Category: Job Seeking

When it comes to interview preparation, everyone has their own approach. Some people prefer to walk into an interview with a relaxed, unprepared mindset, relying on their instincts and natural abilities to give their best. If you’re one of those individuals who thrives in spontaneous situations, that’s perfectly fine!

However, for others, preparation is key to boosting confidence and improving performance. If you’re someone who prefers to feel ready and rehearsed before facing interviewers, taking time to prepare can make a significant difference in how you present yourself.

Why Preparation Matters

Preparation allows you to focus on refining your responses, understanding the company’s values, and practicing answers to common questions. It reduces anxiety and helps you anticipate potential challenges during the interview process. For many, this added structure helps them feel more in control and less likely to be caught off guard by unexpected questions.

How to Prepare Yourself for an Interview?

First, you need to research the company and the role you’re interviewing for. Once you’ve done your homework, start with basic questions like “Tell me about yourself.” Think about the best way to present yourself. You can take the old-school approach—stand in front of a mirror and start talking. Pay attention to your gestures, expressions, and listen to your diction. Consider how you sound: do you come across as confident or a bit insecure? Do you seem motivated for the role, or more vaguely interested?

Of course, you can always seek external help. For example, you can ask Google for assistance. Have you heard about Google Interview Warmup?

A Modern Tool: Google Interview Warmup

Google Interview Warmup is an online tool for interview preparation—see details here. Originally designed to help job seekers in fields like data analytics, IT, and project management, it provides a user-friendly way to practice interview questions.  However, it also includes a General option for other types of roles.

Question Variety: The platform offers a variety of question types commonly found in technical and behavioral interviews. By practicing with these questions, you can sharpen your ability to think quickly and structure clear, concise answers.

Non-Judgmental Environment: One of the greatest benefits is that it provides a safe space to practice without pressure. You can experiment with different ways of answering questions, get feedback, and improve over time—all without the anxiety of real interview situations.

Answer Analysis: After answering, you can read the transcript of your responses. Google will highlight your most-used words and job-related terms you’ve used (or haven’t used enough). It can also extract key talking points for you.

Practice: After analyzing your approach, you can repeat and practice with the same or new questions.

When Should You Use It: Google Interview Warmup is especially useful if you’re entering a technical field or preparing for a structured interview where detailed questions about your skills and experience are expected. It’s ideal for those who feel they need a little more preparation to confidently convey their knowledge and qualifications.

Of course, if you prefer to practice with a real person who can give you immediate feedback and help improve your approach, attitude, and even teach you how to enhance your presentation skills, you can always turn to Jaka Lounge consultants. See our career counseling sessions here.

Ultimately, whether you prefer to go in unprepared and rely on your spontaneity, or take time to prepare and practice, both approaches are valid. However, if you feel preparation is key to your success, leveraging modern tools and techniques can improve your interview skills and boost your confidence. After all, preparation isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling ready to showcase your best self.

Getting multiple interviews is a positive sign—your resume is making an impact, and recruiters see potential in your skills and experience. However, if you’re consistently falling short at the final hurdle, it’s time to reassess your approach. Here are some reasons why this might be happening and how you can improve your chances of landing that coveted job offer.

You’re Not Prepared Enough

Preparation is crucial. Researching the company, understanding its culture, and familiarizing yourself with the role’s requirements can make a significant difference. Interviewers can tell when a candidate hasn’t done their homework.

Solution: Spend time researching the company, its values, recent news, and the industry it operates in. Tailor your responses to show that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re genuinely interested in this particular role and company. Here’s our insight into this topic: Inform Yourself About the Company.

Your Communication Could Use Some Work

Even if you have the right qualifications, how you convey your thoughts matters. Rambling, using filler words, or failing to answer questions directly can leave a negative impression.

Solution: Practice clear and concise communication. Consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This technique helps you stay focused and provide detailed, relevant answers.

You’re Not Selling Yourself

It’s not enough to simply state your skills and experience—you need to demonstrate how you can add value to the company. Employers want to know what makes you the best fit for their team.

Solution: Use specific examples from your past experience to illustrate your achievements. Highlight your problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and how you’ve positively impacted previous employers. Quantifiable achievements (e.g., increased sales by 20%) are particularly compelling.

You’re Coming Off Too Negative

Hiring managers favor candidates who are positive and solution-oriented. Being overly negative or critical can be a red flag.

Solution: When asked about potential improvements for the company or past employers, be mindful of how you word your responses. Focus on constructive feedback and offer solutions rather than just pointing out problems. Avoid badmouthing former workplaces, managers, or colleagues, no matter the circumstances. Presenting yourself as a positive and proactive individual will make you more appealing to employers.

If you are not authentically a positive person, don’t force yourself to put on a false front—but if there is at least one topic you view favorably, try to showcase that side of yourself.

You’re Not Showing Enough Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is contagious. Employers are looking for candidates who are excited about the opportunity and eager to contribute. If you come across as indifferent, they may question your interest in the role.

Solution: Show genuine enthusiasm during the interview. Smile, maintain eye contact, and express your excitement about the position. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. For additional preparation, check out these tips: Practical Tips for a Scheduled Job Interview.

You’re Not a Cultural Fit

Sometimes, it’s not about your skills but how well you fit into the company’s culture. Employers want to ensure that new hires will mesh well with the existing team and uphold the company’s values.

Solution: Reflect on the company’s culture and values during your research. In your interview, highlight aspects of your personality and work style that align with the company’s culture. Be honest—finding a company where you truly fit will benefit both you and your employer in the long run.

You’re Not Following Up

Following up after an interview shows professionalism and continued interest in the position. It’s a chance to reiterate your enthusiasm and keep yourself top-of-mind for the hiring team.

Solution: Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Mention specific points discussed during the interview and reiterate why you’re excited about the role. This small step can set you apart from other candidates, but it’s not a common approach in all markets. For example, in Serbia, it is not usual for recruiters to receive follow-up emails, so be mindful of this.

You’re Not Learning from Feedback

If you’re consistently not getting offers, it might be helpful to seek feedback from your interviewers. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement.

Solution: If possible, politely ask for feedback after you’ve been turned down. Use this information to refine your interview technique and address any recurring issues.

Getting multiple interviews but no offers can be frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. By addressing these common issues and refining your interview approach, you can improve your chances of securing a job offer. Remember, each interview is a learning experience. Stay positive, keep honing your skills, and the right opportunity will come your way.

Ultimately, just like in relationships with others, the one who doesn’t want us isn’t good for us. We just need to recognize that on time.

If you are still facing challenges and need support during your job search, see how Jaka Lounge consultants can assist you through career counseling.

At Jaka Lounge, we often hear that candidates with a strong background have been trying to find a new job for a long time. What seems like an almost insurmountable obstacle to them is that employers do not call them for interviews. The question that arises is how it is possible that someone with all the required qualifications and experience from the job ad does not meet the application criteria. And not just for one job, but for many. They often come to us for career counseling consultations, sometimes completely discouraged, hoping that we are the last option that can help them find a new job.

When we start diagnosing the situation and analyzing the causes of the problem, we often find a simple answer. Check if you fall into this category and find out why you’re not getting called for interviews despite applying for jobs.

First of all, check with people in your environment if your CV is clear and free of typographical errors. Look at our blog for advice on writing a good CV: A good CV is a ticket to get a job. If you’ve done that first step well, and there are still no results, then the culprit might be a technical obstacle.

You have probably heard of ATS, or Applicant Tracking Systems, which track candidates’ applications for open positions. Most companies have some form of this system, or they use the ATS option within a larger HR system. What does that actually mean?

ATS helps recruiters review incoming applications faster. It is programmed to load and analyze a CV when a candidate sends it. Typically, ATS uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to convert PDF or scanned documents into text that can be analyzed.

Then, ATS extracts key data from the CV such as name, contact information, education, work experience, skills, and other relevant data. The system then focuses on finding keywords relevant to the position the candidate is applying for. These keywords are usually listed in the job description and may include specific skills, qualifications, or experience. Based on the alignment of the CV with the job’s keywords and criteria, ATS assigns a score or rank to each candidate. Candidates whose CV has more relevant keywords and better match the job requirements are ranked higher and forwarded to recruiters for review. On the other hand, candidates who do not meet the requirements are usually rejected or classified as lower priority. This might be the cause of your problem.

How does ATS filter data?

ATS allows recruiters to search the candidate database using various filters and criteria, as well as generate reports on the status of applications and the hiring process. ATS systems can be set to search for specific words or phrases for a given position. Here’s how it is usually done:

1. Defining Keywords: During the job posting process, recruiters can enter specific keywords relevant to the position. These keywords may include technical skills, software tools, qualifications, or specific terms important for the job. These words are usually also found in the job listing itself.
2. Using Boolean Operations: ATS allows the use of Boolean operations (such as AND, OR, NOT) for more precise searches. For example, a recruiter can set ATS to search for a candidate with “Java AND SQL” skills or to avoid candidates with “Entry-level NOT Manager” in their CV.
3. Weighting Keywords: Some ATS systems allow recruiters to assign different weights or priorities to specific keywords. For example, the keyword “project manager” may have more weight than “MS Office,” meaning candidates with project management experience will be ranked higher.
4. Using Synonyms: ATS systems can be configured to recognize synonyms or related terms. For example, for a position requiring “Customer Service,” ATS can also recognize “Customer Support” or “Client Service” as relevant keywords.
5. Contextual Analysis: Some advanced ATS systems use natural language processing and machine learning to understand the context in which keywords appear. This allows for better accuracy in identifying relevant skills and experiences.
6. Setting Filters: Recruiters can set filters for specific positions to automatically reject CVs that do not contain the necessary keywords or phrases. This helps reduce the number of irrelevant applications.

Tips for Optimizing Your CV for ATS

All of the above indicates that for every job application, it is necessary to additionally tailor your CV to increase the chances of getting an interview opportunity. Yes, it sounds like you need to do extra work to find a job. Unfortunately, the automation of the selection process and the shift from human evaluation to machines have brought this about. Recruiters used to review every CV (although not all recruiters were so diligent and responsible, so you might not be invited for an interview simply because the recruiter accidentally skipped your application in a sea of others), and they used to read between the lines. We at Jaka Lounge have experienced situations where for some positions we would call people whose CV didn’t even have the basic elements, but their skills and length of experience in a certain company suggested they were suitable for the position. And often, we were right, even though hiring managers were not thrilled when they saw just the CV and had additional prejudices about the person based only on reading that paper. In any case, it is definitely worth having a nice and clear CV because why reduce your chances of getting a job interview.

Besides that, optimizing your CV for ATS can significantly increase the chances of your CV being noticed by recruiters. Here’s how you can achieve this:

• Use a simple and clean format without too many graphic elements.
• Include relevant keywords that appear in the job description.
• Avoid images and special fonts.
• Use standard section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”).
• Concisely and clearly state your achievements and responsibilities.

It doesn’t sound complicated, does it? If you still don’t have success, call us to consult and assess what can be further improved.

Good luck!

A situation that I recently experienced myself in the process of looking for a job, and which I had heard about before from personal experience from various sources, from the stories of friends and acquaintances, and about which I read as the topic of weekly columns, psychological manuals, and various blogs, inspired me to write this blog.

It is about the phenomenon of demonstration of power, i.e. the presented values ​​of the company during the interviewing of job candidates, and finally, about the lack of positive direct communication. Can you guess what I’m talking about?

Namely, based on a good recommendation, my well-written CV ended up on the “big and important” director’s desk of a successful company, to be read and considered (I hoped), so that I might be invited to an interview. Fortunately for me, I was invited, and very quickly.

I was very pleased that such an opportunity presented itself to me because I considered that “big and important” also means capable, innovative, inspiring, and everything that logically goes with that. Armed with a positive attitude, freshness, and “good energy”, I appeared ten minutes early in the center of that well-known company and was asked to wait until the Director’s Personal Assistant came to pick me up.

And while I’m sitting on the sofa and renewing what will be my “key points” in the conversation, I see a younger woman, dressed for business, approaching me, and I smile because I realize that this is the person I’m waiting for, but at the same time, I notice how her facial expression doesn’t change as she walks towards me, that she is very strict and “cemented” on that face. Now the young lady is in front of me, but she doesn’t say good day or anything like that, nor did she smile at me, but with an unchanged stern expression asks me if I’m That and That? I confirm that I am, “Good day, how are you”, I say, and I only get the instruction “Follow me”. And I follow her. The first “touch point”. We all know how important the first impression is, and how, among other things, it is an important transmitter of the company’s value and an indicator of the climate that prevails in it. My thoughts stimulated by such a first interaction are naturally diverted from the positive, my expectations change as I walk through the corridor, and now I estimate that the price here is some rigid strictness, “great importance”, and kindness and immediacy probably do not share a priority place on “know-how” lists. OK.

The personal assistant opens the door to the Director’s office, and now the two of us are standing in the office near the door. The director’s desk is opposite us, so he would be looking right at us, actually me, if he would like to look!

Although the opening of the door was heard, and it was more than evident that someone entered the office, the Director does not raise his head but continued to look at the papers, it seems, and this continues now… I am confused, not only because he did not look at us but also greeted us, but also by the fact his assistant is not saying anything (in my head I should say something like Director, So and So arrived as agreed, or at least Good day). The assistant is standing next to me, and the Director still doesn’t look up. My thoughts impose an idea: he’s important, he’s testing me, or he’s really busy. I do not know. But that’s how I say Good day first! And I stretch my lips into a smile (measured, of course). Even though it’s Good Day, it turned out to be somewhat sound considering the given situation.

The second “touch point” leaves me with a variety of impressions. The director is now busy and I am irrelevant at this moment and now is not the right moment for me and that’s all… there is a very “important” man in front of me (who will use this opportunity to demonstrate his importance and to test a potential “follower” in a certain way), as well as the impression that the Director has no problem rejecting prosaic etiquette.

Good day! And a measured smile. The director raises his head, confirms my presence, greets me, and tells me to sit down, while his assistant is still standing and does not speak, and leaves after the instructions he receives, among other things, to bring me water. I greet her and thank her. I think she also said hello to me at that moment.

The conversation with the Director lasted only a few minutes. He asked me one question about what I did at my previous job because it was a well-known and well-known company in the region. He referred me to an interview with the HR director of the company and I left his office as fastest as I could. Just when the water was coming.

In this instance, the situation improved a little for me, because the HR director was a nice older lady who has probably been working for the company for a long time, quite formal, admittedly, at times it seems as if she is “doing what is necessary”, but who, on the other hand, with spent a whole hour and a bit with me, although at the beginning she emphasized that our conversation would last 30 minutes, and with whom I had the impression that I had talked. When I was leaving, the HR director escorted me to the exit and I thanked her, “It was nice talking to you”, which she did not say back, but politely said goodbye. We will be in touch.

This experience got me thinking. The director certainly wanted to get to know me (because he needs to find someone or to “follow up” on a recommendation), to get some impression, and that is quite desirable and expected. I once read somewhere that when you need to demonstrate the importance, you should not speak for more than two minutes. And it suddenly dawned on me on the way back. Of course, there are many other ways to demonstrate power or to speedily “test” one’s character (although this was perhaps too speedy for even the most judgmental mage).

My conclusion from this experience is that in such situations, you should stick to your own views and principles, and not allow someone else’s approach to confuse us or cause us discomfort. Give yourself space to assess the situation, make an effort to tolerate the uncomfortable silence and “non-reaction”, and finally make an effort to “fight it out” for yourself.

In such business environments, it is probably a pyramid-structured company whose values ​​do not prioritize positivity, openness, initiative, criticality, and flexibility. My “good energy”, freshness, and kindness, were not accepted, nor were they probably interpreted as if I was a good “fit” for this company, and various questions opened up in my head, such as these: Is it positive in such systems immediacy a threat to one’s greatness or is it too expensive, difficult and unnecessary? Does it level or reduce the importance and seriousness? Does it represent disrespect for authority? Can authority be kind and accepting? Even now, I could list many more questions in this regard, but I believe that you understand what I am trying to say, and above all, I understand it myself. Anyhow, choose the work environments you want to work in carefully. Not every company is for everyone, regardless of reputation and external impression.

During job search and the selection process, it is often the case that candidates are left confused after an interview because of unresolved concerns, or they realise there are questions they should have asked, but they forgot. Also, there are often questions like “what should and what shouldn’t be asked on an interview” that make the whole situation even more complicated.

In order to simplify the whole story, we will say the following – there are no questions that you should not ask, maybe just those that are not the best ones for the first round of interviews. But let’s look at the important ones that you need to ask, and which are perfectly okay to ask.

More details about the company

This is a question that is generally asked by interviewers to see if you have researched in more details about the company, and it can also show your motivation for the company or position. However, sometimes you may not find many details on a website of a company itself that may be of interest to you or that may be important to you. In such a situation, it is perfectly okay to ask for company details (company size, team structure, location, company culture, etc.)

Tasks and the team

Your future responsibilities are mainly described in a job ad that was posted, and we strongly advise you to read it in detail as your interviewer will surely ask you further about your potential responsibilities and how you understand them. On the other hand, if an ad was not detailed enough, you may have some concerns about the job itself. In these situations, it is quite fair to ask for an additional explanation so that you have all the information you need, and also to know if that job is really what interests you.

Also, information about your future team (if any) can be of great importance to you. What will be your future team, whether it consists of juniors or seniors, and how your cooperation with them will look like.

Working hours

This is one of the questions that candidates often forget to ask, and it can significantly influence further motivation. Be sure to check your working hours, and whether you work on weekends. Also, having shifts or on-call duties in certain positions can be crucial when deciding on a job.

Next steps

Most of the selection processes consist of several different rounds, and the first step is mostly talking to HR. After that, the process may vary, and the next interview may be with a hiring manager, or with top management, a director, etc. Also, be prepared to do different tests during the process: case study, aptitude test, knowledge test, presentations, etc. In this case, it is essential to be informed about what the test is about, what is its importance during the process, whether it is an elimination step, and what the test will look like.

Salary

This is often the thing that interests candidates the most and the one they ask the most about. However, in most situations, it is unfortunately not possible to find out the salary at the very beginning of the process. The interlocutor will mostly ask you in the first round what are your financial expectations and what financial package you would be happy with. While they may not be able to tell you the exact salary at the time, you can always ask them if your expectations fit into the company’s financial budget for the position, as well as pointing out that you are ready to discuss it in more detail in the following rounds.

These are just some of the most common concerns that candidates face. However, this does not mean that all other issues are not welcome or undesirable.

Remember that you will be doing a specific job on a day-to-day basis, at the company you have selected with the team you should fit into, so anything that can help you better understand what is waiting for you – feel free to ask.

There are some topics that should not be discussed during the job interview. Topics such as religion, sexual orientation, nationality, race, political beliefs and other very personal topics should not be the subject of interest of your prospective employer. The reason for this is to protect candidates from discrimination.

Discrimination is unequal treatment of a person because of their personal attribute, which results in inequality in their exercise of rights. Due to personal views and beliefs of an interviewer, candidates may be discriminated based on information that is not related to their knowledge and abilities for the job.

In addition to the topics previously mentioned, issues related to housing and family status are not welcome on the job interview because they are not relevant to the selection process.

Also, questions about marital status, children and pregnancy are not a suitable topic for job interviews.

Another topic that is very sensitive and that your prospective employer should not be aware of is your current salary. Your salary is a matter that should be kept confidential and solely between you and your employer. During a job interview, instead of sharing your current earnings information, talk about your expected salary.

However, before you conclude that a question has been asked with an intention to discriminate you on a personal basis, try to make sure of the interviewer’s intent. It can sometimes be that a person on the other side of a table is inexperienced or even unaware of the discriminatory nature of the questions they ask. People involved in the selection of employees should be aware of the processes and procedures of the selection process, but unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Also, what can be a discriminatory issue for one job may not be for another profession. For example, a question of whether you are a smoker or not is not as relevant for the job of a programmer as it is for the babysitting job.

General Data Protection Regulation (also known as GDPR) prohibits collection and processing of personal data that is not relevant for the business of the company, in this case, the selection process – so be careful not to give too personal statements in the pre-selection questionnaires.

If you find that there is no discriminatory intent behind the question or that the question is asked inadvertently, politely give a brief answer and navigate the topic toward your previous work achievements and other accomplishments that qualify you for the job.

If, however, you happen to be unjustifiably asked a question that does not relate to your work experience and skills, try to subtly point out to the recruiter that some other things are more relevant for the job itself. Remember that you are also in a position to choose, so be free to judge whether you want to work in such a work environment based on the questions and the entire interviewing experience.

Many candidates are not aware that an introductory question “What do you know about our company?” is actually trickier than a lot of others that are suspected to be. It is no secret that employers are flattered when candidates are interested in working at their company. However, this is not the only reason why an answer to this question is important for your adequate representation during an interview. Candidates who briefly describe the business of a company as a response to this question, mention an approximate number of employees and countries in which the company operates, and ideally some specificity about the company itself (awards they received, impressions of their users or articles in which the company is mentioned) will make a good impression even before they start talking about themselves and their work experience. Through this answer, a candidate shows the ability to analyse a large amount of information, conciseness in presentation, responsibility in preparation for an interview, and above all, motivation for a specific role and a particular company.

Describe the ideal company you would like to work in

Before you start looking for a job, think about what kind of company would you like to work for. Striving for perfection is not so practical, but defining a desirable work environment in which you would enjoy working can be helpful while choosing a suitable job ad you want to apply for.

Consider the following:

• Which area of ​​business are you most interested in?
• Do you prefer to work in a smaller or larger team?
• What are your personal values?
• Do you prefer procedures or freedom at work?
• What are other criteria personally important to you while assessing and selecting an employer of choice?

No matter how much you need this job, it is superfluous to invest your time in a job application and then an interview meeting at a company with a location that does not suit you or in a company that requires from you to work in a shift that is not suitable for you. While researching, you might get a sense of a company’s work environment so you could decide if it seems appropriate and stimulating for you.

Collect as much information as possible before applying

Inform yourself about:

• what they do, what industry they operate in and what services or products they provide;
• their clients – whether they are business or private users;
• headquarters and countries in which they have offices;
• their brand – whether it is more corporate, formal or cheerful, informal as it can say a lot about their communication style or dress code of the company;
• awards and/or certificates the company has, etc.

You should do this not only to make a good impression and present yourself as a fit but for your own sake. The selection process is a two-way street, and as employers learn about you through your CV, you should also be informed about relevant details about the company, even before you submit your application.

Where can I find information about a company?

The most formal assessment can be done through the website of the Business Registers Agency, where you can find all the important information about the company, but in the first place, it will help you confirm its validity.

Knowing somebody who already works at that company is an excellent source of information, but you have to be lucky for this one. Be sure to ask your acquaintances and friends if they know anyone who works at that company. You will be surprised how small this world is and how easily you can get in direct contact with a person who works at that company and who can give you first-hand information, but keep in mind that the employee’s impression is still very personal and that it may not be entirely objective.

There are several channels on the Internet through which you can get the information you want:

• Job posting portals – Portals such as Glassdoor provide insight into the impressions of current employees as well as those who have left the company. Unfortunately, people who are dissatisfied leave comments on the internet more often than those who are satisfied, so consider that when evaluating. Indeed, it is good to know what employees resent to their management before engaging in collaboration.
• Company Website – After reading in detail about the company’s activities and services or products, invest additional time to read “About Us” or “Our Team” pages, where you can learn more about employees. The ideal situation is when the company publicly mentions their values ​​and causes that support because it will be easier for you to discover if they are a match to your personal values.
• Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) – On social networks, companies often write in a slightly more informal manner about their day-to-day activities and events, so you can gain significant insight into the culture, the way they communicate and the atmosphere.

While it is one of the most important factors, salary should by no means be the only reason why you are motivated to work in a company. Short term, a higher salary can be a major incentive, but later on, it always turns out that if you are doing a job that is not fulfilling, in an environment that is unpleasant or is not encouraging you to progress, so it is not a good choice in the long run.

Take an opportunity to create an image of the company as a future employer in advance, and if you like their culture and values, you will inevitably show a genuine desire on the interview and thus gain the sympathy of the employer and place yourself among the top candidates.

Graduating from university is often one of the most beautiful moments in young people’s lives, and it also marks the beginning of a new chapter that can carry many doubts and ambiguities with it that are rarely talked about.

Searching for a job can be an exhausting process that often requires a lot of time, investment and persistence. During this process, we are generally not taught what it means to look for a job properly and how to do it. We are simply expected to find a job.

In the following lines, we will cover in more detail the common mistakes that can occur during this process with an idea to make it easier.

Not answering the phone

In the HR world, it is not uncommon for applicants to apply for a job advertisement and never answer the phone afterwards. When you apply for a job in any way (job search portal, e-mail, LinkedIn, etc.) you can expect that if you meet the requirements of the job ad, there is a possibility that you will be invited for an interview. Of course, you will not be expected to be available 24/7, but it would be advisable that if you have a missed call on your phone, to return that call, as it may be that this step brings you closer to finding a job. Alternatively, you can always send a message saying that you were not able to respond at that time and when you will be available again.

Interview/test delay

The rule that a 15-minute academic delay is just fine may not be the best option to apply while looking for a job. It is important to know that the interviewer has set aside a specific time to interview you (30-60 minutes mostly) and that there are often scheduled several more interviews and meetings after you. This means that if you are late you will be in a situation where the interviewer will not have enough time to devote to you, and you may not be able to present yourself in the best possible way. Therefore, make sure you also include the time you need to get to the location where an interview will take place in preparation for an interview. Also, consider potential roadworks, bus route changes, or changes in weather (rain, snow, etc.) that may affect the time required to arrive for an interview.

In case you are late, make sure you call the person you have an interview with, in order to inform them about the approximate time of your arrival.

Failure to fulfil an agreement

If you agree on the interview to do something (e.g. send an updated CV, supporting documentation, portfolio, etc.) it is very important that you comply with that. In this way, an interviewer can plan the further course of the selection process and arrange additional steps with a hiring manager or other colleagues participating in the process. Also, by fulfilling what you have promised, you reinforce the positive impression you have made on the interview and influence trust-building with an interviewer.

Not showing up on the interview

With being late, this is one of the more common situations that recruiters face. By not attending an interview, you can easily be characterized as an irresponsible person, and if you apply on another job ad again, it is likely that you will never be invited again.

What candidates often forget is that they are evaluated by interviewers from the very beginning, from the first telephone conversation until the moment the final candidate has been chosen. Accordingly, do not forget that it is crucial to leave a good impression until the very end, and also that these are the small steps to build a good reputation in the labour market.

Congratulations! Being invited to lunch means that you have reached the finals of the selection process. If a potential employer decided to invite you to lunch, it means that you have made an excellent impression so far and that they are seriously considering offering you a position within the team.

This is not an uncommon thing that employers decide to invite finalists to a more informal meeting – over a coffee or meal, especially when their team is small, or the position is high. A less formal and strict meeting is good for both sides as it allows them to discuss topics they probably would not discuss during a standard interview, and thus be able to get to know each other better on a personal level and to evaluate if their cooperation would be beneficial. Interests and hobbies are often topics of this kind of interview, and it makes it is easier to create a more accurate picture of the person sitting across the table based on their attitudes and non-verbal communication.

Since valuable opportunities like informal meeting before establishing the cooperation rarely occur in one’s career, it is normal for you to have jitters. As anxiety can contribute to things going the wrong way during such meetings, here are some tips to help you:

Preparation

As for any other kind of job interview – good preparation is half the success. That is why it is imperative to set aside enough time before this meeting to get informed and make this step in selection process easier for yourself – for many this kind of meeting can be much more stressful than a regular office meeting, as it represents stepping outside the comfort zone.

Study the job ad and remember the key points regarding your responsibilities as well as your qualifications so that you could mention that in the conversation and draw attention to yourself as a good choice.

Be up to date with innovations from your profession, read daily news so that you can start a conversation and avoid awkward silence. However, remember that you are in a business meeting, and some topics such as religion or politics are not appropriate.

You can find a good conversation topic on your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile, so if you are notified in advance of the person that will join you, visit their profile and find common interests.

Make sure you are informed of the meeting location so you could plan your departure time and avoid being late. Also, if you have an opportunity, flip through the menu in advance so you can order quickly and thoughtfully.

Choosing Food and Drink

As the primary goal of this meeting is to get to know the other party more closely, and enjoying the food and drink comes sideways, do not drag out too much when ordering. Be careful, because if it takes you too long to make an order, you can give an impression of a slow decision-maker, so it is a good idea to think ahead.

Do not go to a meeting too hungry, as an empty stomach can make you feel even more nervous, but do not go to the meeting completely satiated so that you be respectful to the invitee.

‘Play safe’ – order foods that you can easily eat (spaghetti with red sauce and similar dishes can be a bit tricky), and for drinks, it is only appropriate to order a non-alcoholic refreshment, while you should politely refuse alcohol even if the other party offers you.

Etiquette

Do not forget your manners. Be kind to the staff, take care of your eating habits and make sure that you stay neat. If you arrive early, check with the other party if they have booked a table where you could settle, otherwise wait outside the entrance until the other party arrives. Although the atmosphere is more relaxed during a meal or drink, keep an eye out – too casual clothes and heavy makeup can have a negative effect on the overall impression you give. Of course, at the end of the interview, be sure to thank the other party for their time and meal/drink.

Check, please!

It is kind of you to offer to pay the bill, and this can certainly help to reinforce a positive opinion of you. However, be assured that in most situations your prospective employer will have this cost in mind in advance since they have invited you.

Talk about the things you are passionate about, show a genuine desire for the position and the company and listen well to your interviewer. Take the opportunity to evaluate whether you would like to work together and enjoy the meeting, as this is most likely the last step after which you may receive the offer you have longed for.