Job interview dos and don’ts  

Whether it is for an internship, a part-time job or for your first proper job, interviews are a pretty common occurrence for students. But what do you need to watch out for and what are the absolute no-goes?

The nervous wait at the door until you are allowed inside. Who hasn’t experienced that? Most students have already had a number of interviews and are very well versed in this, but others have had barely any experience of this at all. This article is intended to help you gain the confidence to really stand out at your next interview.

Dos

• Info about the job and the company: The be all and end all of perfect preparation is of course to make sure you know a lot about the company. The easiest way to do this is on the internet. What are the company’s current projects and goals? It is also a good idea to know what skills are required for the position because there are bound to be questions about your abilities.
  
  
• Know your own CV: A really good CV shouldn‘t just look good on paper. You will often be asked about your background during the interview, so make sure you know everything you’ve written in your CV so that you can answer questions accurately and explain any gaps if necessary.
  
  
• Practice the most important questions beforehand: Everyone is familiar with those typical questions that come up in every interview: such as, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” or, “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” To make sure you can answer such questions confidently, it’s a good idea to give them some thought to avoid any uncomfortable silences.
  
  
• Clothes matter: It is important to wear suitable clothes, although what is appropriate does of course vary depending on the job. But it is better to be a bit too smart than not smart enough. This shows that you are taking the interview seriously and that making a good first impression is important to you.
  
  
• Be confident: Being confident is just as important as the right body language. Make sure your posture is correct and avoid appearing arrogant or overconfident.

• Punctuality: It is often said that the Germans are real sticklers for punctuality. So don’t be the first one to break this tradition! If you don’t know exactly where you have to go, find out before the day of the interview. This will also ensure that you don’t get lost on the day and help you to better judge how much time you need to get there. If you arrive all hot and bothered you won’t make a good impression and this will just increase your stress levels.
  
  
• Eye contact: Is extremely important. If you want to clearly show the interviewer that you are paying attention, then make sure to look them in the eye. If there is more than one interviewer then try and look at them all equally, don’t just focus on one.
  
  
• Smile and pay attention: A smile doesn’t just make you look friendly, it also makes the entire situation more relaxed. Particularly at the beginning of the interview.
  
  
• Ask questions: Give some thought to what questions you could ask at the end of the interview. Something that you would like to know about the job, the place of work, the team, training opportunities etc. By asking questions you show initiative and make it clear that you are interested.
  
  
• Politeness: If you are offered something to drink then accept it; that is more polite. Water is never a bad idea and if you get nervous it might help to take a sip of water.

 Don’ts

• Don’t arrive too early: I have already mentioned that punctuality is important; but it is not good to arrive too early. The interviewer might feel under pressure and not have time to prepare properly. This can create a negative atmosphere – which is definitely something you should avoid at all costs.
  
  
• Body language: Crossing your arms, gesticulating wildly, or constantly looking from one person to the next are also types of body language that can come across in a negative way. You are showing that you are unsure and uncomfortable and of course you actually want to communicate exactly the opposite.

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No really long sentences: Long-winded ‘chitchat’ without stopping to take a breath is not a good idea. It is important to get to the point. It is normal to be nervous during a job interview and most people have a tendency to talk without thinking about what they want to say. Try and remember to keep your sentences as concise as possible and most importantly: keep breathing :-)
  
  
• Inner turmoil: It is common to be nervous during a job interview. Ultimately, it is similar to sitting an exam. But being nervous can be a disadvantage because it clouds your thoughts. One very effective method to help combat nervousness is to change your attitude. Don’t put yourself under too much pressure and don’t let the expectations of others get to you. Accept that the interview is an opportunity, but that you might not get the job.
  
  
• Conversation: It is not a good idea to interrupt the interviewer. This is not only impolite, it is also disrespectful. It is better to pay attention, listen carefully and answer the questions at the correct moment.
  
  
• Lying: Lying won’t get you far. A job interview is an opportunity for the interviewer to get to know you better. They already have an idea of what you can do from your written CV. That’s why it is better to make a good impression and not tell tales. People who hold interviews are usually good judges of character and know how to recognize when someone is lying.

As you can see, getting through an interview successfully is something that takes some practice. That’s why it can also be helpful to see every job interview (even if you don’t get the job) as a chance to practice. You can then critically assess your performance afterwards: what did you do well? What do you need to watch out for next time? No two interviews are exactly the same, but with a bit of practice they do get easier.

And on that note, good luck!

Feven