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5.1.6.2 Your way to a successful interview

Exercises

  1. Which of the above questions would you consider inappropriate?

  2. Categorize the valid questions as one of the following types:
      • Questions about your motivation
      • Questions about your ability and willingness to perform
      • Questions about you as a person
      • Trick questions

3.   Prepare a self-presentation

      • It should be about two minutes long (no longer than three)
      • Include only relevant information, e.g. work experiences and skills that fit the job opening/internship
      • Use examples, e.g. instead of just pointing out that you had some insight into accounting, elaborate on it: “I was fortunate to be involved in creating the annual report and learned how to work with accounting software X”

4.   Think of 3-5 of your strengths that are relevant for the job/internship
      (explain them by using examples.)

5.   Think of 2 of your weaknesses & consider ways to overcome them. 
      (Note: Exercises 4 and 5 are a great preparation for the inevitable question
       about your strengths and weaknesses)

6.   Go through your CV and look for gaps.
       => Think of good/positive ways to explain them.

7.   Gather information about the companies that you want to apply to:

      • Visit their homepage
      • Look for them on social media
      • Check the newspapers for interesting reports
      • Knowing about recent important events usually leaves a good impression

8.   Think of min. 3 questions that you want to ask at the end 

      • Don’t just ask about “facts” (e.g. number of employees)
      • Think of questions that show you are motivated and eager to become part of the company (e.g. “I want to have a good start. Is there something i can do to prepare myself for internship/job?”)      

9.   Simulate an interview with a friend/teacher

      • Let them ask you some of the most common questions and try to answer like you would in a real interview
      • Ask your conversation partner to check your body language as well


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