The FINANCIAL — Knowledge, motivation, demonstration of the individual and honesty are named the major characteristics by Key company HRs when choosing a candidate during a job interview.
“To be successful in a job interview an individual should demonstrate his/her educational background and work experience as well as possessed skills. Moreover, relevant work experience, and personal abilities such as being a team player, and responsibility are most prized,” said Ana Tikaradze, Human Resource Manager at Bank Republic, Societe Generale Group.
“I believe that people should do what they can do to the best of their ability, i.e. at the stage of high school graduation, students should make careful and correct decisions concerning their chosen professions. If an individual has enough skills for a particular job, loves it and gives him/her enough satisfaction in return, that means the person is correctly suited to the job.
Therefore the person’s motivation will be higher and allow them to answer all questions honestly, openly and speak about their real objectives, abilities, likes and dislikes. This will give a potential employer the opportunity to make a correct assessment of the individual based on correct information,” declared Nino Kiladze, HR Manager at Adress.
“The criteria most prized depend on the job. For example, financial managers do not need to be negotiators whereas sales managers should be. However openness, honesty and a calm exterior are positive characteristics to display in any interview,” added Kiladze.
Ekaterine Lomidze, HR Manager of Radisson BLU Iveria believes that during job interviews individuals should be honest, serious and should show responsibility towards the job.
Davit Kipiani, HR Manager of Marriott Hotels Tbilisi notes several criteria for being successful in a job interview such as: being prepared for the interview, knowing the job the individual is applying for, being ready for the interview, being able to give specific examples of previous experience, using proper language as well as not criticizing any previous employer.
“To be a successful candidate for a job interview a person should be active, able to show their knowledge and skills, but above all – be natural.
Obviously, preference is given to a person with relevant job experience and education. Candidates who are prepared for the job interview are generally more successful. Preparation for an interview includes coming to the interview on time, appropriate clothing, and good understanding of the position and company. Successful applicants normally try to research information about the company and its activity before the interview,” declared the HR Department of MFO Credo LLC.
“What’s the best way to prepare for an interview? It’s important to remember that you won’t know what type of interview will take place until you are sitting in the interview room. So, prepare answers to traditional interview questions instead,” said Nino Kurtanidze, HR Specialist at Nikora.
“Since you don’t know exactly what situations you will be asked about if it’s a behavioral interview, refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You may be able to use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times when you have successfully solved problems or performed memorably. The stories will be useful to help you respond meaningfully.
Finally, review the job description, if you have it, you may be able to get a sense of what skills and behavioural characteristics the employer is seeking from reading the job description and position requirements,” added Kurtanidze.
“The interest and awareness of the individual towards the job he/she applies for is of great importance. There are many cases of CVs being sent en masse, which demonstrates that the individual is not motivated to work at Radisson BLU Iveria specifically, but is just seeking work in general.
When the candidate comes knows about us and our history we guess they are already interested in us specifically. Consequently there is a bigger chance they will be more loyal and consequently pay greater attention to the job in question,” declared Lomidze, Radisson BLU Iveria.
Kipiani admits that knowledge of the company’s history is a plus and knowledge of essential requirements of the job is a tremendous plus as well.
“Your preparation shouldn’t stop at your wardrobe. Never walk into an interview without at least a working knowledge of the company, its products and its industry.
An interviewer will often ask, 'What do you know about our business, firm, company, etc.?
If the candidate stares blankly or gives a very broad answer, they already have an uphill battle to win the enthusiasm and support of their interviewer.
The night before the interview, visit the company’s website and pore over its financial statements, press releases and corporate mission,” said Kurtanidze.
Body language, dress code and appearance also play great importance in choosing a candidate.
“A person should be dressed as the business demands, body language should be relaxed and positive. Moreover, appearance and body language play a very important role,” declared Kipiani.
Tikaradze, Bank Republic, says that is a candidate is enquiring after a bank position, they should be dressed in a professional way as there is a strong dress code at banks and candidates should demonstrate that she/he is able to respect the dress code.
“If punctuality is important, dressing appropriately is downright crucial. Hiring managers often complain that candidates come to interviews dressed in T-shirts, jeans and flip-flops.
If you find that a company’s dress code is business casual, for example, then plan to wear a dress, slacks or a skirt and blouse, if the company code is casual, plan to dress at a business-casual level — which may mean khakis or other comfortable slacks or skirts paired with proper shirts.”
If you have any doubt about what clothing is appropriate, wear a suit. And remember: When taking care of your appearance is a good thing, vanity can work against you.
Even if you say all the right things, your body language can send the wrong message.
Tapping your pen and fiddling with papers signals to the employer that you are nervous. Slouching and leaning back indicate disinterest,” says Kurtanidze.
At the HR department of Credo they say that much attention is paid to the body language of the applicant. The most important and tricky part of a job interview is to find out the actual personality and positive qualities of an applicant in a limited amount of time. Some applicants are too shy to express themselves, while others are the opposite. A good interviewer should always keep the balance: cheer up a shy applicant and ground an overly active one by asking serious questions.
Kurtanidze, Nikora, gives the following techniques to help individuals conduct a successful interview:
“Pay attention/listen carefully – listening cannot be stressed enough. However, be aware that you may be revealing your immediate impression through your gestures, expressions and actions. Be certain not to let negative reactions become obvious to the interviewer.
Echoing – echoing can be used to encourage a candidate to elaborate on a topic. It is useful because you get additional information without asking direct or probing questions. The echo technique avoids the appearance of cross-examination; it prods the candidate into disclosing more specific information without making him or her uncomfortable,” declared Kurtanidze.
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