How to Ace Your Interview? Impress Your Interviewers Immediately!

Written by Mena M. Ismail 

From my days of getting interviewed by multiple clients to my days of working in talent acquisition, development, and management and freelancing as a recruiter, I have noticed that the hardest part about landing a job is the interview. With several data collected from different interviews, I managed to point out what were the points that interviewees failed to present, questions which made them nervous and lose focus, reasons for rejections.

In this article, I will present to you some tips that you can exploit to boost your acceptance rate and land your dream job (+ BONUS questions commonly asked in interviews; you WILL be asked at least two of the questions mentioned here).

As the area of my expertise is related to hiring for language-related companies. The examples given below are related to vacancies for translators, transcribers, language tutors/teachers, customer support advisors, social media marketers…etc. BUT can be applicable to all fields if you slightly modify the context.

Introducing yourself:

• Make sure you mention your first and last name, relevant work experience, and any additional information you'd like to give us like your hobbies, certifications and qualifications, why you'd like to work in this field, and what you know about customer service (Why? These items will help us get to know you more and assess your language fluency)

• Make sure your voice recording is at least 3 minutes (Why? It will help in better and fair assessment)

• Tip 1: You can arrange the points you will speak about in your self-introduction and use the pause button in each section (Remember! It is much better to show self-confidence, so avoid words like "umm, uhh_ etc." or Arabic word-breakers like “Ya’ni, asdy, ya etc.") or Japanese word-breakers like (えっと､あのさ) or similarly in any language you currently speak or applying for. 

• Tip 2: Make bullet points of the info you will speak about in your self-introduction as it will be needed again in Phone interview and video/in-person interview. (Remember! It is always best to be prepared and note down all possible questions you'll be asked and the answers to it.)

DON'TS:

1.  Avoid fake accent; don't make up an accent.

You also don't have to have a native accent. All what is important is to have a clear understandable Language (whether it’s a Slavic language, Celtic language, Asian language, Arabic or Persian language..etc.) with proper and clear pronunciation of words.

2.  Do not exaggerate your vowels; make sure your words are clear; do not press over vowels like e and i

3.  Avoid Lisps, please be aware of the pronunciation of: TH (do not pronounce it like Z), T (make sure it's heard when speaking), D Do not make it sound like a T), R (avoid rolling R sound (Arabic/Italian R), proper S sound

4.  Please use correct English phonics when moving between words especially when a word ends with consonant and the following one starts with consonant. (Ex: Travelling Gate (you would surely be pronouncing it as in travellingate without splitting letter 'g' twice..etc.) (proper phonics))

5.  Avoid any grammar mistakes as this is one of the fundamentals

6.  Don't sound monotonous or robotic as if you're reading, it's better to use a conversational friendly tone, but do not use interjections like umm, you know, yeah right..etc. but act natural.

• Note: Anxiety can cause tongue twisters or some blunders, but when you do, take a deep breath and make sure you're prepared and immediately correct yourself when you make a mistake (this shows your confidence and that any blunder you make is due to anxiety).

• My advice: If you are new in the translation industry or customer service field, don't worry and don't be overwhelmed as it is a great field you can exploit to develop your soft skills. It is not necessary to have all the skills required or to be sociable with excellent communication skills. We all start somewhere, so don't worry about it, but trust and expect that your communication skills, creative and analytical thinking skills, and handling skills.

• Benefits: You will also lear many things in surrounding this field: technical use of assisting tools, how telecommunication companies work, legalities involved, data handling and analysis, resource management, quality assurance and control through relevant assessment and analysis. etc. Hence, you will have many roads and opportunities open for you with us and in your future journey later on.

• Furthermore, you can change your fieldwork and department within the company with the relevant knowledge you’ve learnt too whenever there is a vacancy. (Why is it a good thing? Because you can develop your Résume, grow your career within the company and outside the company, and maybe pick up on a hidden talent you didn't know you had before!)

  
  

  After all, with all frank honesty, you want to work to grow your career and make some good money. The more open opportunities and the more career growth you have the more chances and opportunities you have in life and that includes great financial opportunities too. It’s all about seizing the chance and hardworking.

Preparing for your interview:

Types of interviews: 

1. Phone call interview
2. Video call interview
3. In-person interview (face-to-face)

The common between them is what we will speak about today and that excludes the visual factor involved in video call interview and in-person interview.

What is a visual factor?

It is the additional touches you have to place in addition to your preparation, fluency, knowledge and information in order to impress and build a strong first-impression on your interviewer. You, the interviewee, should always dress appropriately, look presentable. If you where to appear on TV news, what type of clothing would you wear? What sort of make up would you put on? How would you shave your beard? How would you style your hair? For me, in my own opinion, l'd love wearing  semi-formal clothing at interviews as if you were a student. At the end of the day, you are being examined verbally by the interviewer to know how you'd react, your style of work, your personality and behavior, your dedication and sense of responsibility, and the quality of work you provide and knowledge you have.

• Make sure you're confident and comfortable with your appearance. And most importantly, don't let yourself get overwhelmed about your appearance, trying to impress, or presentability.
• We intend to impress but aim at acing the interview, which is the critical part of our acceptance process into the company we are getting interviewed at.
• Plus, when it comes to in-person interviews, don't forget basic etiquettes like knocking on the door and asking for permission to sit...etc. as this tells a lot about your personality and behavior and increases your chance of building a great first impression on your interviewers. 
• Of course, let’s not forget to address people by titles in a room with more than one person, especially your interviewers. In English, we use Mr, Miss, or Mrs, Professor, Dr, as the commonly used titles. Depending on where your interview is, in some Asian countries, interviewers pay attention to the usage of titles especially in languages that use third-person reference as their pronouns.
• Please bear in mind that your interviewer can be young or old, can be a native or foreigner, can be one person or more than one person, can be an HR, someone with less seniority in the company or a higher seniority. Hence set your expectations right, be flexible to changes even if you're not accommodated to it, don't let this surprise your or overwhelm you and never let it affect your confidence. You might be the type of person who panics or gets nervous, but as soon as you feel that, imagine yourself after being accepted, what would you be feeling and how wide would you be smiling? Think positive, attract positive.

Core:

Our core here is the essence of the interview itself, or in other words, to be 101% prepared.

Hence, I have prepared for you a couple of questions that you are expected to be asked during an interview. Your conversation can be friendly during an interview hence it might deviate from these topic, but don't take it for granted and focus that you're still getting examined. Any deviations and exceptions from the topics I will be mentioning today, will be naturally and totally conversational dependent and depends on the setting/role at the company, yet it is the 15%-20% of the interview itself, so let's ace the rest!

Acing the rest means you need to be FULLY prepared to what comes to your way! 

Here is a list of the common questions that are asked in most interviews. You WILL be asked at least 2 of those in the list below! You MUST prepare answers to the questions below to make sure you’re acing the interview you’re interring and note down the points you’ll impress your interviewers with while answering them. For that, I have prepared for you a couple of marvelous examples to use as reference while preparing your answers for your interview! Remember most interviewers can give you a period to adjust and re-do the interview but not all can always be as generous! Hence, remember to ask your interviewer or HR to give you a detailed feedback so that you can improve yourself and polish your performance before getting another interview whether at the same firm or another one.

1. Introduce yourself. (Explained above)
2. Why do you think you fit for this job?
3. How will you handle an angry customer who is shouting and refuses to listen or swearing?
4. What is your favorite movie/book and why?
5. Why do you want to work with us/our company?
6. Tell me about your previous work experience and did you enjoy what you were doing?
7. Tell me about your goals/dreams.
8. Why do you think we should hire you?
9. How do you handle constructive criticism?
10. What are your salary expectations?
11. Describe a challenge you faced at work and how you overcame it.
12. Can you discuss a successful project you completed and your role in it?
13. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?
14. Can you walk me through your resume?
15. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
16. What do you know about our company?
17. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
18. Why are you interested in this position/company?
19. Can you describe your work style?
20. Do you have any questions for us?

As you can see here, most of them are unrelated to the position or the business itself. That is because (Yup you guessed it right!) you are asked these to verify your fluency, pronunciation, spoken language, soft skills, expression of words and emotions. All of these are factors that matter!

Here are a couple of examples structured to answer some of the questions above:

1. Why do you think you fit for this job?

   • - Experience: I have relevant experience in [specific field/industry].
   • - Skills: My skills in [relevant skills] align perfectly with the job requirements.
   • - Passion: I am genuinely passionate about [specific aspect of the job] and eager to contribute.

2. How will you handle an angry customer who is shouting and refuses to listen or swearing?

   • - Remain Calm: I will remain calm and composed, ensuring I don't escalate the situation.
   • - Active Listening: I will actively listen to the customer's concerns and empathize with their frustrations.
   • - Solution-Oriented: I will focus on finding a solution to address their issue and reassure them that their problem will be resolved.

3. What is your favorite movie/book and why?

   • - Movie/Book Title: [Title of movie/book]
   • - Reason: I love it because [reason, e.g., captivating storyline, relatable characters, thought-provoking themes].
   • - Impact: It has had a profound impact on me by [impact, e.g., inspiring me to pursue my dreams, shaping my perspective on life].

4. Why do you want to work with us/our company?

   • - Company Values: I admire your company's commitment to [specific value, e.g., innovation, sustainability].
   • - Reputation: Your company has a stellar reputation in the industry for [positive aspect, e.g., quality products, excellent customer service].
   • - Growth Opportunities: I see great potential for personal and professional growth within your company.

5. Tell me about your previous work experience and did you enjoy what you were doing?

   • - Previous Work: I worked at [company] as a [position] where I [brief description of responsibilities].
   • - Enjoyment: I enjoyed [specific aspect of the job, e.g., collaborating with colleagues, solving challenging problems].
   • - Learning Experience: It provided me with valuable experience in [specific skills or industry knowledge].

6. Tell me about your goals/dreams.

   • - Career Goals: My goal is to [specific career goal, e.g., advance to a managerial position, become an expert in my field].
   • - Personal Development: I aspire to continuously learn and grow both personally and professionally.
   • - Contribution: Ultimately, I want to make a meaningful contribution to [industry, company, or cause].

7. Why do you think we should hire you?

   • - Value Proposition: I bring [specific skills, experiences, or qualities] that directly align with the needs of the role.
   • - Results-Oriented: I have a proven track record of [achievements or accomplishments relevant to the job].
   • - Team Fit: I am confident that I would seamlessly integrate into the team and contribute positively to the company culture.

8. How do you handle constructive criticism?

   • - Open-mindedness: I approach constructive criticism with an open mind, seeing it as an opportunity for growth.
   • - Reflective: I take time to reflect on the feedback and identify areas where I can improve.
   • - Action-Oriented: I proactively work on implementing the feedback and continuously strive to better myself.

9. What are your salary expectations?

   • - Research: Based on my research and market standards, I am expecting a salary range of [specific range].
   • - Negotiable: I am open to discussing the salary package and am more focused on finding the right fit for both parties.
   • - Total Compensation: Along with salary, I also consider other aspects of the compensation package such as benefits and opportunities for advancement.

10. Describe a challenge you faced at work and how you overcame it.

    • - Challenge: I encountered [specific challenge, e.g., tight deadline, communication breakdown].
    • - Approach: I addressed the challenge by [specific actions taken, e.g., prioritizing tasks, initiating clear communication channels].
    • - Outcome: As a result, I was able to successfully overcome the challenge and [outcome, e.g., meet the deadline, improve team dynamics].

11. Can you discuss a successful project you completed and your role in it?

    • - Project Description: I worked on [project name], which involved [brief description of the project goals and scope].
    • - Role: My role was to [describe your specific responsibilities and contributions].
    • - Achievements: Through effective collaboration and diligent work, we were able to [specific achievements, e.g., meet project milestones, exceed client expectations].

12. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?

    • - Time Management: I prioritize tasks and manage my time effectively to ensure deadlines are met.
    • - Stress Management Techniques: I practice techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness to stay calm under pressure.
    • - Problem-Solving: I break down complex problems into smaller, manageable tasks and focus on finding solutions.

13. Can you walk me through your resume?

    • - Education: I completed my education at [name of institution] where I studied [field of study].
    • - Work Experience: I have worked at [previous companies] in roles such as [positions held] where I gained experience in [relevant skills].
    • - Skills: My skills include [list of relevant skills, e.g., technical skills, soft skills].

14. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

    • - Strengths: Some of my strengths include [list of strengths, e.g., strong communication skills, attention to detail, ability to work well in a team].
    • - Weaknesses: One of my weaknesses is [identify a genuine weakness] but I am actively working on improving it by [specific actions you're taking to address the weakness].

15. What do you know about our company?

    • - Company Background: Your company was founded in [year] and is known for [brief description of company history and core values].
    • - Products/Services: You specialize in [describe products or services offered] and have a strong presence in [relevant industry or market].
    • - Recent Achievements: I also noticed that your company recently [mention any recent news, awards, or achievements].

16. Why are you interested in this position/company?

    • - Alignment: I am drawn to this position because it aligns perfectly with my skills and career goals.
    • - Company Culture: I am impressed by your company's culture of [mention specific aspects of the company culture, e.g., innovation, diversity].
    • - Opportunities for Growth: I see great potential for growth and development within your company, and I am eager to be a part of that journey.

17. Can you describe your work style?

    • - Collaboration: I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy working closely with colleagues to achieve common goals.
    • - Adaptability: I am adaptable and can quickly adjust to changing priorities or environments.
    • - Attention to Detail: I pay close attention to detail to ensure high-quality work and minimize errors.

18. Do you have any questions for us?

    • - Company Culture: Can you tell me more about the company culture and what it's like to work here?
    • - Growth Opportunities: What opportunities are there for professional development and advancement within the company?
    • - Team Dynamics: How would you describe the team dynamic within the department I would be joining?

The last one here is very important as you need to come off as a professional, genuinely interested, and a meticulous person. Replying with a simple no may come off as if you’re just careless and there to give it a shot.

Now what’s left is to have a good sleep, healthy dinner, and a healthier breakfast. The least thing you want is a toilet break at the middle of an interview or a grumpy stomach! Headaches are big monsters too, so make sure you have some paracetamol pills with you in case stress takes over. And remind yourself you’re always a winner!

Congratulations in advance on getting accepted!

Stay safe💛