Yay, an invitation to a job interview. The joy is great. But then the first doubts start to creep in: Don't make any mistakes! If you consider a few aspects, you will master every job interview.
Preparation
To avoid unnecessary stress, you should prepare yourself well. Therefore, start by researching the company in detail. Make sure that you can answer questions about the company and its products well. It sounds trivial, but it's still important! Regardless of whether your interview is conducted in person or digitally.
You should also arrange everything organizational: Plan your journey and allow for enough of a buffer. Nothing will stress you out as much as a traffic jam or a delayed train. Your outfit should match the company. Find out about the company's dress code. Make sure that your clothes are clean and tidy and that you feel comfortable. If you wear clothes that make you feel dressed up, it will be more difficult to present yourself. Pack a notepad so that you can take notes during the interview if necessary. Again, these are basics that you've probably heard before - but we can't emphasize them enough!
Our tip: Perhaps you can even find out who exactly your contact person is? By researching career platforms such as LinkedIn or Xing, you can find out the background and interests of your contact person. Perhaps you will find something in common that you can incorporate into the interview later!
Online job interviews: Here's what to consider
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, around 80% of employers have switched their application processes to video interviews1. You no longer need to worry about your journey, but you do need to consider a few technical details to prepare: Try out the camera and microphone, check the background and framing, keep the connection as stable as possible and avoid interference from family members, outside noise or ringing phones.
Also familiarize yourself with the video platform. You will need a Google account for Google Meet, Zoom can be installed locally on your computer for a more stable connection, and what was your password for Teams or WebEx again? Register with your full name and check your user names of old accounts if necessary. If you are registered on Skype with Pauliiiiiinchen123 and join the call that way, this will quickly look unprofessional.
Always have an external microphone ready and find out how you can join the meeting by phone in an emergency. It is also worth finding out the telephone number of your contact person in advance (have a look in your email signature!) so that you are on the safe side even in the event of internet problems.
In conversation
Do not underestimate the first phase of the conversation and therefore also the small talk at the beginning. This phase of the conversation can already be decisive. So be personable. Tip: A smile can put everyone at ease. You can accept any drinks offered. Still water in particular can help with a dry throat.
Pay attention to your body language throughout the conversation. Be attentive, respond to eye contact and behave as naturally as possible. The recruiters want to get to know your personality during the interview. So be credible, honest and don't pretend. Anything else will be noticed very quickly by trained recruiters. In addition to your professional suitability, they want to find out whether you fit into the team as a person. The following applies in all situations: stay calm and don't let "nasty" questions put you off your stride. You can take your time before answering and ask if you don't understand a question.
In your self-presentation, get to the point and speak freely. You can prepare this part of the interview well at home. You should be able to talk about yourself and your career in a relaxed manner for one to two minutes.
The end of the conversation and farewell
If you are asked to ask your questions at the end, do not say no. Ask questions that have not yet been answered during the interview and emphasize your interest in the company and the position. You should not feel that you have to feign interest and ask questions - there is certainly something that would really interest you. For example, you can ask what your future team would look like, in which areas you can use foreign languages or what the corporate culture is like.
Stay professional until the end. Even after the actual interview, don't get caught up in chit-chat without hesitation. Don't forget to say thank you and clarify the next deadlines. Your conversation only ends when you have left the company premises.
Source:
E-fellows.net, 2020, n > 1.000.
