The recruitment process can be nerve-racking and fills you with lots of emotions and questions. You may wonder if you are right for the job or if your skills are transferable. So what can you do to really stand out in an interview?

Estefânia Rodrigues, our Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Metyis, shares six tips for having the right preparation and confidence for your next interview.

1. Do what comes naturally

Time flies when you are enjoying yourself. So, think about what you see yourself doing without effort because you are happy doing it. Your answer doesn’t need to be tied to the courses you took in university.

When you answer questions about yourself consider turning them into dynamic stories that use the STAR Method. Companies like Google, for instance, are using this approach to interview candidates.

Sometimes, simulating an interviewer's question may answer your own self-doubts about the job or sharpen your answer to what you really want to say.

Don’t rely simply on your CV by listing each job you had. In the interview add context to your life story with what you learned from previous positions and experiences. Highlight how they may benefit the company you are interviewing for.

3. Get to know the company you want to work for

Closely research the company and demonstrate your familiarity with its mission and ongoing projects during the interview.

LinkedIn is an invaluable asset. Use it to connect with team members at specific companies and ask them to share insights about their experiences. You can apply directly to a position or send a spontaneous application.

At Metyis, we love spontaneous applications because it shows the candidate's motivation and encourages the recruitment team to find a place for you in the organisation.

4. Reflect on your strengths and areas you want to improve

In the interview process, you will be asked directly or indirectly about your skills and the opportunities you want to improve on. You need to be clear about how you envision yourself adding value to the company.

You can be a person with no professional experience in a particular matter, but you can be passionate about your work. Be sure to share your personal projects that demonstrate your applied knowledge. Lack of professional expertise in a specific area shouldn’t be a barrier to applying for junior positions where you would be trained and equipped with skills that allow you to grow within the company.

We love to hire for potential! At the end of the day, we will all learn from each other.

5. Be a lifelong learner dedicated to continuous development

Interviews can be very intense in terms of logical thinking, even more so when we are under pressure. Remember that it’s ok to say, “I don’t know about this technology” or “I never worked with that tool”.

As you know, technologies and tools are always evolving. So, be curious about technology or other topics that may interest you. Show your initiative in learning and developing new skills or tools.

You can keep yourself up to date and invest in the job market’s most sought after skills by using free online learning platforms like Coursera, edX and Udemy.

6. Don’t get discouraged and keep trying

Participating in an interview can be challenging, hard work, and stressful but you only need to give your best.

Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, received many rejections in his career. He concluded that sometimes rejection can be the best thing for you.

Remember to be confident and surround yourself with good people that care about you, and breathe! Indeed shared some tips on the main “dos and don’ts” of job hunting to keep you motivated and optimistic.

Remember, be human! 

No matter how the interview is conducted and the outcome, the most important thing is to be yourself. Remember who you are, what you are looking for, and what is important to you. It is critical that you articulate your skills, experiences and be confident talking about yourself.

After all, the interview isn’t just about what the recruiter is looking for or whether you are the best fit for the position. It is also about what you are looking for and whether the company and job are right for you.