Job interview

How does a job interview work?

Before the job interview:

• Usually, you will get a call that you are invited to a job interview.
  • If the proposed appointment does not work for you (for example, you have a doctor’s appointment), make another suggestion as to when it will suit you better.
  • If there are already many questions asked on the phone and you are unprepared for the call, you can safely say that you would like to call back in about 1 hour.

• You should try to find out as much as possible about the company and this job:
  • Use the internet and google the company
  • Use the internet and google the job
  • Find out more through the AMS Career Compass
  • Go to the company:
    • So you know how long you need from home to the company, so you do not come too late
    • So you know where the entrance of the building is
    • You see the clothes of the other employees and know how elegant you should be for the job interview
  • You should practice the job interview with your Austrian friends or spouse. First in your mother tongue and then in German.
  • Collect all your certificates and documents neatly and orderly in a folder:
    • Asylum notice with work permit
    • CV
    • Certificates: school, work, volunteer work
    • Confirmations and certificates: German courses, value and orientation course, other courses
  • Think about what salary you want:
    • Look at what you typically earn in this job: gehaltskompass.at.
    • Use the gross-net calculator to figure out how much money you actually have left to live.

On the way to a job interview:

• A neat look is important: clean shoes, no sandals or flip-flops, dark socks, white shirt or blouse …
• You should definitely be on time. This means that you should plan your arrival so that you are with the company about 15 minutes before the appointment. Being late is a sign of disrespect and unreliability.
• Register at the reception to show that you have arrived on time and wait.
• Make sure your phone is completely turned off.

At job interview:

• The welcoming of your conversation partner:
  • Give a firm handshake, smile and look the other person in the eye. Here, we make no distinction between women and men, because shaking hands is a sign of respect.
  • In Austria we say “Grüß Gott” or “Guten Tag”. “Hallo” is too informal.
  • You should in no case use informal language towards the people you meet within the company. Always use the polite form and address them with the last name.
• Pay attention to your body language:
  • Hang up your jacket, put your bag aside
  • Do not cross your arms over your chest
  • Look in the eye of your conversation partner

• You should be able to answer every question as quickly and directly as possible. If you do not understand a question, it is okay to ask or ask your counterpart to speak more slowly. Typical questions are:
  • Why did you apply to our company?
  • Why did you apply for this job?
  • Please introduce yourself!
    • Here you should summarize your CV in your own words in 1 to 2 minutes.
  • What sets you apart from the many competitors? Why should we choose you right now?
  • What are your strengths and your weaknesses? Do you have an example?
  • Do you enjoy working in a team?
  • How do you deal with stressful situations or conflicts? Can you give us a concrete example from your past?
  • What do you do in your free time?
  • How much money do you want to earn?
    • Here, please mention the gross salary that you calculated in advance.
    • The salary is a matter of negotiation. Watch out that you are neither too high nor too low. But expect that you will be traded down, so better start higher.
  • Do you still have questions?
    • Here you should definitely ask a question to show your interest in the job. For example:
      • When would my first day at work be?
      • What is the team I would work in?
      • What expectations do you have of me as an employee?

After the job interview:

• While you’re waiting for the job approval or rejection, you should definitely continue to apply for other jobs every day. Only when you have signed an employment contract, you can stop looking for a job.