Convince in the interview

The job interview is a major hurdle for many applicants. We tell you how to convince your potential employer.

If you’ve been invited to an interview , it means you’ve already taken the first step. It is now a matter of attracting positive attention and confirming the interest of the personnel officer. It is therefore helpful if you know all the relevant information on this topic.

What is the purpose of the interview?

The purpose of the interview is to get to know the applicant personally . It is checked whether the company and the applicant fit together and whether the applicant corresponds to the content of his application letter.

What is the best way to prepare for an interview?

In addition to wearing appropriate clothing, you should find out in advance about the company you are applying to. There are also some questions that are asked in almost every job interview. So you can prepare your answers in advance. Here are some examples of typical interview questions:

Why exactly did you apply to our company? / What do you know about our company?
Why do you think you are the best person for the position?

Can you please briefly summarize your professional career for us / tell us a little bit about yourself?
What are your particular strengths (and more rarely: weaknesses)?
What salary expectations do you have?

Since these questions are asked frequently, an awkward silence would be particularly unfortunate. It is therefore best to test your answers with another person, for example friends or family . If you are unsure about the salary, you can research in advance what amount is usual in your industry and with your professional experience.

Thorough preparation also includes planning your arrival so that you arrive on time for your appointment.

If the position requires very good English skills, you should practice interviewing in English.

If, on the other hand, special tests such as concentration tests are carried out, it is best to practice them on the Internet in advance. They are mainly used for longer appointments. So if you are invited to an interview lasting several hours, there is definitely the possibility of such a test.

What do I wear to the interview?

Clothing for the interview should be elegant and reserved overall. The company’s website provides an indication of which clothing is suitable .

Just look at the clothing style of the employees shown there. However, shined shoes and clean, wrinkle-free clothing are mandatory for every election.

Who conducts the interview?

Usually one to three people sit across from you . This can be representatives of the human resources department, department heads or direct superiors. Occasionally a future colleague joins in the conversation. However, the total staffing depends on the size of the company. In smaller companies, the owner usually conducts the conversation alone.

How do I conduct a successful job interview?

The success of the job interview does not only depend on professional qualifications. Above all, the overall picture has to be right . Prepare yourself well for your self-presentation, remain authentic and back up your answers with examples. A description is only realistic if not only facts are lined up. Describe how you have used your skills at work in the past. Be specific about knowledge and skills that are relevant to the desired position.

Be sure to keep it brief and don’t get excited about creating tapeworm sentences that your audience won’t be able to follow. It is also particularly important to state why you want to work for this company and in this position. You should have the job posting in mind and be familiar with the company’s website. You should also know important details about the company, such as locations or foreign contacts. However, it is more relevant that you express why you are the best person for the open position.

Do I have to take certain tests at the interview?

In fact, the entire job interview is a test. In addition to the professional qualifications, the applicant’s way of expression is put to the test. Foreign language or IT tests are the most common. In addition, intelligence tests, concentration or personality tests are occasionally used in the application process.

What are the tricks of the recruiter in job interviews?

It can happen that you are asked so-called stress questions in the interview. An example would be “You haven’t convinced us yet! Please tell us why we should hire you.” Such questions test the soft skills of the applicants. It is primarily about staying calm and demonstrating strong communication skills and resilience. So recruiters try to unsettle you with these questions.

Another strategy is to convey a particularly open- minded atmosphere in which the applicant forgets to pay attention to the bigger picture. So it can quickly happen that when asked whether you would like to smoke a cigarette at the end, you answer “Yes, of course”. Even if the overall situation seems “chummy”, one should not reveal here if one is a smoker. The suspicion quickly arose that many additional breaks were needed.

Should you lie in an interview?

Lying about qualifications does not benefit either side. Since a trial period is usually part of the employment relationship, false information is usually quickly exposed – or later leads to termination without notice. However, minor untruths can occasionally be useful in the job interview.

If you have filled a gap in your CV with unemployment through volunteer work, please stick to this version in the job interview. This will not cause any damage to you or the company in the employment relationship. However, you should be able to present your gap credibly, i.e. be able to answer questions.

What do I ask in the interview?

You are required to ask your own questions in the interview. They express the interest of the applicant. Therefore, in the last part of the conversation, it is usually asked directly. Technical questions, such as precise work processes , are particularly welcome here . It also makes sense to ask about a visit to the workplace or a trial day. On the other hand, the demand for additional services or the reduction of overtime is unfavourable.

How long do job interviews last?

The duration of a conversation can be very different. It can take up to an hour or much less. However, the length does not always have anything to do with the quality of the conversation – if the interest on both sides is clear and everything fits, a decision can be made in as little as twenty minutes .

What are the dos and don’ts in a job interview?

A neat overall picture is a must. In addition to successful answers, this includes punctuality and appropriate clothing. Be sure to show interest in the position and the company . Asking your own questions, listening attentively and always maintaining eye contact also conveys a committed impression. If you are offered a drink at the beginning of the conversation, accept the offer with thanks.

Under no circumstances should you go into a job interview unprepared. Not having an answer to classic application questions is an absolute no-go. Silence would be a grave mistake. If necessary, it is better to say that you are very nervous at the moment and that you are therefore at a loss for words. Interrupting your interlocutor also makes a bad impression.