転職における面接対策のワンポイントアドバイス!事前準備におけるポイントも解説One-point advice on interview preparation for a new job! Explanation of key points in advance preparation!

The interview is one of the most important stages in the job search process. Passing the document screening process and getting an interview is a big step forward, but in order to make a good impression on the interviewer and receive a job offer, it is essential to prepare well in advance.

Especially in a job interview, you need to demonstrate your experience and skills and show that you are a valuable asset to the company.

In this article, we will thoroughly explain the key points to prepare for job interviews. If you have any concerns about interview etiquette or pre-interview preparation, please refer to this article.

The job interview generally proceeds as follows
 

• Self-introduction and self-promotion
• Question and answer session about reasons for changing jobs
• Question and answer session about your reasons for applying for the job
• Questions and answers about your qualifications, skills, experience, and achievements
• Confirmation of conditions by the interviewer
• Reverse questions to the interviewer

Please note, however, that the interview process varies from company to company, and this is just a general flow of the interview process. Let us explain one by one.

Self-Introduction and Self-PR

The interview generally begins with self-introductions and personal PR. Here, you should briefly introduce basic information about yourself and highlight your strengths and how your past experience will be useful for the position for which you are applying.

The appropriate time for self-introduction and self-presentation varies depending on the situation, but if the interviewer does not specify otherwise, aim for one minute. In words, it should be about 300 words. If it is too long, you may be perceived as not having the ability to summarize your main points.

Questions and answers about the reasons for changing jobs

After the self-introduction and self-promotion, the next step is a question-and-answer session about the reason for changing jobs. The interviewer will almost certainly ask you questions such as, "Why did you start thinking about changing jobs? So, think about what you are going to say in advance so that you can answer the interviewer's question appropriately.

Many people are dissatisfied with their current or past employers when they begin their job search. The interviewer is well aware of this, so there is no need to make your reasons sound too beautiful.

However, you should avoid emotionally expressing your dissatisfaction with your past workplace. People who only complain about their previous job, such as "I had to work a lot of overtime" or "I didn't have the opportunity for career advancement," will not be liked, so it is essential to explain your reasons for changing jobs in a positive manner.

For example, if you state that "there were limited opportunities for advancement at my previous job," it is important to speak from a constructive perspective, such as "I want to utilize my previous experience in a new environment and further develop my expertise in order to advance my career.

Question and answer session about your reasons for applying

The reason for applying for a job is one of the most frequently asked questions during an interview. Through the applicant's reason for applying, the interviewer is trying to find out "why you have to work for us" and "what you hope to accomplish by joining our company" to determine whether or not you match the personnel the company is looking for.

For this reason, the applicant's motivation must be unique, incorporating elements unique to that company. If you neglect to research the company, your motive will be conventional and lack persuasive power.

Make sure you understand the company's philosophy, culture, and service offerings, clarify how they are different from other companies, and explain how they fit into your career plans.

If you give a motivation that differs from what you have stated in your application, it will be judged inconsistent, so it is important to develop specific episodes based on what you have written in your resume and CV.

Questions and answers about your qualifications, skills, background and achievements

The stage in which you discuss your qualifications, skills, background, and achievements is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your expertise and past accomplishments in detail. Here, it is important to use specific stories and numbers to demonstrate your ability to perform the job and specific past accomplishments. For example, clearly communicate your accomplishments in specific projects, team contributions, and notable personal achievements.

It is also important to explain in detail how your qualifications will help you in your future job and how your skills can contribute to solving the company's problems. By doing so, you can show the interviewer that you have the potential to become an immediate asset to the company.

For example, if you are in the IT industry, you may have experience with a specific programming language or system design; if you are in marketing, you may have examples of successful campaigns or strategies that have delivered results.

However, it is not enough to show off whatever qualifications and skills you have. Of course, qualifications and skills related to the type of job for which you are applying are likely to be of use in the job, and should be actively promoted. On the other hand, qualifications and skills that are not related to the type of job will not be your strength, no matter how much you appeal to them, so there is no particular need to tell them.

Confirmation of conditions from interviewer

The "Confirmation of Terms and Conditions" phase of the interview process may provide an opportunity to discuss compensation and working conditions. While specific adjustments to compensation and benefits are generally made after a job offer is made, it is not uncommon for these topics to be brought up during the interview process.

This is because, especially for applicants with families, conditions such as salary and benefits to support their lives are important factors in the decision-making process, and companies need to understand the specific wishes of applicants.

Specific questions to confirm conditions and benefits include the following
 

• What is your desired annual salary?
• When will you be available to work once you submit your content?
• Is it OK if I have to work about ___ hours of overtime during peak season?

Here, you need to answer these questions while finding the right balance between your own true desires and the conditions the company can offer. For this reason, it is important to clarify your minimum requirements and the extent to which you are willing to compromise before the interview.

It may also be helpful to understand your market value and research industry-standard treatment in preparation for this question.

Reverse Questions to the Interviewer

The "reverse question" in the final stage of the interview is an important opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their interest and enthusiasm for the company and the job. At this time, it is recommended that you ask the hiring manager specific questions about the actual work environment, such as what the job normally entails, the team atmosphere, and growth opportunities.

For example, "What skills do you consider important for success in this position?" or "What are the team's current projects and challenges?" will show that you are ready to take the job seriously.

Questions about the company's culture and values are also effective. Questions such as, "Is there anything the company is doing to make employees feel more engaged and rewarded?" will show that you want to build a long-term career with the company.

When asking questions about compensation and working conditions, it is important to first show that you are interested in the job description and company culture, while communicating that these are important factors in your final decision. This will convey your enthusiasm not only for the salary and working conditions, but also for the job itself and the company.

In addition, "Nothing in particular" is not a good image to project at the time of a follow-up question, so be prepared to ask three questions to convey your enthusiasm.

From here, we will explain interview etiquette in terms of time, personal belongings, appearance, and language. These are all basic manners for working adults, so be sure to keep these points in mind to ensure the success of your job search.

Manners for time

Punctuality is a basic manner for working adults and is also an important point in job interviews. Since punctuality is an indicator of one's sense of responsibility and approach to work, being late is strictly prohibited to avoid giving the interviewer a negative impression.

Generally speaking, it is best to arrive near the company about 15 minutes before the interview time and to register five minutes before. Arriving too early should also be avoided, but it is wise to leave well in advance in case of unexpected situations such as transportation delays.

If you cannot avoid being late due to unavoidable circumstances, call the company as soon as possible, explain the situation, and apologize. At this time, it is important to be honest about the reason for your tardiness and show your sincerity.

On the other hand, for a web interview, it is basic to enter the room five minutes before the start of the interview and stand by. However, with web interviews, depending on the communication environment, your voice may be cut off or the screen may stop. Also, the screen may become dark unless you are creative with lighting. Use online tools beforehand to make sure that the interview tools are working properly and that you know how your environment will appear.

Manners regarding personal belongings

The minimum items you will need to bring to the interview are your resume, curriculum vitae, and, if necessary, documentation of your qualifications and accomplishments. Bring these documents in a clean and organized manner and in an appropriate folder or envelope.

If you have a portfolio or artifacts that can demonstrate your accomplishments, we also recommend that you bring them. These documents may be referred to by the interviewer when digging deeper into the question, so it is a good idea to be prepared.

Manners regarding personal appearance

Your appearance during an interview can greatly affect your first impression. Dress should be clean and formal for the position.

Hair should be neatly coiffed and accessories should be modest. It is also important to avoid the use of perfume or cologne and maintain a natural clean look. Shoes should also be polished to give the impression of attention to detail.

To make a good first impression on the interviewer, pay special attention to your appearance.

Manners regarding the use of language

Be aware that no matter how good you say something, if you use bad language, that alone will result in a negative evaluation. Below is a list of commonly misused expressions and correct words.
 

Also, a surprisingly large number of people unconsciously say "yes, yes, yes" or "um-hum-hum" in rapid succession when giving responses, but this is considered rude to the other person and should be refrained from.

Basically, nodding silently while the interviewer is speaking is the best way to avoid interrupting the conversation. If you want to show your agreement or sympathy with what the interviewer is saying, use words such as "yes," "yeah," or "I see," as appropriate, to show that you are listening carefully.

It is especially important to be aware of the following three points in advance of the interview.
 

• Understand the type of person the company is looking for from the job posting or company website.
• Clarify your career vision
• Remember what you wrote in your application.

We will explain in detail below.

Understand the type of person you are looking for from job openings and your company's website.

Job postings and company websites provide clues about the company's values and what the company values.

By properly researching the company prior to the interview and understanding the type of person they are looking for and the skill set they require, you will be better able to explain how your experience and skills match the company's needs during the interview.

Clarify your own career vision.

In interviews, interviewers are often asked questions not only about past experience and accomplishments, but also about the future: three, five, or ten years from now. The interviewer may ask, "Where do you want to be in five years?" What are some of the challenges you would like to take on in the future? and "What challenges do you want to take on in the future?" The interviewer wants to know how the applicant wants to grow and how he/she can contribute to the company in the future.

Therefore, it is important to clarify your career vision before the interview and prepare to effectively appeal the following three points.
 

• Have goals and visions for the future
• Willingness to work hard to achieve your goals
• Alignment of your career vision with the company's business and vision.

However, some people may find it difficult to formulate a career vision when they start to think about it. If this is the case, first take a detailed look back at your career to date.

Objectively organize what kind of work you have experienced, the moments when you felt most fulfilled, and what you value in your daily work. By doing so, it will be easier to visualize your ideal image of the future, such as "What kind of position do I want to hold?

Once you have organized your past and have an ideal image of your future, you will be able to clarify the skills, experience, and qualifications that you currently lack, and you will be able to formulate a concrete action plan for your future.

In this way, it is also important to take the time to face yourself and develop a career vision before you go for an interview.

Remember what you wrote in your application

The information you include in your resume or CV will often be explored in depth during the interview process. Therefore, it is important to be able to explain the experiences and accomplishments mentioned there with specific figures and results.

In particular, since the reason for applying for the job is likely to be probed in depth, it will be more convincing if you can talk about specific experiences and episodes that you were unable to write about in the limited space in your resume.

If the information in your application does not match your verbal explanation, it may not be consistent and may undermine your credibility. Be prepared to explain the background and details of the application with an accurate understanding of what is written.

There are five main points that are important for a successful interview
 

• Understand the content of the question
• Summarize the main points and speak from the conclusion
• Speak concretely, not abstractly
• Speak slowly and without rushing
• Look the person in the eye when speaking

Check each of these points one by one.

Know exactly what questions to ask.

As a matter of course, you must understand exactly what the interviewer is asking and answer accurately. At first glance, this may seem simple, but under pressure or tension, it is common to lose sight of the intent of the interviewer's questions and give the answers that you have prepared in advance.

However, this is not a good way to provide information that the interviewer really wants to know, and in the worst case scenario, it may give a negative impression of you as a person who does not communicate well. In particular, since communication skills are necessary for the job, one of the most important points to consider is whether or not you can hold a conversation while understanding the intent of the other person's questions.

In order to avoid confusing the interviewer by answering off-target, do not be in a hurry and respond calmly. To do this, it is important to first listen carefully to the interviewer's question and accurately grasp the intent of the question before you begin speaking.

If you still do not understand the intent of the question, say, "I am sorry. If you cannot understand the intent of the question, you may ask, "I'm sorry, but would you mind if I answer specifically about ________?

Some people remain silent and wait for the interviewer to help them out, but this is like saying to yourself, "I lack the ability to deal with the problem," which can make a very bad impression.

Summarize the main points and speak from the conclusion.

The time allotted to each of you for an interview is limited. Therefore, whether or not you can summarize what you want to say and express your own opinions in a concise and clear manner is an important part of the interview that can affect whether you pass or fail.

Even if the content is the same, the way you speak can make a big difference in how it is conveyed to the other person. Therefore, instead of rambling on and on about what you want to say, focus on the main points and speak from the conclusion.

The trick to speaking is to summarize in the order of "conclusion, reasons, and specific examples. People tend to remember the first information they hear, so by starting with the conclusion, you make it easier for the interviewer to understand what you have to say. After stating the conclusion, adding reasons and specific episodes will make your answer more persuasive.

Talk concretely, not abstractly.

The interviewer wants to understand your experience and abilities through concrete examples. Therefore, avoid abstract expressions and use concrete examples based on real experiences.

It is also effective to talk not only about your successes, but also about your growth process, such as what you learned from your failures. Concrete examples will make your story more persuasive and give a good impression to the interviewer.

speak slowly and without hesitation

It is also important to speak slowly and without rushing during the interview. If you speak too quickly, there is a possibility that the interviewer will not be able to hear what you are saying, and you may be judged as someone who is "restless" or "difficult to communicate with.

When you are nervous or asked an unexpected question, you tend to become impatient and speak quickly, but the more calm you are in such situations, the more important it is to respond calmly.

If you tend to talk too fast, practice speaking slowly and record a mock interview before the interview. It is especially important to understand that in online interviews, it is more difficult to be heard than in person due to the audio environment, so it is important to be conscious of speaking at a speed that is easy for the interviewer to understand.

look the other person in the eye when speaking

Although it is the most basic form of communication, it is important to look the other person in the eye during the interview. This conveys trust and sincerity to the other person. Also, by looking them in the eye, you can act as if you are confident.

However, if you fix your gaze too much, it may seem unnatural, so keep in mind that you should only move your eyes naturally.

Careful preparation is essential to success in an interview. The extent to which you have thoroughly prepared in advance will greatly affect the outcome, good or bad.

Of course, advance preparation does not always guarantee success, but it can bring you one step closer to success. Therefore, before the interview, carefully prepare in advance and calmly take on the interview.

At United World Inc., our dedicated career advisors work closely with each and every one of our candidates to support them in their job search. After carefully listening to your detailed requirements and career plans, we will introduce you to the best job opportunities that suit you best, so please feel free to contact us if you want to change jobs efficiently.

United World
Consult with us about your new job.