7 tips for the job interview

Be one step ahead of the job interview

There are certain questions that you will encounter again and again in your job interviews. Therefore, you might as well be prepared and thorough beforehand.

If you come in well prepared for a job interview, you will seem more confident, which naturally improves your chances of getting the job. Here are seven tips on how to answer the typical questions.

Why do you want to work for us?

It is important that you are sincerely interested in the company. Show them that you have read up on them and what they stand for, and that you already know a lot about your potential employer. It is important for the company to feel that they too have been carefully selected by you, instead of just being a place to which you have sent an application to get your unemployment benefits. Make sure to keep eye contact throughout the conversation.

Tell us a bit about yourself

This is a typical opening question that the interviewer asks so that he or she is able to get an overall impression of you and how you present yourself. Be personal, but not too private. And please make sure that you do not just repeat what you have already written in your resume – the interviewer has already read that. You need to be able to talk about yourself in two to three minutes.

What are your weaknesses?

Instead of embarrassing yourself or sweeping your weaknesses deep under the rug, you should see them as your development potential – the places where you can improve. Always talk less about your negative sides than about the positive ones and show that you are willing to improve and learn more about yourself and others.

What are your strengths?

Here, you really need to think about your answer. Before the interview, you should select three positive main characteristics of yourself and focus on them. If you are unsure what your strengths are, ask your friends, family, and any colleagues, and ask them to describe you in a few words. Be humble but stand firm.

How much should you get in salary?

Salary can be a sensitive topic for a job interview. You should try to avoid making specific salary demands before you have had the opportunity to ask more questions about the work tasks, number of hours, terms, and conditions for the position. When you know more, you can sell yourself a little better without feeling greedy.

Where do you see yourself in three, five or 10 years?

It is good if you show the hiring manager that you have thought about your future and that you have already begun to formulate a vision or plan. Finally, say that you can easily imagine a long-term development in the company, so they want to invest in you and your skills.

Why should we hire just you?

The interviewer requires a thoughtful answer as to why they should hire just you if there are multiple applicants. Here it is important that you appear as someone, who knows who you are and what you can provide for the company. Show will and passion. Many are afraid to sell themselves, so practice in front of the mirror or friends, and show them the best version of you.