Get hired: Best practices during a job interview

Under the best of circumstances, job search can be a long, arduous process. Going through multiple levels of interviews to finally get a job offer is stressful and at Asteroid, we understand this.

In this article, we put together some best practices that candidates can use during a job interview to make a great impression on the interviewer. This way, you can not only interview for the job, but also make sure that you land the job you dreamed of. Whether you are giving a job interview in German or English, these best practices will help you in acing it.

1. Be prepared to answer common questions

When you attend a job interview, you already know some of the routine questions you can expect from the interviewer. Research these questions in advance and practice your answers. This will help you structure your thoughts clearly, prevent you from being flustered and help confidently answer them. Be careful to give brief, to-the-point responses and sound natural.

Some common questions you can expect are:

• Tell me about yourself.

• What are your motivations for applying to this position?

• Why do you want to work at our company?

If you are interviewing for a marketing or sales job, be prepared to give feedback about the company’s current strategies.

2. Greet the interviewer

Greet the interviewer cordially and thank them for their time. Reiterate your interest in the role and convey that you are excited about the opportunity. When answering the questions, avoid being defensive; give clear responses in a respectful manner.

3. Prepare quality questions for your interviewer

As candidates, you should be able to ask good questions to the interviewer. This is a great opportunity to know more about the company culture and dig more deeply into the expectations and deliverables. Asking good follow-up questions is important, since it shows that you have taken the effort to think about the long-term implications. This is also an opportunity for the interviewer to understand what aspects are important for you.

Some examples are:

• What does a normal day in this role look like?

• How would you assess performance in this role?

• How closely does this position work with other departments? Can you give an example?

• What are the challenges you are currently facing?

4. Be on time

Be it an in-person interview or an online interview, make sure to turn up at least 10-15 minutes before the interview starts. If you are anxious, this time will help you calm down. Being late for the job interview is not only unprofessional, but will also add to the stress.

5. Improve your soft skills

Making a good first impression is essential for any interview. When you give a job interview, your intention is to make the interviewer see that you are a perfect fit for the role. Dress professionally, always be cordial and polite and most importantly, smile. Being pleasant throughout the interview can also mask how nervous you really are!

6. Don’t sound negative

This is important to keep in mind, especially when asked about your previous work experience and why you are looking for a job switch. Do not speak negatively about your current or former employers. Instead, focus on your personal goals and frame your answers to reflect how much you’ve learned from your previous jobs.

After the interview, do send a feedback email thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in pursuing the role. While this is not an exhaustive list of best practices, we hope this will help you ace your next job interview! Good luck!