Job interview
Guide
Text by Kim Knudsen, career counselor in IDA
The interview
Preparation
When you have been invited to a job interview, it is often
because you had a good CV and application. The employment
committee has decided that you have a relevant professional
profile, and now they want to meet you. The job interview re-
quires preparation and work, just like the application material
did.
A kind of preparation that is often overlooked is mental pre-
paration. Make sure you get a good night's sleep the day be-
fore an interview. When you wake up in the morning, fill your
mind with positive thoughts and expectations; maybe listen
to some music that makes you happy and puts you in a good
mood.
Overall, it is important to remember that a job interview is a
clarification for both of you: Do you want the job and does the
company want you? When you wrote the application you ap-
plied, in principle, to get an interview - not to get the job! The
purpose of the interview is therefore to clarify whether you
and the company are the right match for each other.
Who gets the job?
That's a great question. A number of studies have been con-
ducted and revolve around three answers:
• Those who create a good atmosphere
• Those who perform the best in an interview situation
• The ones that the company likes (chemistry)
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The first meeting
Online or in person?
Online In person
Find a room where you can talk undi- Be ready for interacting from the mo-
sturbed and with good internet con- ment you arrive at the parking lot. The
nection. Use a light and neutral back- walk from the reception to the room
ground if possible. Don't use the blur- where the interview takes place can be
red background function – it can create used to lay the foundation for a good
a sense of distance and sometimes the atmosphere. Say something positive
filter distorts or hides parts of the face. (that you really mean, avoid being fake)
and say yes to coffee or tea if it's being
offered. It can all contribute to create a
good atmosphere.
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Introduction
From the company
Typically, it will be the company that
starts with an introduction of themsel-
ves. The company usually has two start-
ing points for the conversation:
1. They might ask: "What do you know
about us (the company)?". It is impor-
tant to be prepared so you can give a
good and concice answer.
2. The company might also begin by
introducing themselves.
After the introduction, you will typically
be asked to introduce yourself. You can
say something like: "Let me tell you a bit
about who I am and what interests me."
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Introduction
From you
When you are asked about yourself, you can talk a bit about the
following:
1. Professional skills
Refer to job advert. Say the most important thing first. Present
your three most important selling points; Why are you the right
professional? What is your experience with the primary tasks in
the job? What do you have to offer the company? Be as specific
as possible.
2. Personal skills
Focus on the personal skills mentioned in the job advert and
supplement with other, relevant strengths/personal skills you
might have. Think of strengths others have highlighted in you
(your boss/colleagues/friends). Be ready to give examples. You
can also take a personality test before the interview as clarifica-
tion/inspiration. You can find links to a number of tests on the
last page of this guide.
3. Other
Talk about things like:
• Your marital status (if you wish)
• Your leisure interests (short)
• Where you live, etc.
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Focus points
Challenging questions
Prepare yourself for challenging questions like:
1. "You have been an employee at the same company for 10
years now. Are you not driven at all?"
2. "Where do you see your greatest weaknesses in relation to
this job?"
3. "Is there anything we should know?"
4. “Why haven't you got a job yet? It has been almost a year
since you graduated?”
5. "Why was it specifically you who got fired?"
6. "Tell us about a time you failed."
Remember that callenging questions are a good sign! Answer
kindly by saying something like: "I understand why would want to
know that, let me calrify..." This is the turning point in the conversa-
tion. Companies typically only ask that kind of questions to candi-
dates they are interested in.
On the other hand: If the hiring committee is extremely nice and
smiling throughout the conversation you have probably ended up
in the "ambassador category": i.e. those who do not get the job,
but tend speak positively of the company afterwards.
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Focus points
Appearance
Show that you understand what the job is about
Clearly show your motivation for the job - if you appear inte-
rested and motivated, the company are more likely to percieve
you as a good employee.
Body language
Make sure you don't slouch even though you might be ner-
vous. Instead, indicate that you are an open, positive and fri-
endly person. Remember to smile.
Speak and listen
Remember we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Be
careful not to talk too much and listen too little. Be humble
without being self-effacing.
Dresscode
Check the company's dresscode and reflect this at the inter-
view. You may be able to get an impression of the company's
dresscode their website.
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What is a fulfilling job?
Specifically for you
It will be natural for the company to ask why this particular
job will be a good fit for you. Or generally: What characterizes
a fulfilling job in your opinion?
Here are some examples of things that could be charac-
teristic for "a fulfilling job":
• You are proud of where you work (company reputation)
• You feel skilled at what you're doing and you feel chal-
lenged a healthy amount.
• A great manager. We want to be led by someone we like.
A good leader is honest, authentic, and genuine. A good
leader distributes tasks and solves conflictes in a fair manner.
• Good colleagues. A good colleague is someone you feel
comfortable with and where sharing knowledge is a
standard practice.
• A job that is interesting and meaningful.
• A job where you can evolve both professionally and per-
sonally.
• Flexibility – e.g. the possibility of working from home.
• A job where you experience progress and see results.
• A job that has a positive impact on the well-being of
other people.
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The end of the interview
Stand out from the crowd
Finish strong here. And now back to the question:
It's important to make a strong finish If you choose to offer me this position,
to the interview – that makes a lasting what will I be measured on, the first 3
impression on the hiring committee. months?"
Typically, the company will end the in-
terview by saying something like: "Do Final advice
you have any question for us?" Be prepared to answer the question:
"What is your expected salary?" You
Instead of answering: "No, I don't have should also be able present why the
anything" like most people, you can an- company should hire you in 2 minutes
swer: "Yes, I have one last question, but (the elevator pitch). Be prepared that
first I just want to say that I think it was you may be asked to name a few refe-
great meeting you, and I want you to rences. On the last page of this guide,
know that this conversation has only you will find 17 typical questions you
piqued my interest in the company may encounter at a job interview, as
further. Especially the fact that (provi- well as a number of useful links. Good
de specific insights from the conversa- luck with the interview!
tion) made me really keen on working
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17 questions
You might encounter at an interview
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself
2. Why are you applying for this job?
3. Why should we hire you?
4. What are your most important qualifications in relation to this job?
Can you give an example from your current position where you have
used that specific skill?
5. What is your biggest weakness in relation to this job? When was
it last expressed and how?
6. Tell us about your biggest success in your current/previous job?
What happened and what did you do?
7. Tell us about a challenge or a conflict that you have faced in your
previous work and how you tackled the situation?
8. What are you seeking in a new job?
9. What kind of tasks do you like the best?
10. Can you give examples of what you have experienced as a good wor-
king environment?
11. What motivates you?
12. What happened the last time you had a good day at the job?
13. How does a manager bring out the best in you?
14. How would your manager and your colleagues describe you?
15. What can challange you? When was the last time you experi-
enced that? And how did you react?
16. What do you like to do when you're not at work?
17. Do you have any questions for us?
Source: www.lederweb.dk/artikler/jobsamtalen
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Links & inspiration
Knowledge from ida.dk
• Job search: Make a strategy to find the right job
• Finding work in Denmark
• CV and applications
• Unsolicited job application in Denmark
• Find your strongest competencies
Tests
• Identify your strengths
• Free personality test
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