Acing Your Job Interview by Christine Buguina

When applying for a job, your success heavily relies on how good you do in the interview. What do recruiters and hiring managers look for? Do you really have to attend tens or hundreds of interviews to get it right? Does “practice makes perfect” really apply?
There are many things to consider before going for an interview. First, you should know what kind of interview you’ll be attending. Is it a face-to-face, phone, or Skype interview; a one-on-one or a panel interview? The next thing to consider is the interviewer —this is important because you can expect that some of the interviewer’s questions would depend on his/her role in the company. Third is attire — it is always better to overdress than to underdress. But if you really want to make sure, don’t be shy to ask what you should wear for the interview.


Fortunately, I learned five more tips to ace job interviews, which Ms. Stephanie Balois-Guerrero shared during her talk at the FCC x MAP Women Expo and Forum “Inspired Conversations: Nothing Left Unsaid.”
Know Yourself
Know your resume by heart. Write your own resume or, if you are to ask for someone’s help, make sure that all the details are factual. Don’t claim to be an expert of skills you don’t have mastery over. Choose your anecdotes wisely; do not dig your own grave by sharing unnecessary experiences. Lastly, be self-aware. Know your strengths and weaknesses, your likes and dislikes, your preference when it comes to being managed, and your style when it comes to managing others.
Know the Company and the Role
Do your research about the company. Ask around — you might know someone who works or has worked there and ask them for feedback. Dress in accordance to the company’s culture. Familiarize yourself with the company’s values and ask yourself whether these values mirror your own.
Be a STAR
During the interview itself, follow the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Results) when answering situational questions.
Situation — What was the challenge?
Task — What were you trying to achieve?
Action — What did you do?
Result — What was the outcome of your action?
This way, your interviewer will get all the important information at once and you don’t have to worry about going around in circles.
Be Ready with Your Questions
Now is your opportunity to know more about the role and the company! Ask more details about the role, especially if things are unclear. Ask about mentorship programs and benefits, as well as the company’s culture. Make sure, though, that you’re not asking about something that was already discussed by the interviewer because it would mean that you weren’t listening.
Practice! Practice! Practice!
Indeed, practice makes perfect! Practice to keep answers short and concise. Practice to shake off nervousness. You can practice alone or with a friend, whichever works for you. Remember, the interviewer can always tell if you came well prepared.
Happy job hunting!
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About the author:
Christine studied Interdisciplinary Business Studies at De La Salle University, and Human Resource Management at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

