Would you get 10 out of 10 in this job interview? Complete the test and find out!

Did you know that in the current job market, who you are is worth more than what you have? Nowadays, most companies have realised that recruiting talent means getting to know people beyond their job titles and work experience, also known as hard skills. 

Hence the current focus on soft skills, in other words, the transversal competencies applicable to any field, sector or environment. In fact, according to The Global Skills Shortage report by SHRM, the most in-demand soft skills—as well as the scarcest—are problem solving, critical thinking, innovation and creativity (37%), the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity (32%) and communications (31%). 

This need has changed the way companies approach a candidate from the first moment of contact, affecting interview methodologies in particular.  For example, going over a CV is no longer a priority—rather, what matters now is everything the CV doesn't say, be it experiences, examples or anecdotes that give you a distinctive edge.

However, reaching the interview stage is not always easy, because you have to get past the first hurdle: scrutinising CVs and various pre-selection tests. The fact is there's a lot at stake during this first appointment, that's why it's essential to be prepared. 

Do you think you could pass this stage of the recruitment process with high marks? Below you will find a quick and simple test with some of the most frequently-asked questions. The aim is for you to prepare your best response for each of these and discover your chances of success. In this way, you can correct areas that can still be improved and thus achieve the desired results.

Test Instructions

Follow the instructions below to complete this careers test and decipher the results:

1. Carefully read each of the questions and answers then choose the response you identify with the most. Don't overthink things—your natural response will automatically come to you.
2. Once you have replied to these 10 questions, count how many times you have replied with each of the letters, A, B, C or D.
3. When you have identified which letter is most often repeated in your answers, go to the end of the test.
4. At the end of the test, you'll see the interpretation of the results, and discover whether you would pass the interview.

Results

Mostly As

Your answers tend to be standard and formal, meaning you normally create a good first impression. However, at the same time, your replies might come across as too predictable and generic. 

If you want to stand out as a candidate, you should avoid this pattern of responses, as it will pigeonhole you as ‘just another candidate’. You might even give the wrong impression, as though you just want to please others. It's likely the interviewer will ask all candidates the same questions, but expect different responses from each of them. So, standing out is down to you: you decide the added value you bring.

Mostly Bs

You have a natural and spontaneous communicative style, which gives you a touch of originality and may spark curiosity. However, your honesty and transparency can sometimes be seen as a lack of maturity or excessive informality. Remember that you are being assessed for a job and you want to highlight your professional qualities, without getting into personal details or anecdotes. 

You need to balance your authenticity with the demands of the role. It's important to manage your expectations of the job and be clear about what they're looking for, presenting yourself in line with this.

Mostly Cs

Your answers are direct and offer valuable information to the interviewer, thanks to examples and details. Despite being prepared for this moment, you still come across as natural. You are able to respond to both generic questions and more concrete ones, identifying the strategies underpinning each question and providing the necessary information for each. 

This means you are able to satisfy the interviewer's needs while also getting information for yourself to analyse later on. More than speaking about yourself, you are speaking about what you can do, with the focus on the future. Moreover, everything you say and do is based on your values, what makes you really unique.

Mostly Ds

You like having an advantage and that comes across in your answers. You tend to answer questions with new questions or turn the question around to steer it where you want to go. You handle conversations deftly but remember—you're not the interviewer. 

In fact, this attitude might get you into trouble because you are judged to come across as arrogant or pushy. If the interviewer is also skilful, you risk being subjected to an interview under pressure, one where you feel uncomfortable.

Identify your potential and enhance your chances

Now you know where you stand when it comes to your next interview! However, don't forget these simple steps for before, during and after the interview:

• Before: research the company in question on official channels and gather information about its achievements, mission, vision and values to identify areas you have in common with its culture.
• During: don't choose the most 'correct' answer, because that's probably the most common one. Choose your words wisely and add real, personal examples.
• After: follow up on your application and don’t hold back from participating or moving forward in other recruitment procedures while you wait.

But above all, if your nerves get the better of you at any time, remember that communication is the basis of all relationships: focus on the flow and fostering of a climate of trust. 

If you want to continue to explore resources and opportunities, Santander Bank—as part of its contribution to helping people and businesses progress and take on the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution—is spearheading the Santander Open Academy site, a global, unique and pioneering programme that offers opportunities in training, employability and entrepreneurship to professionals and students alike.

To fulfil its commitment to higher education, Santander Bank is offering 400 scholarship programmes in collaboration with over 1000 universities and institutions of global renown, supporting you —through continuous learning, professional recycling and additional training—to develop professional, linguistic, digital or transversal skills to enhance your employability.

If you'd like to join the over 75,200 people who have already committed to training as a way to ensure their skills match market needs, check out the Santander Open Academy website and leverage your competencies to give your career a boost. Are you going to miss this opportunity?