Every interviewer is different, but regardless of the industry, it is essential to look beyond the technical skills of each candidate. Soft skills are just as important as professional (technical) skills. If professional skills can be trained, social skills are an inherent part of character and are difficult to acquire in the workplace.
MichelinIn their recruitment processes, employers assess the basic, measurable technical skills and personal skills. The latter are more difficult to measure according to a scale, but they are observable; during the interview, the recruiter evaluates them as they are a predictor of your way of working and of your future interaction with the team members.
We asked three specialists from our recruitment team about the things they want to see in an interview, depending on the level of experience of the candidates. Here are their insight, which can guide you to prepare for an interview.
If you are at the beginning of your career, during the interview I would like to see curiosity, the desire to find out some basic information about our company, such as our activity, culture or values. I’m looking to see if you are a good listener, if you’re motivated, eager to learn and to develop.
Anca Bumbaru, Recruiter, Michelin Corporate & Business ServicesIf you have accessed the employer's website, it is not necessary to memorize the financial results; the recruiter just wants to see what are the things that caught your eye and you remember.
It is important to know the position for which you are applying, to be able to say how the job advertisement caught your attention and why you are interested in a certain field of activity. Ask questions, because you can find additional information that will help you make the final decision.
Look carefully at the interlocutor, give him/her time to ask questions and really listen. Adopt an understanding attitude, approve with a nod, maintain eye contact, and, if the interview is online, look into the camera.
Organizations are constantly changing, so it will be good for you to show that you have learned from past experiences, that you are interested in acquiring new skills, or that you want to improve those already accumulated.
When I interview a specialist, I look for interpersonal skills, communication, teamwork, problem solving and, last but not least, a positive attitude.
Roxana Mares, Recruitment Responsible, Victoria Tire Plant
In a recruitment interview with a specialist, we want to see a well-prepared person, who has the right attitude and is willing to adapt and meet the challenges ahead.
Monica Dragan, Recruiter, Zalau Tire PlantIf you already gained experience and you are a specialist in your field of activity, in addition to technical skills, the recruiter wants to see interpersonal skills in the interview. These will be a predictor of interpersonal relationships, how you manage various situations at work and how you will collaborate with your colleagues and partners.
Communication, problem solving, responsibility, assertiveness or decision making will always be appreciated by recruiters, regardless of the role you are applying for. Choose practical examples to highlight them, provide details about the situation, the tasks performed, the actions taken to solve the problem and their outcome.
When selecting a manager, the top three skills I want to find are: focus on passionately growing people, result orientation and leading by personal example.
Laura Suciu, Recruitment Coordinator, Michelin ECS Group ServicesFor a new manager to be able to successfully coordinate a team, we are looking for a multitude of skills, and in the current context, attention to team members is particularly important. You must show that you are a good listener, that you have empathy and the ability to help others develop professionally. A manager will inspire others through attitude, actions, communication and feedback. These leadership qualities become intrinsic practices that build commitment, growth, productivity and success in a positive environment.
