Ace Your Interview: Land your Dream Job in Europe (No matter your background)

Everyone feels nervous before an interview, and it’s a universal experience. So, let’s establish what a job interview is; A job interview is a conversation between a job applicant and a representative of an employer to assess whether the applicant should be hired. Therefore, the interview process is designed to evaluate and assess the suitability of candidates based on their knowledge, skills, and experience. They can be conducted by an individual, usually the hiring manager or a panel of interviewers from within the organisation. 

Now, after much hunting, you have finally found the job you can apply for. You fit all the criteria and you just know you would be perfect for it. You update your CV, write a cover letter highlighting your key strengths, and send everything off. The only thing left is to keep a keen eye on your mobile phone and wait for it to buzz. If you belong to this category. Then don’t worry in this article, you will know how best to ace your job interview in any European Country.

First, we will cover some essential tips to help you prepare and perform well in your next interview

• ENQUIRE ABOUT THE COMPANY: When you apply for a job, the available information about the organization you will be working for might be limited. That’s why it’s essential to do your research ahead of the interview. Go to their social media pages, visit their website, the company review sites, and even their competitors. Researching the company you are applying to is an important part of preparing for an interview. Not only will it help provide context for your interview conversations, but it will also help you when preparing thoughtful questions for your interviewers.
• PREPARE FOR QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE ASKED: Every interview varies, but certain types of questions are most likely to come up. It will be worth preparing answers to these questions so that you can respond confidently. Some of which include; Why do you want to work here? What interests you about this role? What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? Why Are You Looking to Leave Your Current Company? How Do You Deal With Pressure? What Are Your Salary Requirements or Expectations? A big part of being well-prepared for a job interview involves having an idea of the kinds of questions you will be asked so you can rehearse your answers ahead of time.
•  FORMULATE THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INTERVIEWER: Many employers feel confident about candidates who ask serious-minded questions about the company and the position. You should take time before the interview to prepare several questions for your interviewer(s) that show you’ve researched the company and are well-versed in the position.
• MAKE SURE TO PRACTICE: After preparing for the questions they might ask you, you should practise. Whether you have been to lots of interviews or it is your first interview, This is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and to see which questions you need to work on. Ask a friend or family member to go over the most common interview questions and to provide feedback on your overall performance. Although some companies may ask more obscure questions than others, it’s more than likely that a couple of the traditional questions will show up too, so be prepared!  
• DECIDE ON WHAT TO WEAR: Before your interview, put some thought into your attire. The night before your interview or even earlier go through your closet or on a quick shopping trip so, you have your outfit planned and laid out well ahead of time so you’re not scrambling to figure out what to wear before you head out the door.it’s important to convey professionalism in your interview attire while. A button-up shirt can send a message that you mean business. A top with an interesting print might help to convey your creativity or dynamism. A tidy knit pullover or a nice cotton shirt will demonstrate that you have considered your appearance during a remote interview. Remember that your interviewer is expecting professionalism.
• FEEDBACK: It can be a good idea to show your intent and professionalism by sending a quick post-interview question to the interviewer, thanking them for taking the time to meet you. If your interest in the company has grown since the interview, you should mention this in the message. Thank you notes are super important. Regardless of what you heard, how the interview went, or your level of excitement afterward, everyone you met deserves one. I’m talking genuine, personalized, thank-you notes 

Read also: The Benefits of Working Abroad

Now, During the interview

• Arrive Early: Unless instructed otherwise, always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. This will give you time to settled in and get comfortable in the space before jumping into the interviews. Don’t arrive too early and not too late either. Know where you’re going and use Google Maps or any other GPS instrument to plan your route ahead of time. If you’ve been there before, consider running a test drive. Test driving a couple of days prior will allow you to adjust accordingly for the day of your interview. If you realise you’re running behind and won’t make it to the interview on time, reach out immediately and explain your situation. 
• Print Copies of Your Resume: While you likely submitted a copy of your resume along with your application, it’s still a good practice to print off a few copies to bring along with you. You can keep one copy to refer to throughout the interview yourself, then hand out the remaining copies to each of the interviewers in the room. Before you even get to the interview, be sure to do a quick runthrough of your resume. There’s a reason you got an interview, so you want to make sure you remember every line on your resume in case they question anything or want more information,

• Be yourself, Be Confident; Also, try as much as you can to just be yourself. Being natural is important, so that your personality and skill shine through in how you answer questions, and not just the content of what you say. Your answers should help the interviewer draw up a picture of you that will continue to become more complete as the interview goes forward. Clear and straightforward answers will show the interviewer that you have what it takes to fill the position. Honesty is important!
• Market Your Skills and Experience: In every answer you give to your interviewer’s questions, tie it back to your relevant skill set and experience. Remember, you’re selling your skills in this interview. You want to showcase why you are the best person for the job, so be sure to use every opportunity given to you to prove this.
• Remain Professional: Sometimes if something feels like it’s a great fit, it’s easy to let your guard down and start acting a bit more comfortable than you should in a job interview scenario. Remember that even if it feels like you’re all but guaranteed the job, you’re still marketing yourself and you need to keep putting your best foot forward. Don’t get overconfident, don’t get too comfortable, and don’t forget where you are. Remain professional from the moment you walk through the door until well past the interview has ended.

Now that you know how to ace an interview, it’s time to start applying and setting up job interviews with potential new employers. Good luck!