Electus

After the employer has notified you about being short-listed in the selection process and pencilled in the exact time and place of the interview appointment, it is necessary to make some preparations. What to do prior to the appointed interview?

Make inquiries about the company advertising the job vacancy

For instance, visit the company website, if there is any; go to the library and have a look at the recent newspaper issues; pay special attention to the company mission, if you find any, as it would represent the total set of most important company values and ideals.

Make inquires about the specific position offered

Try to find out which knowledge, skills and competencies are needed to perform specific work assignments. Consider the conditions you meet and to what extent. Be honest and make your self-assessment as much objective as possible.

Think about what you would like to know about the job offered

Think about specific questions you would ask during the job interview. By asking additional questions you leave an impression of being interested and motivated for the specific position.

Make a good study your CV

Before going for the interview appointment, make a good study of your CV to avoid any embarrassing situations due to inaccurate dates or inability to remember any specific details mentioned in the CV, which should be emphasized during the interview.

Practice your '2-minute presentation'

While looking for a job, you will often be in a position to be asked to spend a minute or two saying something about yourself. Do not resort to moment inspiration! Give it a thought and practice your '2-minute presentation'. Draft a short and clear presentation of yourself. Your presentation should include the following:

• Education details (place and type of education, titles)
• Description of your current position (company, its business activities, your position, your current assignments)
• Description of a former job in which you acquired the experience that might help you in your new job (where, when, how and why you consider that it might be useful for your new job)
• special skills (adapt this part to the specific position you are applying for)
• Foreign languages (if your knowledge is excellent/good, make sure to emphasize that, mention your potential overseas visits, learning methods)
• Reasons for a new job and your expectations

Practice your '2-minute presentation'. Briefly write down what you want to mention, practice it aloud as many times as it is needed to make your presentation fluent. Ask others for assistance. Ask your friends or family members to be your audience and express their opinion about your presentation. Take it into consideration and adapt your presentation accordingly. If you are expected to know a foreign language, prepare and practice your '2-minute presentation' in a foreign language using the above mentioned methodology since there is a great possibility that you might be asked to present yourself in the language you mentioned that you know.

Repeat the most frequent questions asked during business interviews and their answers

There are specific questions that are repeated during almost all selection interviews. Prepare your answers to such questions. Confident and level-minded responses show how self-confident and competent you are, and leave a positive impression on the interviewer.

Prepare telephone numbers of persons who might give you recommendations

It is useful to consider in advance the persons who might give you recommendations and to pencil in their telephone numbers to be provided to the interviewer should you be asked to. The recommendation source could be your employer, associate, professor... However, bear in mind that contacting these persons should not be a negative experience for anybody.

Think about your dress code

There is not any written rule about the dress code. However, the choice of attire could significantly affect the first impression you leave on the interviewer. Be tidy and clean, dress up decently and professionally, in compliance with the position you are applying for.

Prepare 'your presentation material'

Job advertisements often require specific documents. Try to collect them in advance! Put all the documents you might need in your job search at one place.

• CV (Croatian, English…)
• Certificate of citizenship
• High school diplomas
• University diplomas
• Course certificates (foreign languages, computer courses, typing courses...)
• Recommendations
• Awards and certifications of merit

We recommend you should use a special folder for all these documents that would be ready-made 'presentation material'. Make copies of all above mentioned documents and 'back up presentation material', and keep them in another folder

Have a good night sleep and a rest

To make a good presentation and leave a good overall impression, it is important that you appear to be fresh and rested. Before going for the new job interview, try to organize your time to prepare adequately, and thus lessen sources of unnecessary stress.

Be punctual

Not too early or too late! Bear in mind that the employer has a lot of everyday obligations, and that your early or late interview arrival affects his/her schedule and leaves an impression of negligence. Therefore, do your best to be punctual.

Do not drink or smoke prior to the interview

Your attire and hair could smell of the cigarette smoke, which definitely does not leave a positive impression on anybody! Even if your drink just a light alcoholic drink, it could be felt in your breath during the interview.