How to prepare well for a job interview?

The interview is a decisive step in the job search. It's the moment when, after an initial selection made at least on the basis of your CV, you will meet one or more representatives of the company.

For the company:
The interview allows the company to get to know you better on a professional level and to assess how your career path fits its needs.

For the candidate :
The interview allows you to better understand the characteristics of the position to be filled and the suitability of this position to your strengths and your career objectives.

For you and the company :
The interview finally allows both parties to make a subjective judgment on the affinity of the personalities and their desire to work together.

The interview, an exchange of information:
During an interview, the recruiter introduces the candidate to the company, the position, and its characteristics. The candidate provides information about their education, experience, and aspirations. The interview can be directive or non‑directive. Most often, it takes place face‑to‑face, but can sometimes be group. It generally lasts between 20 and 60 minutes.

The interlocutor:
The recruiter will want to discover the underlying motivations behind your application, but also to understand your working methods, discover your expertise, your professional projects, your organizational skills, and your ability to argue and defend a project. There are different types of interviewers who have specific approaches, methods, and objectives. You must therefore know who will be meeting with you each time:

• Senior Consultant
• Junior Consultant
• Consultant specializing in a field

Know that whatever the format and the interlocutor, the goal is to gain enough confidence for you to reveal who you are.

Interview Preparation: First, it's essential to clarify your motivations and career plans. We recommend candidates bring a number of essential documents to the interview.

• A photocopy: Of the last three pay slips
• From the annual cumulative income (salaries and bonuses)
• Driving license
• From the professional card
• Diplomas
• Work certificates

Consultants note that one in five cases, the candidate has not made copies, which forces them to do it on site, resulting in a waste of time and a weakened professional image.

Conversely, some candidates present a complete and orderly "book", retracing their professional career, their figures as well as their results.

This is a strong point for the applicant because it gives a real impression of documenting and enhancing their application. Furthermore, the care taken with the quality of the photocopies, as well as the transparency of the document, gives a very positive impression. The first impression is an aspect of the interview that should not be overlooked.

When it comes to a last‑minute call (candidate passing through the region), consultants are more tolerant.

All personal information provided is of course confidential, the candidate does not have to worry about what will happen to their information.

It's important to practice presenting your career path, without learning it by heart, while still using convincing arguments. It's strongly recommended to draw up a list of questions that will allow the candidate to fully understand the position. This will show your interest in the position and the company, and you'll have the opportunity to actively participate in the interview. Don't ask questions that relate to general knowledge of the job and the company: you'll be admitting that you haven't bothered to find out more.

All of these attitudes prove that the applicant has thought about the interview and is genuinely interested in the position.

A detail that also helps to build the image you convey: remember to be careful with strong odors or perfumes...

Dress Code and Presentation: Dress code is very important, even decisive, during the interview... It's the first thing people see about you. Dress appropriately without appearing strict. Be understated.

Arrival:
Being punctual is an essential quality. You must study your route and estimate the travel time in order to arrive on the day of the interview 5 to 10 minutes early, but no more. An unannounced delay is very frowned upon; simply giving notice demonstrates the candidate's professionalism (if they do it for an interview, they will do it for a client).

Physical attitude:
Physical attitude is very noticeable, body posture, gestures and their rhythm, all these elements transmit many messages that can be interpreted. Be natural by adopting an open posture in which you feel comfortable and in a positive state of mind. It is advisable to always keep your notions of distance and space specific to each person. Consultants notice more and more candidates entering their "territory" by trying to impose themselves in their office. The physical attitude of the candidate must be in phase with his speech, e.g.: do not pretend to be open‑minded if you keep your arms crossed throughout the interview.

The climate of the interview :
The consultant largely directs the interview, he will ask the questions first. The candidate should under no circumstances impose himself during the first few minutes. The consultant begins by asking the candidate to introduce himself, his training and his professional background. Then come questions about his personality, his values, his aspirations; what he is looking for in the company, what he expects from his superiors, what his reactions are in terms of management, his hobbies, what he likes, what he does not like. All these questions tend to establish an open interview (the candidate should under no circumstances try to impose himself during the first few minutes). Listening and attention are imperative, they demonstrate your motivation and give an idea of your behavior when dealing with a client. The presentation of yourself must be concise without taking the form of an argument.

The first minutes:
During the first few minutes of the interview, the candidate must be able to listen to the consultant who will present the firm or company and the interview plan. From the outset, participate in establishing a climate of trust that will relax both the interviewer and yourself. To do this, be both smiling and attentive. The candidate should not hesitate to slip in a positive sentence about the environment or the welcome. This "friendly parade" helps establish a calm discussion devoid of aggression on either side. In summary, the candidate should not be in a position of waiting or withdrawal; they should appear motivated, active, and concerned.

During the interview :
First of all, it's important to maintain a professional and consistent attitude throughout the interview. Once again, preparation is key; it's not enough to just quote, you have to argue. When a candidate presents their figures, the consultant analyzes both their results and their comments. The consultant mainly notes the candidate's communication skills and level of expression. The candidate should never criticize their current company. It's important to maintain a positive attitude. During the interview, you will be evaluated according to various criteria:

* Your studies, your training (basic, additional)

* Your personality (dynamism, motivation)

* Your communication skills (analysis, argumentation)

* Your various skills for the position (presentation, general knowledge, hobbies, IT, etc.)

Clarity of speech :
This quality is essential, especially for medical sales representatives, as elocution is a key factor. The recruiter often puts himself in the client's shoes and can therefore remember how the candidate will address the doctor. The consultant may be required to see several applicants in the same day; only the most striking elements will be retained, such as a medical sales representative and his product in front of a doctor. Following an open question, the consultant notes the candidate's preparation for the interview. The recruiter appreciates a structured and coherent speech.

Language tics:
Speech tics can betray certain aspects of personality. Repeating "I, me, my, my…" for example, reveals deep egocentrism or an overly high self‑image. These words, sometimes considered parasitic, are noticed during the interview. It is advisable to restrain these expressions in front of the interviewer. The consultant will be more tolerant of a recent graduate than of an experienced candidate. The consultant pays attention to the cultural level of the applicant as well as their general level of expression and vocabulary adapted to the situation.

The whites:
There are some very simple phrases to fill in any gaps in the speech, such as "I'm pleased to meet you," because the consultant may be waiting for a reaction from the candidate. It is desirable not to allow a lasting "gap" to develop in the dialogue.

Self‑control:
To stay calm, you need to put the situation and circumstances into perspective; it might be a good idea to take a few deep breaths. If the candidate is truly worried or stressed, it's better to say so and show it than to hide it poorly.

Salary:
The topic of salary is usually addressed before the interview, in order to be in tune with the interviewer. The consultant then discusses the candidate's current salary level and what they want to achieve in the new position. The applicant must assess their skills and requirements in order to qualify for a salary that matches their expectations.

Conclusion :
The consultant will give the procedure to follow but it is preferable that the candidate takes the lead, he will thus show motivation and interest in the future position.

Some questions to ask the recruiter:

• How many candidates are currently in the competition?
• How long will it take to make a decision?

Generally, all questions are good to ask in the right context. On the other hand, detailed questions may seem uninteresting (the model and color of the company car? Is there a mobility clause in a salesperson's employment contract?) The candidate should ask their questions based on the recruiter, knowing that they are not necessarily informed about the company's details.

Bounce back:
Having a quick wit can be a plus during the interview, knowing how to bounce back from a subject shows a certain dynamic and combative personality that the consultant will notice. This is about standing out. A consultant may be led to highlight a negative point in your application, you must be able to transform this remark into a relative or positive point. Do not let yourself get down after a few reflections, on the contrary, finding other advantages and arguing will express your perseverance. When a consultant addresses a particular subject, it is up to you to keep the thread of the dialogue and possibly anticipate the theme towards which he directs you. Good anticipation is similar to a good presentation, it is knowing how to highlight the key points of your background.

Mistakes to avoid during the interview:

• Not being clear about one's motives
• Waste the recruiter's time: Avoid unnecessary questions
• Lack of preparation for the interview
• Being poorly informed about the activities of the company that is hiring you
• Lack of nuances
• To reveal contradictions
• Lacking enthusiasm, being passive, indifferent, negative
• Being presumptuous and aggressive
• Trying to "bluff" your interlocutor
• Appearing hesitant and not knowing your CV inside out