Imagine receiving a call from the company you had dreamed of. Find someone in your profile for a comfortable and well-paid position.
You have the experience and skills necessary to aspire to it, so you decide to accept the challenge. What is the next step? The job interview, a process as feared as necessary, considering that it is the only way for both parties to meet face to face and exchange impressions.
Few circumstances are as scary as this in the workplace, because anyone who has ever faced an interview knows that nerves can play a trick on anyone and, consequently, cause their name to be crossed off the list of candidates.
Humans are the only animal that stumbles twice on the same stone, but in order to avoid a third, journalist and mental health activist Harriet Williamson has asked Twitter users to share their worst experiences.
1.Discrimination
Many have denounced uncomfortable or even illegal situations: from discrimination by interviewers who considered that a candidate did not dress or put on makeup appropriately for her company, to the lack of sensitivity of a selection manager who It reminded the interviewee of her father’s death. But there are also other cases where the responsibility for the fiasco falls on those who seek employment.
“I interviewed a Russian girl and asked her about empathy if she had to call to demand payment from a defaulter. ‘If someone were to cry, what would you do?’ Her response was: ‘Tears can’t help you,’ “recalls a tweet. Showing empathy is important in any job facing the public. To be realistic, saying that ‘the customer is always right’ sounds presumptuous, but at least it must appear so.
2.Soft Skills
The concept of customer satisfaction is key in current ‘marketing’ strategies, since it determines to what extent the products offered meet the expectations of buyers and, therefore, encourages a business to differentiate itself. Hence, a large number of jobs require ‘soft’ skills, understood as such those related to leadership skills and the improvement of interpersonal relationships.
3.Social Media
“I went to a second interview for a position in Mayfair and towards the end of the process, one of the women who interviewed asked me ‘What do you think about this?’, Taking out a printed copy of a tweet of mine in which I was mocked from a portrait of Margaret Thatcher that I had observed in the previous interview. “This other example responds to a maxim that, no matter how much it is repeated, still does not gel: Be careful with social networks! Personnel selection managers use them to assess candidates.
4.Background research on interviewers and companies
“I was really nervous before an interview. They asked me what sales are. I’m not sure why, but I answered, ‘It’s basically lying.’ Bad question and worse answer. They sent me to the door in two minutes. ” It is no secret that some HR departments of large companies use psychological techniques to further explore the resume and confuse the interviewee, but in many other cases the questions are simply touchstones.
Therefore, it is important to anticipate issues as much as possible, taking into account the job description and the nature of the company. “Do your background research on the company and the person interviewing you. You need to know who you’re talking to
5.Gestures and Facial expressions
However, Hilary Murray’s disastrous experience shows that you don’t have to take expert advice to the letter. “I decided to study tips for the interview: I had read that you had to give a firm handshake and not take your eyes off the interviewer showing enthusiasm. The guy comes in, I walk over to him and shake my hand firmly on the way to the seat. Never I took my intense gaze from his eyes until he sat up. I was terrified. “
6.Double-edged weapon
The body language has a strong impact, both physical and psychic, so you get to control it and handle it properly, depending on the context in which each person is, can make the difference between success and failure professional.
For example, standing with your hands on a table and slightly leaning forward, with your hands on your hips, or sitting with your back and shoulders raised, increases testosterone levels and reduces cortisone (the stress hormone). . On the other hand, the low production of cortisone, through postures in which it tries to occupy as much space as possible, avoiding crossing your legs or arms, counteracts expressions of nervousness and, therefore, also stress.
Touching your nails or crossing your fingers also denotes a lack of confidence, as does putting your feet in or hiding your hands (either in your pockets or on your lap). Sitting with your legs together is also not a sign of security or control. Some questions that, if taken into account, can determine the result of a job interview, according to experts. Gesturing is positive to give a feeling of productivity and competition, as well as walking fast, but as long as they are not abused and it is about practicing moderation.
