5 Things Candidates Should Expect Their Interviews

A blog post around the 5 things you should expect from your interviews

One of the most common questions we receive from candidates is “what should I expect in my interview?” Interviews are a two way street, and both parties have expectations. Interviewing can be less stressful when you know what to expect.

Though no one can guarantee anything for any given candidate or employer, here are 5 things that candidates should expect their interviews:

1) Candidates should expect to be able to communicate with their interviewer(s).

Interviewers may seem like mind readers at times, but they’re not! (I’ve personally been guilty of this before — apologies to the candidate if you fit this description!) Interviewers want your answers, both because it’s easier for them and also because your answers will allow them to provide their feedback to you. Interviewers want your feedback as well, plus conversations and dialogue are a major part of what Interviewing is all about. Interviewers will ask questions about you; be ready to answer them. Interviews are the time and place for communication!

2) Candidates should expect the interview experience itself to have a purpose .

Interviewing typically has objectives and goals that are worth sharing with candidates: employers would like to know if they’re interested, most hirers want their candidates to enjoy their interviews, etc. Interviews also usually have an objective which can help both parties focus on what’s important (if there isn’t one or it’s not communicated, talk with the interviewer(s) after your interview).

3) Candidates should expect Interviewers to be professionals.

Interviewers are the people who will be making hires and giving feedback to candidates, and Interviewing involves a ton of professional verbal and written communication skills. Interviewers have been Interviewed many times before — they’re usually great at Interviews!

4) Candidates should expect the process to take time.

Employers want more than an hour or two with candidates for a good reason: understanding someone takes more than that! Questions take time, conversations take time; getting a good idea of whether you’ll work well together is important for everyone involved. Interviews can often involve multiple interviewers from different teams (e.g., technical interview + HR/personality fit interview + final round with hiring manager). Interviews aren’t one question events. Interviewing isn’t bottling lightning into a single interview session — Interviewing is building trust over time and getting to know each other well enough that you’d want to work together even if the Interviews are going badly (both sides have to be happy hiring someone they’d be miserable working with for a year).

5) Candidates should expect Interviewers to be candid and honest.

Interviewers don’t lie when they’re Interviewing, and Interviewees needn’t fear being honest either. Honesty during Interviews is liberating — it leaves all parties knowing what to expect, not caught off-guard by any surprises or huge changes in plans. Don’t worry about hurting the interviewer(s)’ feelings if you don’t want to Interview with them, or being honest about Interviewing if the Interviewer doesn’t seem like a good fit. Interviewers have experience and are well-trained in handling tough Interview questions: be straight with them (it’s okay — they’ll appreciate it!)

Good luck interviewing! I hope Interviews are fulfilling for you as they are for Employers. It’s my sincere hope that these 5 things help your Interviewing process go better than ever before!

Posted on the blog on @counter-me — https://www.counter.me/blog/5-things-candidates-should-expect-their-interviews