How to pass a job interview successfully?

An invitation to a job interview is an achievement to be proud of, because it shows that your previous steps have been successful. At the interview, the employer will want to find out more about you and your experience, and how you fit into the job and the team. Keep in mind that a job interview is a two-way meeting, where both parties exchange important information and, based on subsequent analysis, decide whether or not to cooperate.

Job interviews can vary in form, duration, number of participants and content. Sometimes the employer will provide advance information to help you prepare for the interview. If they do not, it is nevertheless important to prepare as thoroughly and intentionally as possible. Well-prepared homework allows you to feel comfortable and confident at a job interview.

What can you do to stand out at a job interview?

  • Find out about the company in depth: what it does, what products or services it offers, what its objectives are, what its market situation is in the sector, etc. If possible, look for information about the company’s values and culture, and think about how they fit in with yours. Sources of information can be the company’s website, articles, press releases, annual reports, social media, people who work or have worked for the company, etc.
  • Take another good look at the job offer and think about how your knowledge, skills and experience match the employer’s expectations and requirements. In addition to what you have already written in your application documents, consider what examples you would like to give to explain your experience and skills, and how you would describe your motivation for the job and the company.
  • Think about how you would answer the questions in the interview and what examples you could give. When formulating and practising your answers, you may find it helpful to use the CAR method (context, action, result), a widely known way of classifying interview responses. To keep your messages clear and your conversation partners’ attention on what you have to say to them, describe briefly:
    • the context and the task you were solving or participating in,
    • the action(s) you took to solve the situation/task,
    • the result you achieved or how your ideas, actions influenced, e.g. the achievement of objectives.
  • Think about what you want to know about the company and prepare questions to ask the employer during the interview. The questions should be detailed enough to show that you have done your homework well and not limit yourself to a superficial approach. For example, you could look at the culture within the company: how communication takes place between different units, how the team has solved problems in the past, how people are managed, how success is measured, etc. It is also worth looking at the team you are most likely to work with, what your conversation partners value most about working in the company, etc.
  • If possible, rehearse the interview situation beforehand. Ask someone to come up with example questions and practise answering them so that you can tell the employer the important things they need to know about you.

  • Be positive and confident. Focus on an optimistic outlook, highlight your valuable learning experiences. A good first impression is important.
  • Express yourself clearly and precisely. Prior practice with the CAR method can help here.
  • Pay attention to your body language. Smile and keep eye contact with everyone you talk to.
  • Be yourself. Employers need a diverse range of people on their teams and you do not need to appear to be someone you are not. Speak clearly and positively about your experiences and strengths. Emphasise your progress and personality while remaining professional.
  • Listen carefully to better understand what you are being asked. From the start of the conversation, your conversation partners will give you information. Use it.
  • Show your interest and enthusiasm in the company and its future direction. Talk about how you can help them achieve the goals they have set themselves and at the same time develop themselves and move towards their dreams.
  • Use an appropriate professional tone of voice in the conversation. Try to avoid slang and colloquial language. While age, religion, race, political and sexual orientation issues should have no place or weight in a job interview, these may come up. Think in advance about how you would feel and how you would react.

  • If you wish, you can send a thank-you email for a meaningful meeting.
  • If necessary, you can add anything you did not say in the interview or reiterate why you want to work for the company.

  • self-sabotage: do not belittle your achievements, knowledge or skills with the phrases “I was only …”, “I only did …”, “I have only worked …”, “I have so little experience so far …”;
  • too much chatter: this tends to happen when you are not prepared enough for the conversation and to answer questions;
  • sounding desperate: you will be better able to convince an employer of your suitability if you remain calm and confident;
  • arrogance as the line between assertiveness, professionalism and modesty is quite faint;
  • over-familiarity: it is important to be rather energetic and enthusiastic, but you are still being interviewed for a job.
Accept Cookies