How to prepare for a job interview

Don’t be caught unprepared and find out how to make a good impression during a job interview. In this article you will find useful advice, the most frequently asked questions by recruiters and the questions that should be asked.

How to make a good impression

Your resume got you this far, now it really depends on the impression you’ll be able to make. Ricorda che: “There is no second chance to make a good first impression”, because according to statistics, 52% of human resources managers decide who is suitable for the role between the first and second interview.

When it comes to interviewing a company in the cannabis industry, it’s very important to present yourself as a professional because even though it may be a less formal industry than others, it doesn’t mean that the company isn’t looking for seriousness in a candidate. Use your knowledge about cannabis to create empathy, but always with professionalism and coherent arguments.

Tips

• Arrive prepared: it’s good practice to remember the name of the person you’re in contact with for the interview, and if you don’t know them, try to research the company’s values and what their activities are.
• What to wear: keep in mind that when you are hired you will have to represent the company’s values, try to dress appropriately according to the role you are looking for. The important thing is to feel comfortable and casual with what you wear.
• Punctuality: it is a fundamental element to start making a good impression, you can plan the route in advance trying to take into account any delays.
• Convey Positivity: introduce you with a smile and shaking the hand firmly (without going overboard), can establish positive contact right from the start.
• Body language: try to be aware of your movements and expressions, if you don’t feel ready, try in front of the mirror. Body language says a lot about a person and how they deal with the moment; during the interview maintain an upright position, express yourself with enthusiasm and avoid nervous or repetitive movements.
• Talking too much or too little: it is important to listen carefully to the questions and answer them in a focused and pertinent way, possibly listing concrete examples and trying to create empathy. The synthesis is important but without exaggerating, do not express yourself in monosyllables.
• Make good use of the time: an interview usually lasts from 20 to 50 minutes, maintain attention and continue to maintain interest throughout the duration of the interview.
• Don’t smoke: try not to smoke (ingest, vaporize…) cannabis before going to your appointment, this is not the time to let your guard down: it’s an opportunity that will not be repeated.

Frequently asked questions during an interview

Employers must be able to find out in a few minutes if you are the person they were looking for and the questions are usually also studied according to the candidate’s profile. It’s not about giving perfect answers, but about making a difference. It is important not to remain passive and try to create a dialogue so that the questions are not a question and answer. It is a unique and unrepeatable encounter, try to give your best and be consistent with the information you have given in the curriculum.

Tell us about yourself and your experiences

Study possible answers and a free presentation about yourself and your career path. Try to be spontaneous, even if it seems obvious it is important to have personality and try to distinguish yourself from the other candidates. Identify the elements to emphasize, i.e. how much weight to give to each aspect of the curriculum.

3 strengths and 3 weaknesses

A triviality, but much feared. A candidate who knows their strengths is likely to be better able to express them in their work, and at the same time recognizing their weaknesses (no one is perfect) is a sign of maturity. Try to adapt the answer according to the position offered, identify the soft skills that may be required and above all try to transform your weaknesses so that they do not appear as defects. Don’t use clichés and remember that it’s better to admit you have flaws and have a strategy to overcome them than not be aware of them.

Why are you interested in this job?

Show that you know the company and its values well, visit their website and their social networks. Let the human resources managers understand that you know the offer and that you meet the required requirements, dwell on the company’s reputation and the satisfaction that collaborating with them could give you. What not to say: “I need money”, “It’s behind the house” or other too vague answers.

Why should we choose you?

It’s a tricky question that doesn’t have a standard answer. To impress the recruiter you will have to stand out among all the candidates and do something more, avoid an attitude of superiority and try to appear aware that you are the right person for that job offer. Emphasize your strengths and empathetically communicate your passion for your work, stating your desire to be part of the team with conviction.

How did you overcome an obstacle at work?

Whatever your profession, surely you have had to face some challenges during your working day. An angry customer, a supplier who isn’t punctual or a colleague who has made a mistake… whatever episode you want to tell, try to focus on the solution and not on the problem, highlight how you managed to solve it and turn it into an opportunity.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Your prospects for the future play a very important role for employers. Find the right formula to list your professional goals, don’t disclose your private ambitions, and try not to distance yourself too much from what could be consistent with the job offer.

What to ask to employers

The moment of the interview is not only important for making yourself known, but it is also a great opportunity to get to know the company and their mission. Asking questions and asking for explanations if something isn’t clear to you can help you learn more about the role on offer and their future plans; moreover, it is always synonymous with curiosity and initiative, qualities that are highly appreciated by human resources managers.

Can I ask about salary?

Usually the salary is already informed in the job advertisement, but if this is not the case, there is no inconvenience in requesting information on the expected remuneration, the important thing is to ask for it correctly.

During the first job interview it is good to highlight one’s skills and enthusiasm, let the recruiter address the topic first. If he doesn’t, you can wait until the interview is over to see if the salary is adequate for the role and your expectations.

We must not give the idea of being there just for the money, even if when it comes to an employment contract, basically, that’s what it is about: providing a work service to receive compensation.

If you are a recent graduate, don’t aim for the highest possible salary, but for one in line with your preparation and experience. Take into account the possibilities for professional growth and the training that the company offers, sometimes it is better to start with a lower salary and have a long career than to have a good salary but only for a few months. Depending on the role of the offer, you can start the question by asking about the expected benefits, or incentives.

Transform the question into a request for clarification on the company’s prospects, after all we don’t have to hide our economic interest, but it is good to remember to always formulate the question with elegance and diplomacy.

What exactly will my duties be?

If the jobs have been listed in a generic or not very detailed way in the announcement, it’s a question you can and must ask to find out if it’s really the job for you. Furthermore, knowing the details, you will be able to refer to your specific skills and experience in those specific tasks.

Would I have career opportunities?

This question demonstrates your willingness to grow professionally and that you are someone who is willing to commit for the long term. You might ask them to give you some examples of how the team works and how it has grown over time, so you’ll know if it’s a stable team or if it changes frequently.

When will I know if I’ve been chosen?

Many times the wait wears out, and above all if the work interests us particularly. Unfortunately, not all HR managers send feedback when the interview was unsuccessful, which is why it is advisable to ask if the company plans to get back in touch with you to let you know its choice.

 

We hope that our advice will be useful for you to better face your next job interview; if you want to learn more and know how to create a perfect resume, read our article here.

Still have some doubts and don’t know how to prepare for an interview? Leave a comment and we will reply as soon as possible.