steps to the letter to prepare for your interview and increase your chances of succeeding. Always stay positive: a successful interview does not mean getting the job. Also, not getting the job doesn't mean you failed your interview!