“Going to an interview is not just about showing up and being done with it, but it is an entire process of preparation,” shared Mr. Vo Minh Tuan – HR Director of Sieu Viet Human Resources Joint Stock Company
As a webinar part of the event series under the HUFLIT Online Career 2021 program, “The Formula for Interview Success” was a topic that drew significant interest from the HUFLIT student community, with over 700 participants registering and attending throughout the session.
According to Mr. Vo Minh Tuan, a job interview is a long process that requires students to invest time and effort right from the very first steps. Among them, the job-seeking journey is divided into three stages: Before, During, and After the interview day.
Before the interview day
Although an interview typically lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour, preparation time is crucial to having a perfect interview. According to the speaker, before hitting send on your CV to any company, students should master the following rules:
1. Understand yourself
Understanding yourself is extremely important. The better you understand yourself, the more clearly your internal values will be demonstrated, and employers will know what your strengths are and whether you fit the applied position. To achieve this goal, candidates should self-evaluate and answer the following 4 questions:
– What is your dream job?
– What are your strengths and weaknesses?
– What skills related to the applied position do you possess?
– Do you have enough knowledge for that field yet?
2. Build a plan
Once you have answered honestly and clearly, students can start writing their “action plan.” Different job positions will require different accompanying skills, but here are three extremely important skill groups regardless of the field:
– Communication skill group: public speaking, foreign language proficiency, presentations, etc.
Communication is a core factor in persuading others. These skills can be entirely honed during your studies through the curriculum, teamwork, etc., so candidates should make the most of that time.
– Professional skill group: ACCA, CFA, SHRM, foreign language certificates such as IELTS, TOEIC, etc.
For positions that do not require work experience or many years on the job, professional degrees are the fastest basis for employers to evaluate a candidate’s capabilities.
“People often say that when working, degrees are not as important as practical experience; that is true, but also… not true!” Mr. Tuan humorously shared.
– Other supplementary skill groups: Office informatics (MS Word, Excel, etc.), problem-solving skills, analytical skills (Power BI, Google Studio, etc.).
“If you have all of these skills, students can be confident that they will find a good job right after graduation,” the HR expert affirmed.
3. Focus on the CV format
Typically, an employer spends only 30 seconds scanning a CV, so the format of your resume (CV) is extremely important.
– Speak the same language as the business: Each business has its own culture and style. Research thoroughly through the company’s website, industry publications, LinkedIn page, Facebook groups, etc.
“People tend to feel closer to those who share similar traits or interests, and employers are no exception,” said the director.
– Write a professional and smart CV: The bare minimum for a professional CV is to be free of spelling or grammar mistakes. Next, the layout must be neat, easy to read, with carefully selected information to avoid overloading it with irrelevant experience.
– Confident demeanor: Confidence comes from thorough practice and adequate preparation. Practice answering questions expected to come up during the interview. An answer that pleases the employer will meet the criteria according to the STAR model:
- Situation: The specific context of the problem.
- Task: The candidate’s responsibilities in that situation.
- Action: The actions taken by the candidate to resolve the issue.
- Result: The actual results obtained.
At the end of the interview, the employer will invite the candidate to ask questions, which is also a great opportunity to score extra points.
Suggested questions:
- How can one develop further in this position?
- What does the ideal candidate you are looking for look like?
- What will the first few months be like for a newcomer?
“You should not answer ‘No’ when the employer asks if you have any questions. Quality questions not only help candidates understand what the employer is looking for, but also show that they are very serious about the job,” Mr. Tuan emphasized.
4. Before the H-hour
Candidates can visit the interview venue a day in advance to take a preliminary look and calculate travel time, estimate transit time, and then prepare their outfit for the interview. The attire should also match the company’s general image and style, and ensure that clothing is neat and clean.
On the day of the interview
Participants should arrive at the venue 10 – 15 minutes before the scheduled time and should not be late. In case of force majeure preventing on-time arrival, candidates should notify the employer in advance and ask to reschedule if necessary.
Always maintain a welcoming attitude from the moment you step into the interview room. A positive candidate will create more excitement for the employer, contributing to a smooth interview.
Listen carefully to the question before answering. If you do not truly understand the question, you can ask the interviewer to repeat it and request a few minutes to organize your response clearly and coherently.
After the interview
“Always be kind: greet the employers before leaving, and send a thank-you email to the interviewer for their time. Although these actions are minor, they can create a great impression on others,” Mr. Vo Minh Tuan concluded.
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