How to proceed during an interview

Do not forget

• You should arrive about five minutes early.
• Switch off your mobile phone.
• Give a convincing handshake and smile.
• Remember that the first impression always plays an important role in the assessment of you as a suitable candidate.
• During the interview stay positive and keep natural eye contact with all interviewers.
• Speak in a clear manner, do not use big gestures.
• Avoid vulgar or colloquial words.
• You can make notes during the interview. If you would like to do so it is polite to ask your partner whether he/she agrees.
• Be relaxed, self-confident, positive, honest and open.
• Do not think about the possibility of not being accepted. Remember that besides your potential employer, you are also making a choice.
• Listen to your partner without interrupting him/her.
• Use short answers, but not just “yes” or “no”.
• Do not be either too passive or too dominant.
• If you do not understand a question, feel free to ask. Do not be afraid to admit that there is something you do not know.
• Make your salary expectation clear before the interview but do not be the first one who asks about it.
• Speak positively about your current/previous employer. Consider carefully the answer to the question “Why are you leaving/have you left the company?”
• Do not hide anything; it can always come out later, for example during the verification of your references.
• Try to keep your body language and all possible signs of nervousness under control (playing with a chain, moving on a chair, nervous laughing).

Your questions

There should be time for your questions during an interview. Ask about things that interest you which have not been mentioned during the interview. Questions will prove your interest and orientation in a given area.

Examples of questions you can ask:

• Is it a newly created position?
• What is the company culture?
• What are the possibilities for career development?
• What is the team structure?
• Who would I report to?
• Who do you perceive being your competitor?

How to react to non-standard questions

It can happen that you will be asked a question you do not want to answer or which is not related to work (e.g. How old are your children?). Take your time. Ask the interviewer about the reason he/she is asking this question and then decide whether you want to answer or not.

Next steps

The selection process usually has several rounds. At the end of each round you should receive information about the next step. You should also be given the date by which you will get feedback. Feel free to ask any questions!

Try to obtain maximum feedback, which you will learn from in order to be better prepared for the next meeting.

If the company offers you a job, do not hesitate to accept it. The sooner you decide, the better impression you make on your future employer. He/she will appreciate your enthusiasm and motivation and therefore will trust you more.

If the company chooses another candidate, do not be disappointed. Just the invitation for an interview is a considerable achievement which has proved your qualities.