job interviews

Before the interview

• Prepare for questions your employer could ask, e.g.

Why do you want to work in this job? What are your skills? Why are you the right person for the job?

• Inform yourself about the business or company (general information: online)
• Think about your clothing (not too lazy/sporty but also not too formal)
• Take a shower, brush your teeth, groom your hair & make sure you don’t smell funny
• Take notes on aspects you don’t want to forget
• Be there on time or a bit early
• Inform yourself where to go and how to get there
• Take a deep breath and avoid being nervous (stay calm)

During the interview

• Be polite and stay serious
• Don’t give short answers
• Talk about your strengths
• Don’t use colloquial language
• Don’t think too long about what you’re saying (but think about it)
• Don’t get side-tracked
• Don’t be shy
• Answer questions in a confident as well as an honest way and ask questions yourself
• Consider your way of speaking (not too fast; not too quiet …)
• Avoid interrupting your employer/boss
• NO drinks or food
• (Get up and shake hands when somebody enters the room)

After the interview

• Say “Thank you” and “Goodbye”
• Reflect your experience and try to find out what could be improved
• Wait a reasonable amount of time before trying to contact the employer again
• (Don’t text while in the building etc.)