A man in a face-to-face interview with a female candidate.

Tips for your job interview to make a great impression at every stage

An interview is your opportunity to present yourself at your best. With our practical tips from preparation to follow-up, you’ll be well equipped to leave a lasting impression.

Good preparation for your interview is key:
Discover how to approach it

A successful job interview begins long before the actual meeting. Thorough preparation not only increases your chances of success, but also helps you appear more confident. This guide explains how to prepare effectively, what questions you may be asked, and how to follow up professionally after the interview.

The 8 most important tips
for general interview preparation

Use the following tips to be well prepared and to convey professionalism.

Research the company

Learn about the industry, products, values, and latest news.

Understand the job profile

Analyse the requirements and compare them with your own skills.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

Prepare examples that clearly demonstrate your abilities.

Practise your self-introduction

Keep it short (1–2 minutes) and focus on key highlights.

Plan your outfit

Choose a professional look that fits the company culture.

Check your technology

For video or phone interviews, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection.

Prepare questions

Write down two to three thoughtful questions for the employer.

Manage your time

Plan your journey or login early to avoid unnecessary stress.

Convincing interview answers
thanks to the STAR method

The proven STAR method helps structure answers clearly and logically, especially when talking about experience or skills.

Situation

Describe the context or challenge.

Task

Explain the responsibility or objective.

Action

Describe the steps taken.

Result

Conclude with the outcome and contribution to success.

Example

In my previous role as Marketing Manager (Situation), I was responsible for optimising social media campaigns (Task). I developed a new targeting strategy and ran A/B tests (Action), which increased the click-through rate by 25% (Result).

Phone interviews
as a first introduction

The phone interview is often the first step in the selection process. It helps create an initial impression and clarify open questions. For companies, it is a quick and efficient way to get to know candidates and define next steps. With the right preparation, it is possible to make a strong first impression.
Quiet environment
Ensure a calm, distraction-free setting.
Check technology
Test battery, reception, and headset in advance.
Keep notes ready
Job profile, own questions, and key talking points at hand.
Smiling can be heard
Ensure a friendly voice, clear articulation.
Short and to the point
Answers not too long, but meaningful.
Ask questions

Show interest in the company and the role.

The typical phases of an interview
at a glance

Greeting & small talk
First impressions matter. Be friendly, open, and maintain eye contact. For video interviews, turn on the camera.
Self-presentation
Short and concise: Who are you, what do you bring, and why this position?
Professional questions
This phase focuses on skills and experience. Use the STAR method explained above.
Your own questions
Show interest in the company and the role. Classic examples can be found further below.
Closing & next steps

Ask about the next steps in the process and thank them for the conversation.

Tip: Write down 2–3 key points for each phase. This helps you stay structured and avoid unnecessary pauses.

Be prepared to convince
with 10 typical interview questions

Similar questions are often asked during job interviews. With good preparation and structured answers, it is possible to form a strong first impression.

Common questions
from employers

  • Please tell us a bit about yourself.

  • What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

  • Why do you want to work for our company?

  • Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?

  • How do you handle stress or conflict?

  • What do you know about our company and industry?

  • Why did you leave your last position?

  • What motivates you in your daily work?

  • How would former colleagues describe you?

  • What salary expectations do you currently have?

Questions
you can ask to the employer

  • What does onboarding look like in the first few weeks?

  • Which goals are important for this position?

  • How would you describe the team culture?

  • What development opportunities are available?

  • What is the next step in the application process?

  • Which tools and technologies are used?

  • Are there flexible working hours or remote work?

  • How is performance measured in this role?

  • What internal trainings are available?

  • What do you personally value about working here?

Invited to an assessment center?
Tips & tricks

An assessment center is often used to evaluate professional and social skills. With the right preparation, it is possible to perform convincingly, even if the format feels unfamiliar at first.

Important: Stay authentic and do not pretend to be someone else. Personality matters.

A group of three colleagues exchanging ideas
Be active
Show engagement, without dominating.
Workshop in a group setting
Act collaboratively
Cooperative behaviour is viewed positively.
A man thinking while working on a laptop
Think structured
Structure arguments clearly and logically.
A man glancing at his watch
Manage time
Work efficiently and prioritise tasks.

The interview is over,
what’s next?

The impression you leave after the interview is just as important. A short thank-you message and a professional follow-up signal interest and reliability.

Send a brief thank-you message within the first 24 hours, expressing appreciation for the conversation and confirming interest in the position. If no feedback is received after a few days, send a friendly follow-up to ask about the current status of the process.

More articles
about job interviews

Typical questions in job interviews
Whether it's motivation, strengths or specific examples from your professional experience: many questions can be prepared well in advance. Learn how to respond.
Warning signs in an interview
An interview is also an important decision-making tool for you, not only for them. Pay attention to any signs that might indicate a lack of professionalism.
A woman using her smartphone

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