Convince in the interview

The interview is a major hurdle for many applicants. We’ll tell you how to convince your potential employer/ Convince in the interview.

If you ‘re invited for an interview , it means you’ve already taken the first step. Now it is important to attract attention and to confirm the interest of the personnel officer. It is therefore helpful if you know all the relevant information on this topic.

What is the job interview for?

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

What is the optimal preparation for an interview?

In addition to appropriate clothing, you should find out about the company you are applying to beforehand. Also, there are 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 did you apply to our company exactly? / What do you know about our company?
Why do you think you are the best fit for the position?

Could you please briefly summarize your professional career / tell us a little about yourself?
What are your particular strengths (and less often: weaknesses)?
What salary expectations do you have?

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

Thorough preparation also includes planning your journey so that you will be on time for your appointment.

If the position requires a very good command of English, you should practice conducting an interview in English.

“If, on the other hand, special tests such as concentration tests are carried out, it is best to train them in advance on the Internet. They are mainly carried out on 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 for an interview?

“The clothes in the interview should be elegant and restrained overall. The company’s website provides an indication of which clothing is suitable.”

“Simply orientate yourself on the clothing style of the employees depicted there. Well-polished shoes and clean, wrinkle-free clothing are a must for every choice.”

Who conducts the interview?

Usually one to three people sit across from you . These can be representatives of the HR department, department heads or direct supervisors. Occasionally, a future colleague will also sit in on the conversation. 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 interview?

The success of the interview does not only depend on professional qualifications. Above all, the overall picture has to be right . Prepare yourself well for your self-presentation, stay authentic and substantiate your answers with examples. A description only appears realistic if not just facts are strung together. Describe how you have used your skills in the workplace in the past. Specifically address knowledge and skills that are relevant to the position you are aiming for.

“Make sure to keep it short and not create tapeworm sentences with enthusiasm that your audience cannot follow. The reason why you want to work for this company and in this position is particularly important. You should have the job posting in mind and know the company’s website. You should also know important details about the operation such as locations or international contacts. However, it is more relevant that you express why you are the ideal candidate for the open position.”

Do I have to take certain tests at the interview?

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

What are the recruiter’s tricks in job interviews?

“It can happen that you are asked so-called stress questions during the interview. An example would be “You haven’t convinced us yet! Please explain to us exactly why we should hire you.” Such questions are used to test the applicants’ soft skills . The main thing is to remain calm and to demonstrate communication skills and resilience. HR officers try to make you feel insecure 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 with “Yes, please”. Even if the overall situation seems “buddy”, you shouldn’t reveal here if you are a smoker. The suspicion would quickly arise that many additional breaks are required.”

Should you lie in the interview?

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

“If you are in the CV have filled a gap with unemployment through volunteering, please stay in the job interview in this version. This will not cause you or the company any damage in the employment relationship. However, you should be able to present your gap in a credible manner , i.e. be able to provide answers to questions.”

What do I ask in the interview?

Your own questions in the interview are mandatory. They express the applicant’s interest. Therefore, in the last part of the conversation, this is usually asked directly. Technical questions such as precise work processes are particularly welcome here . The question of a visit to the workplace or a trial working day is also useful. On the other hand, the demand for additional benefits or overtime reduction is unfavorable.

How long do interviews last?

“The duration of a conversation can be very different. It can take up to an hour or be significantly shorter. However, the length does not always have something 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 the interview?

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

“In no case 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 note that you are very nervous at the moment and that you have no words. Interrupting your conversation partner also generally makes a bad impression.