Job Interview

The interview is not an oral exam where x points for a correct answer are at stake. The employer is interested in you, otherwise he would not have invited you. So conduct a confident interview at eye level and convince them with your professional and personal skills. We explain what really lies behind typical questions and how you can best prepare for the interview.

This is what the interview is about

There are certain basic questions that employers want to clarify with the help of your answers. The questions are usually not asked so directly, but that's what it's all about for the employer:

  • Why are you applying here? What is your motivation for wanting to work here in particular?
  • Are you able to bring us forward in terms of content/expertise?
  • Do you fit well into the team? Do you fit in with the company/institution?
  • What distinguishes you from other applicants who have very similar skills?

Preparations

  • Your expertise that matches the position you want is an essential qualification for getting the job. To best promote yourself, you need to know exactly which of your qualifications are in high demand with the employer and include examples of these in your answers.
  • You need to know where you are so you can present yourself in the best possible way there! Educate yourself well about the employer and the industry. Work through the employer's home page and find as much information as you can. You don't have to know everything by heart, and you certainly don't have to simply recite memorized facts in an interview. But you should give the best possible prepared impression.
  • Current issues may well be part of the interview, especially if it is related to the industry or the employer. Therefore, before an interview, carefully read upon current world events.
  • Read articles on job interview standard questions - but not to memorize supposedly correct answers, but to be prepared for the type of questions! This way, you can minimize the risk of not being able to do anything with a question, even though you could actually give a suitable answer.

Examples on current issues:

  • For example, if you are applying to a company whose direct competitor was acquired by a foreign corporation the previous week, you should know about it.
  • If you are applying in an area of work where there are changes due to a new legal situation, then you should be informed about this.

Procedure

Job interviews can be very different: The length of the interview, the number of interviewers and the way in which the interview is conducted can vary greatly, and in some cases practical exercises are integrated into the interview. Employers inevitably have to choose between several, often equally qualified, candidates. Try to minimize general phrases that tell the employer nothing about your knowledge, skills, experience, qualifications, ideas, or motivation appropriate to the position.

Basically, the same applies in the interview as in the cover letter: Name your qualifications through examples/closer explanations and not wordiness! You can weave in goals, obstacles, solutions or even figures well here, these are gladly heard by recruiters.

Empty words

"I always approach my work with high motivation and am very reliable. It's important to me to always give my best, reliability and motivation are my particular strengths."

A meaningful example

"I have been confronted with problem Y in situation X and I have done Z to solve it."

Especially when justifying the salary requirement, such an approach is essential. Only with suitable examples can you justify why the employer should pay you X euros in annual salary.

At the end of the interview, the question is often asked: "Do you still have questions for us?" Here you can once again prove your motivation and interest by asking interesting questions. Think of appropriate questions before the interview. It's best to have several, in case your planned question happens to have already been the topic of the interview. Answers such as: "You have already given me comprehensive answers to all open questions" are not recommended.