Useful Application tips

Researching the company is the be-all and end-all in an interview. For example, you should be informed about the sector, products, competitors, turnover, number of employees and company philosophy. The company website is often very informative in this respect.

It is also helpful to prepare a self-presentation. You are usually asked to speak a little about yourself at the start of an interview. However, it is not advisable to "churn out" your CV. It is important to mention, contextualise and justify the most important milestones. A coherent narrative impression should arise right from the outset and the presentation should last no longer than two or three minutes.

It makes sense to avoid any stress before the interview. We recommend that you always schedule a time buffer when planning your trip. After all, traffic jams or train delays can easily happen. Any costs incurred are borne directly by the company. Please do not hesitate to contact us specifically on this point.

We will inform you about the dress code of the company. Clothes should be ironed and shoes cleaned. Also pay attention to a tidy hairstyle and well-kept fingernails. As a general principle, for example in the case of perfume, make-up, jewellery and neckline: Less is more.

It’s not all about the outfit, but also on how you wear it. Watch your bodily tension: keep your back straight and your chest out. The overall impression you give is created by appearance and above all by body language.

Even if the atmosphere seems a little chilly, you must remain polite and above all friendly – smiling is the key word here. Behaviour is an important factor in judging personality and soft skills. Even if the interview has not gone particularly well and you have had to take some negative remarks, at least give the impression you can take criticism. Remember the saying: “It’s a small world.”

It is best to drink still water instead of carbonated, to protect your stomach and avoid flatulence and burping. Particularly if you are nervous and talk a lot, you will quickly get a dry throat. A glass of water can be helpful. If you have difficult questions, you can also pick up your glass to take a moment to think and thus gain time for a good answer. Another tip: Do not put the glass or drink directly between you and your interlocutor. This acts as a barrier.

Speak slowly and clearly. This gives a more competent impression than quickly "rattling off" answers, and there will be no need for follow-up questions because you have been understood correctly first time round. It is best to sit up straight. This is also be worth practicing in advance.

Mirroring means imitating (but not mimicking!) your counterpart. This also makes people seem sympathetic, even if it tends to happen unconsciously. However, don’t overdo it; this is only a basic principle that can be applied selectively and profitably. Examples:

• If your counterpart laughs, you should, too. But don’t go overboard.
• If your counterpart leans forward, you should do the same.
• If your counterpart reaches for a glass, you should also take a sip from yours.

Notes prevent you from forgetting important points that you could take up later in your own questions. In addition, they are evidence of an honest interest and provide a structured way of working. The notes can also help you to review the interview in retrospect and to learn from this for future interviews. It is not a good idea to type notes directly into your mobile phone or iPad.

Avoid responding to standard questions with standard answers. Trained personnel managers immediately notice if responses have been learned by heart from consultants. The solution is: Your answers should always relate to yourself, your career, the position you are targeting or the company.

Application documents can also give rise to certain questions. Instead of just mentioning "sport", you should dance the salsa, for example. Or if you like cooking, specify your affinity to Thai or Spanish cuisine. You can also show your social commitment not only in your CV, but also in your self-presentation. This can also give personnel managers interesting points of contact for small talk.

Highly qualified applicants, in particular, are expected to ask their own questions during the interview. Those who do not do so signal a lack of interest or shyness – and this does not go down well.

However, be careful: Try to ask intelligent, relevant questions. If the personnel manager asks you if you still have any questions about the company, it gives the wrong impression if you directly address salary. Here, too, it helps to be prepared: On the one hand, questions can be considered and noted down in advance; other questions then arise during the discussion. For example, you can ask about specific aspects of the job, initial training or further training opportunities.