A new job in Cyprus can open the doors to great career opportunities as employers in Cyprus strive to attract job seekers to their technology, finance and fintech companies, creating plenty of opportunities. However, the pressure to present your skills, experience, and ability to make a good first impression can make any job search intimidating, yet this should be a great experience, meeting your potential employers for the first time! Let’s dampen any nerves you may have and give you the confidence to present your best self during an interview!
An interview allows an employer to determine whether you are the right person for the job. It’s also an opportunity for you to ensure that the job and company are a good fit for you.
Preparing for an interview, whether this is a face-to-face interview, a phone interview or even a virtual interview, is essential for increasing your confidence and demonstrating that you are the best candidate.
Nevertheless, the procedure and being nervous is still the same!
So we’ve prepared a small guide of simple steps for you to follow and help you prepare responses to difficult questions you may be asked, make a good first impression, and succeed.
Research the company you are applying to
Have you ever heard the expression “failure to plan is planning to fail”?
If not, let’s say that going to a job interview without doing your homework will not work well for you!
Knowing what the company does, not only makes you look good, but it can also boost your confidence. Employers want candidates who are a good fit for the company, so doing your research to understand how your interests and skills match those of the company is a good starting point.
You might also want to dig a bit deeper with your research.
Don’t just read the “About us” section on their website; find who will be interviewing you, their role at the company, and what projects or goals the company wants to achieve.
These will help you break the ice and create an insightful conversation rather than answering basic questions, as well as show some of your personality!
Finally, you would want to have a few questions ready at the end to ask the interviewees. It will demonstrate your understanding and dedication to the role, as well as clarify anything that is not clear.
Joining a great work culture is also important, so why not check out their social media activity to see what activities you might be able to participate in!
Use the STAR technique
Competency or behaviour-based interview questions, such as “tell me about a time when you successfully managed multiple deadlines,” can be difficult to answer and require some preparation.
So how do you prepare for these kinds of questions?
First, read through the job description and highlight the key skills or characteristics required for the role. There’s a possibility you will be asked to explain these, so get ready to prepare some answers, or even show them an example!
Then you will have to structure your answer.
How? By following the STAR technique below:
- Situation
Describe the situation briefly. What were you doing? Did it happen at your current job? - Task
Explain the task you were assigned. Stick to the facts! - Action
Describe the steps you took. This is where you describe the skills you used to execute the task. - Result
Explain the outcome. What happened as a result of your actions, and what did you learn? Is there anything you could have done differently?
Remember that the goal of this question and following this structure is to tell the interviewer about your work style, how you solve problems, and how you communicate with your colleagues.
We don’t like the ‘tell me about your weaknesses’ question. It belongs in the dark ages. However, if it arises, be smart with your weaknesses. Choose wisely
We are all afraid of this part of the interview, but there are some things you can do to prepare for it.
Here’s 3 things you can do:
1. You could mention a weakness that isn’t required for the role, yet is relevant. i.e. a weakness for dark chocolate is not relevant!
2. Always give an example and explain how to handle it. Understanding what you need to work on can increase your productivity and improve your working relationship with your manager.
For example, if you want to improve on your time management, you could mention that you use atask manager app to help you keep up your tasks and meet deadlines.
3. Avoid saying you are a perfectionist. They’ve heard it before, and it’s too broad.
Don’t forget! End the interview with a good impression!
Express your gratitude for the interview and, if applicable, reaffirm your interest. This final step has the potential to make a significant difference.
Here at Emerald Zebra, we support candidates through the recruitment process from CV submission, the interview process, offer management and thereafter when meeting the criteria set by our clientele.
To learn more about how we can assist you to land your next job in Cyprus visit our website, or alternatively contact us here jobs@emeraldzebra.cy.
Be the first to learn about new jobs in Cyprus that match your preferences!
