Useful
Job Interview Guide – How to Impress Your Future Employer
You've likely experienced having to send out numerous resumes before finally being called for an interview. This makes the job interview – especially for internships and entry-level positions – an unmissable opportunity to "sell yourself" to your potential employer.
A successful personal interview can hinge on numerous details, but it's not impossible to keep these in mind. What are the most important ones? Our student union tells you!
Attire
For a student job, formal attire is rarely expected. Usually, it's enough to upgrade your everyday clothes to something a bit more elegant. For girls, a nice, solid-colored blouse and a comfortable (not mini!) skirt are recommended, while boys should opt for a (ironed) shirt and dress pants.
When it comes to colors, there’s an ongoing debate among experts: some swear by black, white, gray, and maybe pastel shades, while others say that as long as you maintain elegance, you can wear almost anything, as long as the chosen color reflects your personality. Additionally, your interviewer will likely remember a brighter color.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which approach to take, as the most important thing is to feel comfortable in your own skin to radiate positivity.
Arrival
We hope it goes without saying: don’t be late! Arrive a bit earlier than the scheduled time, but not too early. Arriving 5-10 minutes before the interview is perfectly acceptable, but much earlier is not advisable. You were given a specific time for a reason, and it may be awkward for the interviewer if they feel they have to make you wait.
If you see that you’d arrive too early, have a coffee at a nearby café or take a walk in the area. It’ll help clear your head.
"Tell Me About Yourself"
Don’t be scared of this question! If you have experience in a similar role, talk about your professional background, explain your motivations, discuss your hobbies (if they’re relevant to the job), and highlight any personal traits that are important for the role you’re applying for.
It’s crucial not to rush. Take short pauses between sentences to give the interviewer a chance to ask questions if something comes up.
Your Questions
It’s not at all embarrassing to arrive with prepared questions – in fact, it shows preparedness. This indicates that you’re genuinely interested and have thought a lot about the job.
However, make sure to check before the interview that the answers to your questions aren’t already provided in the job posting or on the company’s website. Only ask questions you genuinely want answered during the interview; avoid asking anything just for the sake of it.
Demeanor
Perhaps the most important of all is your demeanor. No matter how elegant or motivated you are, it’s all for naught if your poor demeanor makes you unlikable to the interviewer.
That’s why it’s essential to bring your best self to the interview: smile, let your face reflect your interest, and most importantly, be honest. Nothing dampens an employer’s enthusiasm more than seeing you’re not being honest about something.
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