Have you submitted your CV and taken the first step towards that one (new) job? Great!
Then you are probably waiting anxiously for your first feedback and at the same time you are already preparing yourself for your interview. All kinds of questions are running through your head:
- What do I wear?
- How long will the interview last?
- How can I best prepare myself?
- How do I make sure I get the job?
As a recruitment and selection agency we are well aware that a job interview can often cause a lot of stress. However, thanks to good preparation, it is possible to reduce a great deal of pressure and stress. You simply want to make a positive first impression in order to secure that one particular job.
But how do you precisely make a good impression on your potential future employer?
We will help you to get started! Below we have listed some important tips to make your application a great success! We will answer the above questions that were probably on your mind as well.
What do I wear?
First of all it is important to wear clothes in which you feel comfortable. It is guaranteed to give you a great sense of self-confidence and you can't have enough of that during a job interview.
The dress code in the workplace can vary greatly from company to company. So be sure to check out some photos on the social media channels.
How long does the interview take?
An interview usually lasts 45 to 90 minutes. Sometimes you may be asked to participate in a personality test.
How can I best prepare myself & more importantly how do I make sure I get the job?
- Be on time
It is important to be relaxed and on time (+-15 minutes in advance) at your appointment. So it is best to leave a little earlier. This will give you the opportunity to put your mind at rest and absorb the work environment.
Do you want to make sure your application goes smoothly and without stress? Then do some research in advance on how you are going to get to the job interview location.
- Is it a route with lots of traffic?
- Do you know where you can park?
Also remember the department where you have an appointment and who your contact person is for the job in question.
Do you have bad luck and can't get there on time due to circumstances? Then be sure to inform the company in order to maintain your good impression.
- Do research
A. General impression about the company...
What is the company doing? Who is in the management? Collect information about the company (LinkedIn,...) and definitely take a look at the website. This way you will be able to discuss various topics.
B. Prepare yourself for the difficult questions.
Go through the vacancy, your cover letter and resume again before the interview. Look up some questions and try to formulate an answer. This way you will know what to expect and you will feel more at ease. We have also listed a few questions below that we often ask applicants.
- What contribution can you make to the company?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What appeals to you in the position?
- Why should we choose you in particular?
Do you want to make a good impression? Then it's always a good idea to demonstrate with an example that you have a certain skill. Are you able to sell your negative points as a positive? Then you probably already have an advantage over other applicants!
- Stay yourself but take your body language into account
Nothing is more important than the employee getting to know you. So be yourself as much as possible and try to make eye contact. It is perfectly normal for you to be stressed, but try to pay as much attention to your body language as possible. Crossed arms simply give the impression of less interest.
Also try to radiate enthusiasm by asking questions! Are certain things not entirely clear or would you like to know more? Then be sure to ask for clarification. Nothing is more pleasant than someone who is motivated and shows interest. Who would not like to hire an enthusiastic employee?
We have listed a few questions below that you can ask yourself.
- How will I be introduced:familiarized?
- Are there opportunities for further training or growth?
- How does the further procedure go? Are there any more tests or interviews?
- When will a decision be made?
- When and how will I receive news about my application,
- Thank the employer
The first impression is important, but the last impression lasts the longest. So feel free to thank the employer/interviewer for taking the time and effort to host you.
- Feedback
- Normally you will receive feedback within 14 days. You still haven't received a message? Then do not hesitate to contact them by telephone.
- Did you not get the job? Be sure to ask why and ask for the feedback you received. This way you can prepare yourself even better for a new/other application(s).
And remember, an invitation to an interview means that the employer found you suitable for the job. And every participation in an interview is a good exercise.