How to conduct a job interview?

You send your CV, you wait for the long-awaited call, and suddenly the phone rings: you have passed the first stage of recruitment! Now it is time to face the next—and truly decisive—step: the face-to-face interview. Do you want to know how to conduct a job interview and get the job you want? Here are some key tips to help you achieve your goal.

Recruiters are specifically trained to conduct job interviews, as this is an essential stage in the selection process used to assess whether a candidate truly fits the profile required by the company. On the other side are the candidates, who have a great opportunity to stand out among all the people who have applied for the job vacancy. Whether you are on one side or the other of the table, both parties must know how to handle the situation in order to achieve their objective, which is why it is essential to know how to conduct a successful job interview.

Let’s start from the perspective of the candidate. After preparing your CV and securing an interview with the hiring manager, it is time to do your homework and understand which aspects will be especially taken into account during the interview. There are specialised books on this topic, and we have extracted some very useful tips if you want to know how to succeed in a job interview and hear those words: “the job is yours.”

How to succeed in a job interview?

“The job is yours” is the title of a very interesting guide on how to “succeed in a job interview”, as its authors Alexis de Bretteville and Charles-Henry Dumon explain. They emphasize that anyone can master these situations with “good preparation, good training, and active participation.” Pay attention to these points to understand how to conduct a job interview.

• Punctuality and good presentation: First impressions matter. Arrive on time, be at the right place, and dress appropriately depending on the role and the company’s brand image.
• Research the company: You will likely be asked questions about it, as we will see later in the examples of job interviews.
• Greet politely and know the interviewer’s name and position: Smile, show confidence, and maintain a positive and proactive attitude.
• Listen carefully and answer clearly and concisely: Avoid rambling and never lie. Honesty and humility are valued, especially when acknowledging limitations.
• Closing the interview: Just as important as the beginning. If you are genuinely interested in the job, politely ask about the next steps in the process and any questions you may have.

How to conduct a job interview as an interviewer?

Human resources professionals receive extensive training, and one of the most important skills they must master is knowing how to conduct a good job interview as an interviewer, since one of their main responsibilities is recruiting talent. At :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, this is covered in the Master’s in Human Resources, which is especially relevant for those who want to work in recruitment and people management.

Training focuses on key aspects of conducting successful interviews, meaning selecting the candidates who best fit the role to be filled.

1. Prepare the interview: decide which questions are essential to assess both technical skills and soft skills.
2. Welcome the candidate: make them feel comfortable in order to better evaluate their potential.
3. Ask the prepared questions: give the candidate enough time to respond calmly and confidently.
4. Analyze the answers and evaluate the candidate: assess how well their profile matches the company’s needs.

Examples of how to conduct a proper interview

In both roles—interviewer and candidate—the questions asked are the key element. Below are some common examples of how to conduct a proper job interview, widely used by recruitment professionals to evaluate candidates.

• What motivated you to apply for this position?
• What attracts you most about working in our company?
• What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your professional goals and career path expectations?
• Do you consider yourself a team player?

How to conduct a job interview via Zoom or other online platforms?

Technological advances and an increasingly digital job market mean you may need to conduct or attend a job interview via Zoom or other online platforms. What are the most important aspects?

1. Check everything in advance: internet connection, platform, and equipment.
2. Choose a quiet place. A clean and distraction-free environment helps keep the focus on you as a professional.
3. Prepare as if it were an in-person interview, including clothing and answers.
4. Position yourself correctly in front of the camera, ideally showing your upper body rather than a very tight frame.

In short, apply the same principles of in-person interviews to the online environment, while ensuring a stable connection and a calm, confident presence. If you are the recruiter, your goal should be to make the candidate feel comfortable so you can truly assess their potential contribution to the company.