Are you preparing for an upcoming interview? To help guide you through the process, we’ve asked five recruiters to share their best interviewing advice.
Recruiting Team Lead David Chapman joined Gartner in 2019. He has more than 10 years of recruiting experience in the U.K. and Australia. Currently, he recruits Sales associates across Gartner’s Global Technology Sales (GTS) and Global Business Sales (GBS) teams. Here’s his advice to candidates interviewing at Gartner:
- Always ask questions. An interview is a two-way conversation. Asking insightful questions can initiate the conversation, help you understand what it’s like to work for the organization and showcase your business-level acumen.
For questions that will help you stand out, read this blog before your next interview.
- Think critically and be concise. Take your time to understand the purpose of the question so you can better tailor your answers. Being sharp and clear is more effective than providing more information.
Senior Recruiter Samantha Petrovski has been a Gartner Sales recruiter for more than three years. In her words, “I have sourced, coached and guided candidates through the recruitment process to secure their dream jobs.” Now, she’s giving you the same advice she gave her candidates:
- Be coachable. A key trait for sales associates is their ability to accept feedback. Gartner prides itself on being a feedback-driven organization. Those who succeed at the highest levels tend to be those who seek feedback throughout every stage of their career — including the interview process.
- Build rapport. It goes without saying that you should always strive to make a positive impression in interviews. You can achieve this through strong eye contact, active listening and body language, which enables you to show your personality.
Senior Recruiter Abhilasha Sharma joined Gartner in 2021 as a recruiter for Gartner Digital Markets (GDM), as well as our Marketing and Communications, and Consulting teams. As someone who enjoys connecting with candidates with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of interests, this is her advice to you:
- Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to share your passion with your interviewers. Also, be clear and concise about what motivates you. This helps the hiring team picture you as a member of the team.
- Understand the role. Review the job description, and align your skills and experience to the requirements. This will not only help you succeed in the interview, but in the role.
Senior University Recruiter Anne Heinzl joined Gartner in 2019. Based in Barcelona, Spain, she has more than seven years of recruiting experience. Here’s her advice:
- Come prepared. Familiarize yourself with Gartner and our values, review the job description as much as possible and research the hiring team via LinkedIn.
Pro tip: Sending a short message before your interview can help you stand out from the competition.
To jump-start your interview preparation, read these three blogs:
- Ask for feedback. Regardless of the outcome of your interview, you can always improve your interviewing skills. Remember, Gartner prides itself on being a feedback-driven organization, so recruiters are always happy to provide commentary.
Courtney Williams joined Gartner in 2021. At the time, she was recruiting marketing associates across GDM and Corporate Marketing Teams globally. With more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition, she is now a Manager for Recruiting Programs. Here’s the advice she gives candidates:
- Do your research. Who is Gartner? What do we do? What interests you most about the company?
These are questions you should consider while researching Gartner because it will give you the ability to showcase your interest during the interview effectively.
- Don’t give up. At Gartner, we are committed to identifying the best talent for each role and team. That’s why it’s important to keep an open mind as you progress through the interview process.
If you don’t get an offer for the first opportunity, consider yourself one step closer to joining now that you’ve met some of our Recruiting team, which can lead you to your ideal role.