Like most other things in life, doing well at a job interview requires preparation. This includes:
Researching the employer
Practicing explaining your competences and qualifications
Part of preparing for the job interview is also knowing how to get off to a good start and what to expect at the actual interview:
What type of conversation to expect
Which types of questions to ask or not to ask
Thorough research about the employer combined with preparing your answers for the job interview is key. The more you know about the employer the easier it will be to understand the questions asked at the interview. Make sure that your answers reflect that you have a good understanding of the employer.
Practise your answers
Before the interview make sure to:
For instance, how can you show the employer that you are a ‘fast learner’? Can you think of an experience that can demonstrate this? Say the answers out loud to yourself or write them down.
You can also prepare specifically for frequently asked questions such as:
Answer the questions honestly and in a way that shows the employer who you are. Avoid using platitudes such as “I'm really bad at saying no to assignments”.
The recruiters are particularly interested in finding out about your personal qualities in relation to the job and will typically ask how you cooperate with others. Personality is often valued highly, so be prepared to do a short "pitch" about yourself, your private life, and your interests. You are also welcome to think about your own weaknesses, but without getting too private.
What to ask
Prepare relevant questions that reflect your interest in the employer and the jobs such as “What are some current challenges facing the employer?” "What kind of development opportunities are there?". Avoid asking too many questions about salary, pension, holiday, etc. Show the employer that it is the job and not the salary that you are after.
What to bring
What to wear
The job interview can be seen as a conversation between two parties looking to gain a better understanding of each other. Hopefully, by the end of interview, you will have given the employer a good and real impression of who you are and what you can bring to their company or organization.
7 tips to get off to a good start
How the conversation typically unfolds
1. Welcome and introction
Often a conversation starts with the employer sharing a little about the company. Listen attentively and perhaps show the employer this by asking a follow-up at the end. Make sure not to interrupt the presentation.
2. First questions
The firsts questions the employer asks will typically concern you. A example could be “Tell us about yourself and why you applied for this job”.
3. Next questions
The rest of the conversation and the next questions you will be asked will depend on the specific job and the person interviewing you. The questions can be in the form of fictitious cases or problems that you have to solve. With every answer remember to show it – don’t tell it. This means providing detailed answers with examples based on your experiences.
4. Wrapping up
The employer will wrap up the conversation and give you the opportunity to ask questions. At this point in the interview make sure to keep it short and simple. Avoid asking how many applicants will otherwise be interviewed. You are welcome to ask about the further procedure or whether there will be a further round of interviews.
After the conversation
There are often two rounds of interviews. Sometimes the first round is a kind of screening, where it is mainly the professional competences that are uncovered. At the same time, they assess whether you have a personality that will fit in with the company. In the second round, you will often be asked about your personal and professional skills and preferences in more detail.
Being nervous does not disqualify - if you are feeling nervous