1. List: How to prepare for the job interview?
With the right preparation, you will be more confident and have an edge over other applicants. This checklist will help you.
Arrival: Where is the company located?
Dress code: How would I like to present myself?
Documents: Which documents are relevant for the interview?
Research: What should I know about the company?
Interview: What can I prepare for him?
Salary: What is my desired salary?
Questions: What would I like to know about the company/position?
2. The correct dress code
Jeans or suit? Black and white or color? Interview attire is essential to a professional first impression. Do not limit yourself to classic combinations with a suit or white blouse, black jacket.
Above all, you should feel comfortable in your clothes and at best give a sign: “This interview is important to me”.
To find out which outfit suits you best, you can take an example from the image of the company (social media, website, etc.). If you’re not sure, dress more smartly than too casually.
3. 15 Common Interview Questions
Lying during an interview will make you blush, look insecure, or immediately grab the interviewer’s attention. Use honest answers to be convincing during the interview.
These 15 questions are frequently asked during job interviews:
1. What intrigued you about this position?
2. What do you know about our company?
3. Do you wish to continue your education?
4. Why should we choose you?
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What 3 things are you particularly good at and what 3 things do you need extra training in?
6. Why did you choose this field of study/education?
7. Which of your previous experiences do you think is relevant for this position?
8. Professional Insights: What things would you like to change when you change companies? What is particularly important to you in your work?
9. How do you deal with stress or conflict situations?
10. Are you willing to work overtime? If so, to what extent?
11. Do you prefer to work from home office or in an office?
12. Where do you see yourself in five years?
13. What motivates you?
14. Tell us about a bad decision you made. What were the consequences and what did you learn?
15. Soft skills: How do you handle criticism?
What are your steps when an important project threatens to fail? Do you prefer talking or acting? What role do you take in group work?If you don’t want to answer a very personal or critical question during the interview, that’s your right. Discuss the situation before you get angry or have to maintain a system of lies for the next few years.
4. How do I know if the interview went well?
The average length of job interviews is between 30 and 60 minutes. If your interview goes on longer than the scheduled time, that’s usually a good sign.
You do not necessarily fall into the group of rejected candidates if the scheduled interview is postponed for personal reasons or due to illness. As unpleasant as it may be, look the situation in the eye and ask for a new interview date instead of hastily withdrawing your application.
5. 12 tips for the job interview
1. Be yourselves
2. Treat everyone in the company as your partner
3. Try to stay calm despite your nervousness
4. Greet the interviewer politely
5. Express self-confidence through your body language
6. Answer in a few complete sentences
7. Find a balance between speaking and listening carefully
8. Show interest in the future position
9. Ask the employer questions
10. Ask about your future teammates
11. Ask when you can expect a response from them
12. Always maintain friendly eye contact
Did you know that the ideal duration of continuous eye contact is 3.3 seconds? Then it quickly becomes uncomfortable for the other person, or one of them just can’t hold it anymore.
6. Are the printed application documents still distributed?
They are left at the office and never seen again!
Be prepared for unexpected situations and always bring a printed resume, cover letter and references to the interview.
7. How to be convincing during an online interview
The most important prerequisite for a successful video interview is a quiet and undisturbed place. Choose your outfit as if it were a face-to-face conversation, look at the camera and don’t be embarrassed by technical issues.
8. 10 questions you can ask employers
1. What tasks can I expect in this position?
2. Who is my direct supervisor?
3. What expectations do you have of me?
4. How would you describe the company culture?
5. What challenges will I face?
6. What does a typical workday look like?
7. Which employees/departments will I work with?
8. How long will the onboarding stage take?
9. Is a trial day at the company possible?
10. Why is the position available?
Are you nervous? Keep a pen in your hand during the call. This way, you will avoid uncontrollable waving and eliminate your insecurities.
9. Errors affecting the final result of the job interview
“The interview went well anyway. Why did I get another rejection?”
Sometimes it’s the little things that make or break a job. You should avoid these stumbling blocks at all costs:
- You are late for the job interview
- You specify salary requirements right from the start
- You are not interested in the field of activity
- You express your requests for time off during the first interview
- You criticize former employers
- You tug at your clothes nervously
10. Another rejection? Why companies give up on candidates
Compensating for a lack of qualifications with a confident appearance? This list shows how candidates are most often thrown out of the race during job interviews.
- You do not fit the position profile, lack of professional competence
- Detachment, closedness during the interview
- Lack of interest in the company/job position
- Unconvincing first impression
- You speak negatively about previous employers
- Unpunctuality (and you don’t see it as a problem)
- You do not admit your own mistakes and weaknesses
- Uncertain, nervous look
- You talk all the time, you don’t let others have their say
The first impression during the job interview is remembered for the longest time. If the beginning is uncertain, the prospects of getting the job are quite slim.
11. What happens after the job interview?
The job interview went well. So far so good. Now it all depends on the interviewer’s reaction.
- Thank you, we will contact you!
Two days after the agreed deadline, you still haven’t heard back? Contact the company directly and ask if a decision has already been made.
- You got the position!
You should contact the company by phone within one week at the latest. If you wait too long, you should expect that the position is already taken.
Despite careful consideration, do you still feel uncertain about your decision? Ask for a trial day at the company. This will give you a better idea of what to expect in your new job and help you make first contacts with potential colleagues.
