1. Few first things to remember.

• It’s time for both the company and you to meet each other. 2-way communication is recommended.

• May have many rounds of interview. Expect at least 3 rounds: 1 with the direct manager, 1 with the department manager, and 1 with HR. Sometimes HR round can be combined with the round with direct manager.

• The interviews can be done in different types, such as online, offline, or even company visit day.

• Preparation & practice are crucial steps!

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2. Do your homework – preparation before the interview.

• Run through your application package to ensure you get all the details well. Important!!! You don’t want to be seen as liar, do you?

• Check the JD again to get well about the responsibilities and requirements of the vacancy. You don’t want to be akward in front of interviewers, do you?

• Do a research on the company: industry, current strategy, any recent news, etc… Check its website, annual report, or just Google. Impress the interviewers!

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3. Introduction about yourself

• Always the first part in any interview. Short time, but high level of importance: 5% of time, 25% contribution to interviewer’s impression.

• Have to show your energy and enthusiasm. Engage with and make the interviewers curious and interested in you.

• Invest time to create an “impressive” introduction and practice it. Practice makes perfect!

• Few solutions to have an impressive introduction: story-telling, theme, combination with few personal interests, or mix.

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4. Prepare several frequent-asked questions (other than technical questions)

• Your profile: run through the CV, what you did in the previous positions, strengths, weaknesses, why do you think you fit this position, etc…

• Why company? Why position?

• Why country? Why city? What is your plan to quickly adopt to the new environment?

• Behavior questions: how you deal with some work-related situations in your previous positions.

People love hearing stories. The good stories can attract the interviewers’ attention, engage them, and make you become outstanding candidate.

Do you want to know how to answer those questions impressively? How many stories should you prepare? Which topics? How many stories should you tell in the interviews? Connect and work with me, we can clear those concerns.

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5. “Do you have any questions for us?”

• Pop out in any job interview. The last part, but important! Interviewers will pay much attention to the section.

• Time to show your advance preparation, enthusiasm about the company & position. In other words, it is the last chance in that interview for you to talk with the interviewers. Impress them!

• Prepare at least 3 questions:

a) 1 question about the company’s strategy: What do you see the company in the next 3-5 years? / What do the strategy for the department/products?…

b) 1 question about the interviewers’ experience of working at that company/department: What do you like most/want to improve while working at the company?

c) 1 question about that vacancy: What are your expectation for the new joiner in the first 3 months? / Why is this vacancy available? / Why do you see my profile fit that vacancy?

• 2-way communication: listening carefully the interviewers’ answers, then communicate with them based on their answers. It’s better to re-phase what they said (run the normal & natural conversation). Do not immediately jump into the next question.

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6. Ending and follow-up

• End the interview in a happy tone and positive mood, no matter what’s happened in the interview.

• It’s totally okay to ask the interviewers when you can hear the outcome of that interview and the next steps

• Thank-you email after interview: it depends and is not mandatory. The interviewers will not change the decision just because of an “thank you email”.

• Follow-up: you can send the follow-up email to ask about the status and outcome. When? After 7-14 days

If you pass, no matter what they reply, you’ll receive the email within 2 weeks from the interview date. After that period, 95% that you’re not passed. Or, you’re not the first-ranked candidate.

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7. After the interview

• You may not receive the offer in the first few applications and interviews. You can be disappointed. However, it’s normal.

• Time for review: summarise what you did well in that interview and what to improve in the future.

• Add any new questions into FAQ list for future preparation.

• Continue the job hunting as usual. Do not stop just because you feel well of that interview. Until when? To the time you get the offer for your favorite position.