3 Tips on Interviewing Well

The thought of interviewing for a new position is often frightening, while others may embrace it as a chance to tell their “working” story. For me, I’ve been on both sides of the field and honestly, both sides are just as exciting for me.  For the past several months, I’ve been working as the in-house recruiter for Teneo Linguistics Company (TLC).  During these months, I’ve reviewed resumes and interviewed well over 300 candidates, and that number may be a bit of an understatement.  Truthfully, it’s probably a lot higher by now. The one thing I can tell a potential candidate is “get ready to be yourself.” If you are stressed, afraid, or even a bit over-confident, I will try my best to make the experience as enjoyable as possible, especially for an interview. But the number one thing I do ask is please show up and when you do, please show up on time. Nothing gives off red flags as not showing up or being late to an interview for a potential new employment position. Yes, life can get in the way and things happen, but before I finalize the interview time, I have provided you with all my contact information, so if something changes, let me know.   

When projects arise that need bilingual staffing, I need to know what the needs of the client are. In a way, I get a good feel for their target audience. That way, I can properly screen applicants and begin finding those who have matching qualifications. Once I find these potential candidates, I invite them for an interview. 

Tell Me Your Story 

During my interview process, I want to get to know you. We may just have 30 minutes, maybe an hour, but I want to hear who you are, not just read the words on your resume. Tell me your story. Where did you come from? What do you like? It’s okay if you don’t like certain things, we are all human and all have our likes and dislikes. And if you are nervous, I’ll tell you a little secret, I’m probably just as nervous, too.  So, let’s be nervous together. 

Finding the right candidate(s) can be tricky especially when it’s for a bilingual position. People who are bilingual fall into various areas of understanding the language and their level of being able to comprehend it, speak it, write it, or translate/interpret it.  For some, this ability to switch between languages is second nature, while others can speak the language but find it harder to translate or communicate it back to a non-speaker. Depending on the needs or qualifications, I try my best to place people in the appropriate area. During our interview process, I will test your level of fluency in being able to have a conversation and keep up a conversation with me. I will also assign a language proficiency assessment that aims to find a more qualified candidate and assess how well-versed you are in the language. This is particularly important for certain positions when we are tailoring to the customers’ needs and requirements of the language.  Like I said, this can be tricky. I may go in with this checklist of what I need from a candidate, but also go with my gut and what I want for our clients. That’s why it’s important to be honest and tell me your story. Even if it is full of struggles and failures, I want to hear it. Trust me, I can probably relate.  

Be Camera-Ready  

As our open positions may be anywhere, we are almost always interviewing remotely. We may talk on the phone the first time, and over video the second time. I may also ask you to use our remote interviewing platform and record your answers to our questions on video.  

When we use video, I try to look at you through the eyes of our customers. I do not expect you to act like you are on Hollywood’s red carpet. I promise there will be no paparazzi waiting for you when the camera turns on, but I do want you to show up for me like you would for work. Video isn’t just a way for us to see each other, it is a way for me to see how you present yourself, whether or not you make eye contact, or smile, and if you dress the part, too.  

Although I try not to focus on your background too much, it does help if I do not have to get over the distraction of an unmade bed behind you or if you leave me wondering how long that dirty laundry has been piling up.  

In short, try to show up just like you would for an in-person interview, ready to make a good impression.  

Stick With It  

As much as I would like to have you hired and settled in as soon as possible, we will take our time. Our process usually unfolds into multiple steps, and it will feel like jumping through one too many hoops, sometimes. The reasons for this are multiple with the most important ones being the specific requirements of our customers and their projects as well as our culture. Whether you are interviewing for a temporary or a permanent position, we want to be sure you will be a fit for our organization. 

I might ask you to complete several tasks along the way as well, such as an online interview or a psychometric assessment.  There might be instructions to read and steps to follow. 

Every milestone in the recruitment process, every email or a completed task tells me more about you.  My suggestion to you is that you do your best to evaluate TLC as well. Truly attempt to get to know me and TLC. Employment is a two-way street, and it is in your best interest to find an employer who will treat you right and give you what you need.  

When you set your mind and see that the interview process is very much like a conversation, it helps ease some stress. By knowing the stakes may be just as high for you as they are for us but understanding that what we are all trying to accomplish is to get to know each other and see if we can be a good fit for one another.  Work relationships may be incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. So, let’s get this right! 

I am looking forward to speaking with you, soon.