Whether after school or after a long period in the same company, going through a job interview is sometimes a stressful ordeal. With the health crisis and the change in communication methods, some codes have become obsolete or even forgotten. However, that period seems to be behind us and interviews in physics are gradually coming back. To put all the chances on your side, here is a collection of codes, tips and tricks inspired by our 15 years of experience working alongside candidates.
1- The dress
The rise of start-ups has changed the world of work to bring a more relaxed and lighter vision. It is not uncommon to see CEOs of certain unicorns in basketball jeans and their teams wearing clothes that are less conventional than before. It is therefore legitimate to ask the question: what should I wear to go to my interview?
The first piece of advice we could give is that it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. Not familiar with company dress codes? Opt for a professional, simple and elegant outfit. It is a safe bet for which you will never be penalized.
You've noticed on business photos that the trend was pretty casual, but that doesn't mean they'll be tolerant during interviews.
The dress reflects your personality, but also your seriousness and professionalism. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a good first impression.
2- The non-verbal
Non-verbal communication is an important element in communication and especially during job interviews. Less subject to the conscious than the verbal, the non-verbal allows you to learn more about a person. With the significant democratization of video conferences, it has become easier to disguise this non-verbal language as parasitic gestures, tics and even facial expressions thanks to the feedback of the camera. During physical interviews, it becomes more difficult to mask stress, which means planning some strategies beforehand.
Do you tend not to stay in place? Take a small notebook and pen with you. You'll be able to take notes and focus your attention more easily.
Do you play with your hair in times of stress? Tie your hair up so you don't get tempted.
3- The posture
In non-verbal communication, posture plays a decisive role. From your arrival on site to your departure, many actions can convey a message that is not the one you want to express.
Here are the actions to avoid:
- Crossing your arms: While this may be caused by stress and lack of trust, crossing your arms generally reflects a negative feeling. Lying, closing, defending or even disagreeing are often associated with this gesture.
- Avoid sight: the look is a reflection of your thought. By looking the other way regularly, you will create the image of someone who is intimidating, unconfident, and even dishonest. If you have trouble looking someone in the eye, you can look at nose level at eye level.
- Touching your mouth: Passing your hand over your mouth during a discussion can evoke a contradiction between your words and your thoughts. This gesture can be interpreted as if you were subconsciously trying to erase these words. Once again, taking notes is the best way to prevent these parasitic behaviors.
- Put your elbows on the table: In France, putting your elbows on the table is a frowned upon gesture in many contexts. In interviews, this refers to an excess of self-confidence and subconsciously evokes the fact that you are encroaching on the space of others. Keep your elbows close to your body and limit your forearm support.
To convey a positive image, we recommend that you:
- stand up straight even when sitting
- Have a candid but not pushy look
- smile without forcing yourself
- keep your arms next to your body when standing
- Give a handshake that is neither too firm nor too soft without turning the other person's hand
- keep your legs crossed when sitting
It is important that your attitude seems as natural as possible, do not fall into the trap of overplaying!
4- The language
While it may seem obvious that language is important, we still want to highlight a few important points:
1- An adapted vocabulary:
With the arrival of many anglicisms in professional language, take the time to make sure that your interlocutor has understood you well or vice versa. It is entirely possible to ask for more details about a name if you know the subject under another name. We therefore recommend that you use clear and intelligible language to avoid any misunderstandings.
2- Talk about the positive:
Avoid the use of words with negative connotations. In everyday speech, we regularly use negative phrases like “I don't have a problem with that” or “no problem”. However, the ear will hear the words “worries” and “problem” which will unconsciously induce negative resentment even if the meaning of the sentence is quite different. It is therefore recommended to use positive turns of phrase “that suits me”, “I agree with that”.
3 - Maintain your posture:
The start of the interview is going well, your language is appropriate, and the discussion is easy, that's a good sign. Towards the end of the interview, does the recruiter start to become friendlier to you and allows himself to use more familiar vocabulary? Don't fall into the trap! Maintain your expert posture throughout the interview. This short test is commonplace for recruiters in order to break the masks. You must be able to maintain your professionalism in all circumstances.
The first part of our series of articles dedicated to preparing for your interview is over. To sum up, be confident in yourself and in your added value throughout the interview.
We hope you find all of these tips helpful in getting your next job!
