A good preparation for your application process makes the difference. It gives you more self-confidence and it makes you appear interested. How do you prepare yourself? ErasmusTalent would like to discuss this with you, but shares some application tips in advance.

Preparing for the interview

How do you appear well prepared for your job interview? What do you need to prepare? ErasmusTalent would like to share some tips with you to make sure you are well prepared.

• Perhaps the most important, know the job description and know the company. Read up, look for background information, visit the website, read annual reports, google the company etc..
• Who are your interview partners? Visit the LinkedIn pages of your interviewers. What do you notice about their LinkedIn profile and take this with you during the interview.
• Prepare an Elevator Pitch.
• What should you bring to the job interview? Make sure you bring your own resume and cover letter, a print-out of the job description and of course, pen and paper so you can make notes.
• Need some extra interview help? Then read one of these interesting titles to prepare for your interview.

The job interview

You have prepared the interview down to the last detail and then it’s time for the job interview! You only get one chance to make a good first impression. How do you handle this? Which matters are important?

• Know where you need to be, inform yourself via Google Maps or even drive there in advance.
• Arrive on time, but arrive no more than 10 minutes early. If you arrive earlier, make sure that your conversation partners are not called yet.
• What clothes should you wear? Make sure you look presentable, try to adapt your style of clothing to the company and remember better overdressed than underdressed.
• Sell yourself, use your elevator pitch, incorporate it into answering the questions;
• Ask questions during the interview. By asking good substantive questions you create a conversation and distinguish yourself. Make sure you have thought about possible questions before the job interview. On which subjects you can ask questions, for example:
• The way the organization works;
• Cooperation with direct colleagues and other departments;
• Future plans of the organization;
• How do they envision filling the position.
• Questions about employment conditions, days off, illness, etc. are best avoided; these will come up in the next round.

And remember, the job interview begins the moment you enter the building and doesn’t end until you’re back outside.

Questions during the interview

Which questions should you be able to answer during the job interview? It is important to go through the list below and think about the answer you could give. Make sure you can answer the questions with sufficient substantiation.

Basic questions:

• Tell me something about yourself?
• What is important to you in life?
• How would your best friend describe you?
• Do you have examples of your decision-making skills and what is your leadership style like, for example?
• What are your strengths and areas of development?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Job Specific Questions:

• What appeals to you in the job?
• What do you like, and what do you dislike, about this job?
• What do you find important in a job? What is your ideal job?
• Do you like to work alone or do you prefer to work in a group?
• What activities in your current job appeal to you?
• What activities in your current job do you dislike less?
• How do you deal with a suddenly changing situation?
• Do you have an example where you accomplished something that previously seemed impossible?
• How do you deal with different opinions in your team?
• How do you keep your professional knowledge up to date?
• How long would you like to work for us?

Business-oriented questions:

• Why would you want to work for our company?
• What can you tell us about our organization?
• What would your contribution be to the success of our organization?
• What do you think it takes to be successful in our business?

It is important to take all questions seriously, even if they seem standard.

To conclude

When you are asked how you liked the interview, make sure you give positive feedback, and let it be known that you are enthusiastic. Try to be specific about what appeals to you. If you are asked if you have any other options, you can be honest about this, but remember that the things you mention are logical to your story.