Preparation
Not all questions can be prepared for, but there are some that will be asked. Having an answer ready to these questions is important. Questions about yourself and your past, your strengths, your weaknesses and your motivation to land this job are often standard. Not giving a confident answer to these questions will undermine your position as a suitable candidate.
Know Yourself
Don’t think, I know myself well enough, so I will be able to come up with an answer on the spot, because that will not work. Telling something about your qualities might sound simple, but when forced to come up with a suitable example on the spot, hesitations or unclear examples will diminish your credibility.
For example: the danger of coming up with a weakness about yourself on the spot, is that the interviewers will remember the weakness, and only that. A weakness should always come with a solution, in order to turn it into something positive that shows you know yourself well enough.
Be aware of the question:‘tell us something about yourself’. This question can be answered in two ways; either focused on your private life (hobbies, sports etc.) or your professional background. Instead of rambling on about either, ask the interviewer what he would prefer to hear.
Weaknesses in CVs
There are almost always weaknesses to be found in your cv, a gap during unemployment, an unfinished study or course, or a terminated project. Providing the interviewer with an explanation to the weakness, the gap or unfinished study will remain a small smudge instead of cesspool that will draw all the attention. So have such explanations ready.
Sincere Interest
Make sure you have looked into the company. Have questions ready about them. Show that your interest in the job is more than just the hours, the monthly pay and the fringe benefits.
The Web
Internet is a lovely tool to find and share information. Make sure you to do an ego-surf. It may sound a bit conceited, but it will prevent awkward situations. Check what the search engine will dig up when searching your own name. Do you wish your boss-to-be to see drunken weekend pictures of you? If not, make sure they are not visible to everyone, by changing the privacy settings. If friends have tagged you in embarrassing photos, ask them to un-tag you. You may check out websites about your potential new work place. But you can be certain they are checking you out too.
Best to Avoid
In the end, there are a couple of straightforward points that are best avoided altogether. Unfortunately, they are so straightforward that people tend to forget them:
1. Do not show up late. Make sure that you know where you have to be, check traffic and the trains, especially now with autumn around the corner. Add 30 minutes to your journey, or more if route is prone to traffic jams. Also, make sure there is another train that you could take as back up, just in case.
2. A limp clammy handshake. This one is a bit tricky. What is considered limp? In the Netherlands, a handshake should be firm, but not bone breaking.
3. Make eye-contact when greeting each other and during the interview. Keep in mind to look at all the people who are part of the interview even when they did not ask you the question.
4. Wear comfortable, but suitable clothes. When you are wearing an outfit that makes you feel comfortable, you will be more relaxed during the interview.That being said, keep in check that your outfit does not result in going underdressed to the interview.
A good preparation does not only result in giving answers to seemingly difficult questions, it will also bring some peace of mind during the interview. Preparing an interview can easily take up an hour of your time. Take this time. There will always be nerves to tackle during the interview, but some of it can be taken care of, by having an answer ready to the most predictable questions.