04 Interview

We advise you to prepare for the interview in advance. Get to know different formats and practices regarding job interviews. You can also practice your answers to some typical interview questions.

A job interview is ideally a two-way discussion, with the aim of gaining more information to support both parties in their decision-making.

Job interview

The suitability of an applicant for the applied job and the organisation is assessed in different ways during the recruitment process. The most common way is through job interviews or personal assessments. The job interview is intended to determine the suitability of the applicant for the job and the organisation, but it also gives the applicant the opportunity to determine the suitability of the job for themselves.

The interview allows you, as an applicant, to tell the employer more about yourself and your skills, and to get to know the position and the organisation you are applying for in more detail. The employer will get to know you better and assess your suitability for the position and the organisational culture.

The interview is therefore ideally a two-way discussion, with the aim of gaining more information to support both parties in their decision-making. During the interview, you should be yourself and communicate your skills and your interest in the job. You will also be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the position you are applying for.

The recruitment process may involve one or several rounds of interviews, which may take different forms. You may meet different interviewers at different stages depending on the type of recruitment process. The interviewers may be representatives of employers, but they may also be consultants from personnel service companies or recruitment agencies.

Several people may take part in interviewing applicants. The interview may involve a future supervisor, a human resources representative or recruiter, an external recruitment consultant, a future colleague or other key person in the organisation.

There are many styles of interviews, and the content may vary. Some interviews may be very formal, while others may be more like a friendly chat. It is not always possible to know in advance what kind of interview you will have. However, interviews typically follow the same structure and cover the same topics. Interviews usually start with introductions and a discussion about the recruitment process and how it will proceed.

The following topics are typically covered:

An introduction to the position in question
An introduction to the employer organisation or team
The applicant's skills, experience and education
The applicant's motivation and interests
The applicant's expectations in relation to the position
The applicant’s career aspirations and goals
The applicant's strengths and areas for improvement
The applicant's way of working in different situations
The applicant's language skills or other specific skills
Other relevant factors and practical matters

There is often room for open discussion during the interview, or at least for the applicant to ask their own questions. The degree of openness and freedom depends on the nature of the interview. On-site interviews may involve a tour of the organisation and premises with the applicant.

At the interview, copies of the applicant's work and educational certificates and references may be requested. Sometimes the interview includes a case study or simulation related to the applied position, or a review of the applicant’s pre-assignment. During a job interview, the steps of the recruitment process are also often covered, and what might be expected of the applicant after the interview.

Preparing for an interview

Being prepared plays a huge role in doing well in an interview, and it will also make you feel more confident. It is also a great way to show your own motivation for the job and the organisation. Being prepared will also help you to manage your nerves. Here are some tips to help you prepare for an interview.

Tips for preparing

Familiarise yourself with the employer

Make sure you know what the employer do and hoh, where the employer operate, who works in the organisation, how the organisation is doing financially and who are the decision-makers in the organisation. Check out the employer's social media pages and search for more information using search engines. Ask your friends and acquaintances who know the organisation or its employees for more information.

Find out about the sector

Find information and read news and current affairs related to the sector. Ask your friends and acquaintances who know the sector and its players for more information.

Practise selling your skills

Identify the key things that would make you a good choice for the job. Save the job advertisement and job description and think about why you would be a good fit for the job. Prepare and practise your elevator pitch in advance so that you can introduce yourself confidently in the interview.

Think about what you may be asked

Practice concrete answers to potential questions. Be prepared to answer questions in the foreign languages you have included in your CV. Think about what additional information you would like to get about the job you are applying for and prepare your own questions for the interviewer.

Help with preparing your elevator pitch ‹

Check out our tips for preparing your elevator pitch.

Practical matters before a job interview

Check beforehand that you know how to get to the interview. Dress smartly for the interview, but in a way that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Some employers are more formal and others more laid-back. You can also try to find out in advance what the dress code is in the workplace. However, the most important thing is that you feel good and at ease in the clothes you choose. Follow the instructions you have received about how to get to the interview and make sure you are on time. Make sure you bring the things that were requested to the interview.

It is usually a good idea to bring at least the following:

Identity card
Employment and education certificates and any portfolios
References
Pen and paper for making notes and your personal notes
Contact details of the interviewer

Elevator pitch

An elevator pitch can help you in your job interview. A pitch is a well-prepared, targeted and rehearsed speech in which you concisely present yourself, your skills and your goals. The content of your elevator pitch should always vary according to the situation, who you are speaking to and where. The aim of the elevator pitch is to arouse the listener's interest and make them want to hear more about you. The elevator pitch is where you introduce yourself, what you can do, what you can offer and what you want to achieve. You may need an elevator pitch to introduce yourself at a job interview, but it's also useful in networking situations, company visits, recruitment events or in the About section of your LinkedIn profile.

Why is the elevator pitch important?

You can make an impression when you present yourself in a natural and concise way. When you know you will be needing an elevator pitch for a job interview, for example, it's worth thinking about it and practising it beforehand. A rehearsed speech is convincing. It shows that you are prepared for the interview and motivated for the job you are applying for.

What is a good elevator pitch?

A good elevator pitch is natural, concise and easy to remember. Adapt your elevator pitch to the situation, i.e. think about who you are talking to and what your goals are in the situation – do you want to make an impression as an applicant or expand your network? The elevator pitch should serve as a conversation starter, so it shouldn’t be too long. Think about how long you would be willing to listen to someone presenting themselves and their skills. Remember that elevator pitches are often meant to be part of an interaction. For example, you could ask the interviewers a question at the end of your elevator pitch.

How to build a good elevator pitch?

Tell about your current situation

Tell about your background

Tell about your skills and experience

Tell about your goals and what you would like to do in the future

How to act in an interview?

A job interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. The interview is also an opportunity for you to find out more about the job you are applying for, the team, the organisational culture or anything else that interests you. Make the most of this opportunity!

The way you act as an applicant also gives the employer an idea of you as an employee. First impressions matter. Be on time for the interview, smile and say hello when you meet the interviewers. Be yourself at the interview because the interviewers are interested in knowing more about you as a person. It's completely normal to be nervous. If you are nervous and it seems to be getting in the way, you can say it out loud. The interviewers might be nervous too!

Listen to the question and, if necessary, make sure you have understood it correctly. Then answer in your own words, keeping your answers concise but sufficiently informative. You should also show your genuine interest in the role.

Tell the interviewers about yourself and your skills through examples. Give concrete, realistic and inspiring examples to highlight your skills. Think about where you have learned the skills needed for the job in question and what are things for which you have received good feedback from your supervisor or colleagues.

It is worth sharing the aspects of your strengths and your own work and study background that are relevant to the role you are applying for. Tell the interviewers about the knowledge and skills that are relevant to the job and the employer. If you have skills that are relevant to the job but are not covered in the interview questions, you can bring them up yourself when appropriate. You can talk about your skills using the STAR method.

The STAR method

Situation

Task

Action

Result

Types of interviews

Video responses

Phone interview

Remote interview

Group interview

Applicants may be asked to provide a video-recorded response to pre-defined interview questions, especially in the early stages of interview rounds. Video interviews are often used to pre-screen candidates and get to know them better before inviting them to actual interviews. Video interviews aim to build up a picture of the candidate's personality and to deepen the recruiter’s understanding of their skills and style of working.

Typically, the applicant will be asked a few questions which they will have to answer within a certain time limit. Employers may request videos by email or use a separate video interview platform to collect responses. The use of video responses allows more applicants to introduce themselves to the employer in a time- and location-independent way.

Tips for recording a video response:

Follow the instructions you receive for recording the video response. Allow sufficient time to prepare and record your answers. Make sure that the technology and equipment are working properly, that the video image is clear and that the sound is audible. Choose a quiet environment and a bright room where there is enough light for your face to be clearly visible. If it is possible to see the questions in advance, plan your answers in advance and practise them. But remember to be yourself – small mistakes or hesitations won't ruin the whole thing!

Try to answer the questions concisely and accurately. Make sure you don't give vague answers that don't provide any relevant information about you. The time allowed for answering is usually short, so it's a good idea to structure your answers in advance if possible. Try to stick to the time limit provided and, finally, make sure that your answers are recorded or forwarded to the recipient.

Phone interviews are usually so-called pre-interviews, i.e. the first, exploratory stage of the interview process. The recruiter may call potential candidates and ask them specific questions to select suitable candidates for the actual interviews. The phone interview may therefore lead to a further, more extensive face-to-face interview. In some cases, telephone interviews may be used if there are practical challenges or technical problems in organising the interviews.

Tips for phone interviews:

On the phone, interaction relies on voice alone, so it is important to focus on clear expression and ensure that your motivation and enthusiasm are conveyed through your tone of voice and choice of words. You should speak in a sufficiently loud voice and ensure that your positive attitude can be heard even if your facial expressions cannot be seen. You should also be prepared for the possibility that a phone call from a recruiter may come unexpectedly, and they may already ask you about your skills and interest in the job.

Remote interviews are widely used because they are easy to organise and not tied to a specific location. Remote interviews are very similar to on-site interviews in terms of content, but they involve real-time interaction via video link. They are typically conducted via Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or other video conferencing applications. For a remote interview, you will typically receive an invitation link in advance via email, which will allow you to join the video conference at the agreed time.

Tips for a remote interviews:

You should go into a remote interview with the same attitude as an on-site interview. Dress smartly and try to put yourself in a positive, upbeat and relaxed frame of mind. Choose a well-lit room and a distraction-free environment and be on time to start the interview.

Be sure to test beforehand that your equipment and Internet connection are working and that you have enough power in your device for the whole interview. It is also worth saving the interviewer's telephone number in case you need to contact them at the time of the interview if for some reason you are unable to join the meeting.

During the interview, articulate clearly and avoid speaking too quickly. Sometimes the connection may cut in and out, but this is not something to be alarmed about. If you can't hear a question properly or if something is unclear, don’t be afraid to ask. To mimic natural eye contact, try to look into the camera as much as possible. Try to be yourself, even if remotely!

Job applicants may be invited to group interviews if there is a large number of applicants or if the employer otherwise needs to interview them at the same time. Group interviews give the interviewer the opportunity to observe how the applicants behave in group situations. You can prepare for a group interview in the same way as for other job interviews, but you should be aware that the dynamics and content may differ from a traditional interview. In a group interview, you can answer questions when it is your turn, show that you are able take other people into consideration and have the opportunity to make your answers stand out.

Tips for group interviews:

Prepare for a group interview as you would for any other interview. Answer questions on your own turn and behave in a polite and positive way towards others, even if they are applying for the same job. While it is other people's turn to answer, you will have time to reflect on your own answers. You can also get ideas from other people's answers, but don't mimic them – be consistent in your answers and be yourself. You can also demonstrate your listening skills by referring to what other candidates have said during the interview. Go into the situation with an open mind, as it may be different from a traditional interview.

At the end of the interview

Thank everyone present for the interview. Make sure you know the next steps of the recruitment process and what is expected of you. After the interview, reflect on where you did well and where you could still improve. You can write these things down. This reflection can serve as a good support for future interviews. If you do not hear from the interviewer in the timeframe you were given, you can politely contact them yourself and ask what is happening in the recruitment process.

The interview may lead to another interview, your selection or not being selected. If you are not selected, it is normal to feel disappointed. Make the most of the interview you have been through and turn your thoughts to the next job application. Sometimes it is possible that the runner-up applicant will get the job, as personal situations can change. On the other hand, you may get an offer for another job that you feel you are better suited for.

If you do get an offer, find out about the salary and terms and conditions of employment in the sector. You can also read more about salary requests and employment contracts here. TEK student members can also benefit from TEK's legal and salary advice.

References

References are people who know you and can give the employer their views on your work. Recruiters or hiring managers usually want to contact references to learn more about you and to check what kind of employee you are. For example, they want to know what others think of your work contribution and how they think you have performed in previous jobs.

You may be asked for references towards the end of the recruitment process, for example after an interview. You should therefore ask people you know in advance to be your references. Before you share their contact details with recruiters, make sure they are willing to act as your references and have given you permission to share their contact details.

If you know that a recruiter is going to call your references, you should inform your references in advance. You should also tell your references what role you are applying for. This will help them to prepare for telling potential employers about you in a way that is appropriate to your situation. You don’t need to include the references' details on your CV, you can simply state that you will provide references upon request. It's a good idea to stay on good terms with your former employers and members of your network, as you may want to ask one of them to be your reference in the future.

Who can act as a reference?

Your reference can be, for example, a former supervisor, a colleague, a business partner, a client or someone who knows you professionally. You should ask someone who has had the opportunity to observe you in action and who knows you well enough. If you have no previous work experience, consider asking someone from your hobby or position of responsibility, or a member of the teaching staff who knows you, to be your reference.

Suitability assessment

The recruitment process may also include a suitability assessment. When it is used, it is typically commissioned late in the process for a few top candidates. So getting a call for an assessment is a good sign: it shows that you are likely to be in the running for the job!

A suitability assessment can assess your personal strengths, your style of working and the things that interest and motivate you in your job. By comparing these with the characteristics of the job and workplace you are applying for, the assessment will give an idea of how likely you are to succeed and thrive in the job. It's worth noting that the assessment will never measure you as an employee in general, but only your suitability for that particular role in that particular organisation.

You can prepare for the assessment by thinking in advance about what motivates and interests you most about the position and the organisation you are applying for. You can also think about the types of roles, situations and environments in which you feel you are at your best, and the feedback you have received from others. If you have only limited work experience, you could also think about examples of projects you have done as a hobby or as part of your studies.

Be yourself in the assessment and try to maintain a positive attitude. Assessments can be stressful, especially when it’s your first time, but don't be too scared: the aim of the assessment isn’t finding the perfect person, but someone who is well enough suited to the job and the workplace. Whether you are hired or not, it's always a good idea to think of the assessment as a learning experience. So make sure you take advantage of your assessment to get feedback!