If you are here, that means you are a tech talent with at least four years of experience in your field of work and some impressive coding or managerial skills. In addition to that, what truly makes VanHackers stand out from the rest is their attitude. Today we want to talk to you about how your behavior during the hiring process can make or break your opportunity for an international career.
Ukrainian VanHacker Ievgeniia remembers how unusual she found the hour-long behavioral interview on her hiring process and how different it was from what she was used to in her native country. Being prepared turned out to be essential. “I think you should pay attention to algorithms and data structures and systems design, but behavioral interview preparation is also important and sometimes questions are simple but tricky”, she points out.
The candidate’s attitude matters because while companies need competent people, they are also looking for employees who can get along and make the work environment as pleasant and productive as possible. “They want to understand how you work as a team member. They are looking for people, not robots”, Ievgeniia says.
You can hear Ievgeniia’s story on the VanHack Podcast.
Or you can watch her interview on our YouTube Channel.
What companies evaluate about candidate’s behavior
Camila Ferreira, our Premium Academy Community Manager, lists some of the personal traits and skills recruiters observe during the hiring process:
- Teamwork
- Autonomy
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication
- Learning skills
- Ability to navigate a multicultural work setting
- Critical thinking
In addition to these, Camila says companies also need to assess the candidate’s attitude towards the job and their career in general. That means VanHackers who show a willingness to grow, learn and develop new abilities will have a better chance of landing the job.
What should you pay attention to
Our interview advisor and facilitator for the VanHack Premium Academy Priscila Assumpção says displaying a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity are key to building a good rapport with recruiters.
The way you sit, talk, and smile are important clues to your demeanor and your energy towards the job. Priscila says candidates should:
- Sit upright. Keep your back and shoulders straight.
- Look at the camera and keep eye contact with the recruiter
- Show their hands. You don’t need to move a lot, but don’t be too stiff and tense
How we talk is also very telling of how we are feeling. Sometimes we don’t even notice but small details can be a giveaway of a lack of preparation. For example, didDid you notice people tend to talk too fast when they are nervous? Priscila has some great advice regarding the best way of expressing yourself:
- Put energy in your voice. Maybe you are tired or nervous, but don’t let your speech be low energy, too shy, or quiet. Speak up and with enthusiasm.
- Talk clearly, enunciate a bit and try not to talk too fast or too much.
- Don’t ramble, go straight to the point.
You can learn more about hiring interviews “do”s and “don’t”s here:
https://blog.vanhack.com/blog/job-interview-what-to-do-and-what-not-to-do/
What would be a good fit for you?
The best way to display motivation is to be motivated. Authenticity is your best ally so make sure you are applying to opportunities that are interesting for you. Do the homework and read everything you can about the company. Our interview advisor suggests you look for pictures of the company’s workspace and events. Then, ask yourself, do you see yourself working there?
Starting a new life in a foreign country is a huge undertaking and you don’t want to be stuck in a job that doesn’t meet your expectations or doesn’t fit your personal and professional goals. If you feel more comfortable receiving guidance and contributions from colleagues while performing tasks, you will not be happy in a remote job that requires a lot of autonomy. Companies will take that into account when considering your application and you should too.
What makes you feel productive and happy at work? In which environment does your talent shine the most? If you know your skills and goals, it will be easier to demonstrate them to recruiters. Being clear about what you want and need in terms of work will help you find the best fit for you. Keep in mind that the match between company and employee has to make sense and benefit be beneficial to both parties.
The importance of practicing
The only way to get it right during interviews is to practice. Even experienced candidates benefit from thinking about the questions beforehand and having answers ready. Knowing what you need to say and what kind of impression you want to make helps you feel more confident and in turn, makes the conversation flow a bit easier. It’s not about memorizing a speech and only saying the “right thing”, it’s a way of easing into the process and not “freezing” during the interview.
You will find plenty of resources and services on our platform to help you prepare for behavioral interviews On our platform, you will find plenty of resources and services to help you prepare for behavioral interviews. Our classes cover common interview questions, different techniques, learning & communication skills, and teamwork. This means it will help you succeed in your job interviews and develop an understanding of international recruiting processes. On top of that, you will gain insight into multicultural work ethics, interpersonal communication, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Learn more about how we can help you practice for interviews here: https://blog.vanhack.com/blog/how-the-interview-practice-can-help-you-land-a-job-abroad/
Hack the interview
You can also book a mock interview with one of our specialists to get personalized and immediate interview practice. Our specialists will guide you on one-on-one sessions and help you improve your communications skills with the assistance that is tailored to your needs.
