SZÓKINCSFEJLESZTÉS: Job interviews and finding a new job

In our present-day situation when lots of people live day to day and literally nothing can be taken for granted job security is more important than ever. But it doesn’t always depend on us. It may happen that you suddenly lose your job.

It’s not necessarily your fault, various circumstances can lead to it. In this Covid-stricken world, these are usually economic circumstances. If you work in tourism, or in the entertainment or hospitality industry you probably go through difficult times and have to reconsider your options. We don’t know when or if things get back to near normal. Until then people have to survive somehow in the economic sense of the word, too. If you find yourself without income or with just a fraction of your previous income to live on it may be sensible to try to find a different job option for the time being. It’s not a tragedy if it’s not something you’ve trained for and have done all your life. Unusual times call for unusual methods and sometimes it can be beneficial to try something new even if you hadn’t planned on a change.

The first step to find a new job is usually sending in your CV and then comes a job interview. Under normal circumstances, it’s a face-to-face interview but currently, most of the job interviews take place online on zoom or other similar platforms. To make a good impression on your potential employer you have to be prepared. Research the field and the company and know exactly why you would like to work for them. It’s worth investing time into clarifying your best selling points and merits, and stating what makes you the best candidate for the job. Be as enthusiastic as you possibly can. The interviewer should see that you’re really interested in the job. There are always more candidates for positions than there are openings, so interviewers look for ways to screen people out. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why they might not want to hire you. Then prepare your defence and try to prove to them that you’re indeed the best possible candidate.

Prepare for common interview questions so that you won’t be easily surprised. Think about what kind of questions you’re most likely to encounter, then prepare your answers so you won’t have to fumble for them during the actual interview. Go to the interview with a few intelligent questions to demonstrate for the interviewer your knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and you should have one or two ready. If you say, “No, not really,” the interviewer may conclude that you’re not all that interested in the job or the company.

Try to speak confidently and convincingly and make eye contact. Rehearse it before the interview to see how you’ll manage. Record your performance and then play it back to see where you need to improve.

A job interview is a communication process in which both parties have their say. Don’t make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you the questions. Be polite but assertive. It’s your responsibility to make sure the interviewer gets to know about you as much as he or she possibly can.

As for what to wear, most job interviews call for professional, or business attire. For men, this is a suit jacket and trousers with a shirt and tie. For women, a blouse and dress pants or a skirt or a modest dress is appropriate. What you should not wear to a job interview is casual clothing, sandals or flip-flops, poorly fitting clothes, flashy clothes or jewellery, stained or wrinkled clothing, too much makeup and heavy perfume or cologne.

Try to close your interview on a positive note and smile. Even if you feel that your interview didn’t go so well, don’t give up and don’t let it show on you. Finding a job may not be easy but practice makes perfect. The next job interview – if needed – will definitely be a better and a more rewarding experience.