Preparing for an interview is nerve wracking for the candidates and the recruiters alike. It can be off-putting for both parties, when one or both come unprepared for the interview.

Out of a focus group of 200 individuals, 80% agreed that if an interviewer showed up 10 minutes late, it would leave a negative impression of the organization. Likewise, employers don’t approve of many new candidates’ communication skills.

60% of fresh graduates don’t have the interpersonal communication skills to be able to successfully complete an interview. So what should candidates and recruiters think about before the interview? 

For the Candidate…

1. Research the company.

How can you prepare or rehearse for an interview if you don’t really understand the organization you want to work for?

2. Prepare questions.

You’ve done all of the research you can. You know the employer brand inside and out, and the company history is just as familiar. However, you’re not done just yet. Look at the job description again… think of questions you might have regarding the position itself and the culture that comes along with it. You don’t want to end up as part of the 20% of employees who end up leaving the position because you didn’t end up being the right fit for the job. What better way to prevent that from happening than asking some questions… and you can only ask questions if you have the information to formulate them. Knowing the job description helps to prepare for the interview as well. The better you know the job description, the better you know the position – hopefully – and can answer questions accordingly.

 3. Remember everything your mother taught you.

She may have been bothersome growing up, constantly saying, “stand-up straight,” and “look at me when I’m talking to you.” Little did you know, however, how much that would prepare you for job interviews in the future. Everything from your smile to your handshake has something to say about you. Be aware of the global culture of the job you’re applying for, though, as handshakes and other common courtesies might not be appropriate

For the Interviewer…

1. What questions can I ask?

Simply speaking, you can’t ask anything that could lead to job discrimination. Religion, sexuality, marital status, and children are all off limits. Marriage and children seem like easy ways to enter into small talk, but they pose a threat for candidates who seek a good work-life balance in order to deal with family situations.

 2. Know the binary.

Well, you don’t have to know the sequence of ones and zeros that allow the video interview service to work. If you’re using a video interviewing service, you do have to understand your technology. Sometimes, technology fails… the video lags, screen goes black, or the candidate is telling you about the project they got an award for and you simply can’t hear them. Don’t worry; GreenJobInterview has the support you need to get through these tough tech times.

3. Know the position.

As a recruiter, you have to understand the position you’re trying to attract candidates to. Be prepared for questions candidates may have, because hopefully they will come prepared for some like, “What does a typical day in this position look like?” In a LinkedIn post by Amit Bhagwat, Senior Recruitment Lead, Lou Adler says, “An unprofessional recruiter is someone who doesn’t know the job they’re representing, doesn’t personally know the hiring manager, and doesn’t have deep industry knowledge.”

Research for both the candidate and the recruiter is essential for laying good groundwork. Know the position, know the technology, and come with questions. Before the interview, take a short 15-minute breather. Compose yourself, and remember everything you rehearsed. Deborah Shane, career author, speaker, and media and marketing consultant, says:

“Those 15 minutes are your opportunity to get yourself into the right frame of mind, and set your energy and focus on who you’ll be meeting with, what you want them to remember about you, and what you want to ask them.”

Bio: Julie Salerno, VP Sales

Julie Salerno provides guidance and leadership to GreenJobInterview’s sales team and is responsible for the ongoing growth of the company’s revenues and profitability. She is involved in strategic planning, helping to managing the company’s resources, and improving its business processes.

Previously, she served as a partner and senior executive recruiter at Personnel Strategies, Inc.

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