Your interview preparation
prepare good answers
Have you been invited to a job interview for your dream job? Then don’t leave anything to chance and prepare well for your interview. Rehearse giving good answers in the interview and presenting yourself in the most favourable way. The better prepared you are the more you’ll hit the nail on the head and avoid blundering.
Don’t get lost in too much detail in your answers and focus on the essentials. You should
Job interview: Preparation of different topics
Interviews often follow the same pattern, even if the content differs depending on the company and the position to be filled. However, there are four basic areas that are addressed in each interview and should be well prepared by you. After all, the good impression you have already
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General interview preparation
Do you know how much time you need to travel to your future employer? If the interview is conducted online: Have you prepared everything for the digital job interview? If you clarify these questions for yourself in advance, you will avoid a lot of stress on the actual day of the interview. You should also consider the clothes you are going to wear and maybe even get a new haircut a few days before. Write down important information during the job interview. Equip yourself with pen and paper – either take it with you or place it on your desk if you are having a digital interview. You will realise that simply by preparing these things you will be less stressed.
Prepare your self-presentation
Presenting yourself is part of every interview. It is key to be convincing and to show personality and expertise. Ask yourself the questions beforehand: What are my skills? What do I want? Why am I the right person for this position? Think about those questions. The best way to prepare is to speak your thoughts out loud and practice in front of a mirror or with people you trust. On the one hand, you should address aspects of your career, such as your education and professional motivation. On the other hand, show personality by presenting your own interests, strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared for unpleasant questions during the interview. Prepare answers in advance if there are gaps in your CV or if it is not straightforward. Also be aware that presenting yourself will not be limited to the job interview. HR staff or curious potential colleagues will certainly google you. What they will find on social networks and about your personal branding is also part of how you present yourself. Therefore, check your privacy settings on your social media profiles. Tip: Be authentic. Show your rough edges. But also make it clear that you are willing to build up missing knowledge and quickly learn new tasks.
Get informed about the company
Do you know exactly which products your future company manufactures, what figures it generates, how many employees work at different locations? Great. The fact that you have obtained information about your future employer will definitely leave a positive impression. Your interviewers do not even have to ask you for specific details. Just drop your knowledge here and there – and you will start getting credit for this.
Own questions and ideas
At the end of the interview, at the latest, you will be asked if you have questions, too. Think about what you would like to ask in advance and write it down, if necessary. This will prevent you from forgetting any questions admidst all the excitement and it will clearly show that you prepared well and are really interested in the job. Especially for candidates for management positions, asking questions is essential to get to know company processes already during the interview. If you can't think of any questions for your interview instantly: Focus on the team, a typical working day, or specific internal processes. Feel and think as if you already had the job. This will help you find ways to emphasise your interest in the position.
Giving good answers in the interview: This is what really matters
Surely, your interviewer will ask you some questions that are deliberately meant to stress you and put you under pressure. There is often no right or wrong way to react to such questions – but your reaction can come across as good or bad.
When you practice for your interview, follow our tips on good answers in an interview.
Realistically assess your skills. Don’t try to impress your potential employer with knowledge you don’t have. If you present yourself as an expert, be prepared for specific questions and answer accordingly.
Think aloud. HR managers may confront you with questions that you did not expect. Instead of silently searching for the right answer, let them know your thoughts. This is how you show personality and find a good answer in the interview.
Treat your interviewer with respect. During an interview, there will almost certainly be further enquiries about the things you said. Be attuned to your interviewer when giving your responses. Reflect on yourself and stand up for your answer. It is best to use strong arguments to support them.
Ask questions. You are not quite sure what the question is about or you need more information to give a satisfactory answer? Ask your interviewer to be more specific.
Set the right expectations. You are applying as a career changer in an area which is new to you? If you make it clear in advance that you have not yet gained much experience but are highly motivated, you will at least keep the expectations of your interviewers low in that respect. You can still convince them with your personality.
Giving good answers in interviews with the STAR method
One method that can help you provide appealing and, above all, well-structured answers during an interview is the so-called STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. By following the structure of this model, your response will help you communicate the most important information without getting lost in too much detail.
First, explain the context in such a way that your interviewer can understand why your skills were needed in the respective situation. For example, say:
“During my time at company X, we launched a brand-new product. It was our task to present the product to our customer’s marketing manager.”
First, explain the context in such a way that your interviewer can understand why your skills were needed in the respective situation. For example, say:
“During my time at company X, we launched a brand-new product. It was our task to present the product to our customer’s marketing manager.”
Then explain your tasks and your role in this situation and which skills you applied.
“As a senior sales representative for this product, I was responsible for the presentation. The aim was to give the customer an understanding of all unique selling points of our product and its benefits for the company. On the morning of the presentation, I was told that two of the customer’s sales managers also wanted to attend the presentation.”
Then explain your tasks and your role in this situation and which skills you applied.
“As a senior sales representative for this product, I was responsible for the presentation. The aim was to give the customer an understanding of all unique selling points of our product and its benefits for the company. On the morning of the presentation, I was told that two of the customer’s sales managers also wanted to attend the presentation.”
Now explain exactly what you did and how you applied your skills.
“That’s why I adapted my communication style so that several people in the room felt addressed at the same time. I also expressed myself in a more general way during the presentation. I avoided technical jargon and made my presentation understandable to both marketing and sales professionals.”
Now explain exactly what you did and how you applied your skills.
“That’s why I adapted my communication style so that several people in the room felt addressed at the same time. I also expressed myself in a more general way during the presentation. I avoided technical jargon and made my presentation understandable to both marketing and sales professionals.”
Address the positive impact of your actions and how your skills contributed to a positive outcome.
“After my presentation, the customer made a first product order. This, in turn, led to a 25% increase of our monthly turnover. Besides, I received excellent feedback for my presentation, especially from the sales managers.”
Address the positive impact of your actions and how your skills contributed to a positive outcome.
“After my presentation, the customer made a first product order. This, in turn, led to a 25% increase of our monthly turnover. Besides, I received excellent feedback for my presentation, especially from the sales managers.”
This is why the STAR procedure works
If you practice the STAR method before your interview, you will inevitably internalise your skills and professional success. This will also give you immense self-confidence. Clearly structured answers and a well-thought-out story keep the HR managers’ attention high. It makes your response more informative and meaningful.
In preparation for an interview, imagine some scenarios and keep repeating the STAR method in your mind – especially once you are in the room where the interview will take place. Then you can answer every question comprehensively, without going too far. At the same time, you will demonstrate that you are suitable for the job.
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