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6 pieces of advice for a successful job interview

Preparing for a job interview

Do you want to know the secret behind a good job interview? Throughout the years, we have conducted many job interviews at Curia. Aside from preparing yourself thoroughly before the interview, there are certain things that you should consider during the interview itself. Based on our experience we have compiled 6 pieces of advice for the interview, intended to help you perform your best.

  1. Your arrival matters: You are being interviewed as soon as you step inside the building. You never know if the person you pass in the hallway or in the elevator is part of the recruitment process. Therefore, make sure to be polite towards the staff in general. Their comments might be used in the selection process.

  2. Your body language and mode of speech: In regards to body language, it is important that you avoid the classic faux pas which creates a less than ideal first impression of yourself: The limp handshake, avoidance of eye contact, the lacking smile, the way too large smile, arms crossed, sitting on the edge of the chair and so on. In regards to speech, it is a good idea to uphold a certain neutrality in your behaviour in the first minutes until you have read the situation. Notice the body language of the interviewer; it can often tell you if you should elaborate on something or be quiet. Also, speak slowly and clearly and give yourself time to think.

  3. Show interest and positivity: A typical interview starts with the employer telling you about the company, its line of business, its development, and so on. It creates a good atmosphere if you respond interestedly and positively to what you hear. You can do this by giving the employer the opportunity to speak of the company in a positive way by asking for details or making remarks which encourage the employer to tell you more. This curiosity and interest signal that you are enthusiastic about being at this exact interview. Another way to show interest is to ask questions about the company and the job that you have prepared in advance.

  4. Tell them what you can do: At the interview, it is largely up to you to get your qualifications clearly through to the interviewer. Do not take for granted that the interviewer is completely aware of what a person with your education and qualifications can do. So, explain what you can do in relation to the job. In this way, you will make your often abstract education relevant to the company.

  5. Be specific and concrete: At the interview, your most important task is to prove that you can fill the position that you have applied for. This burden of evidence is managed by specifically and detailed elaborating on what you have done in previous employment when solving similar tasks. When doing this, you should rather be too specific than too general; explain what you do today and what you have contributed. Furthermore, it is important to listen attentively to the questions you are asked and answer them concretely. Do not worry about asking for an explanation or for time to think the question through.

  6. The end of the interview: The interview is coming to an end – what now? In some situations, it can be a while before you get a response. If you have not already been informed, remember to ask when and how you will get the response. Before leaving the interview, it is a good idea to show that you want the job (of course, only if this is the case). Therefore, you could say your conclusions on the interview out loud before you leave. For example, that the interview has been good and has confirmed that this job is right for you.