How to succeed in a job interview

Being called in for an interview is the first milestone in the application process. Through your CV and application, you have convinced the employer that you are motivated and possess the skills they are looking for. It’s not uncommon to feel nervous; it simply shows that this matters to you. 

The interview should be an equal meeting between two parties, you and the employer. Try to view the interview as an opportunity for you to get to know the employer and the workplace. In addition to the employer deciding whom to hire, you need to determine if the employer offers a job and environment in which you can thrive. 

1) Different types of interviews

An interview can take place in several different ways, and usually, the employer has prepared some questions they want answers to.

In structured interviews, all candidates receive exactly the same questions. This is a common interview method in the public sector, where competence is the decisive factor in evaluating candidates. The idea is that answers in structured interviews are easier to compare because all candidates receive exactly the same questions.

In semi-structured interviews, the employer has planned the topics, but the interview takes the form of a conversation, and the questions are often adapted to the interviewee.

An unstructured interview is more like an open conversation. Perhaps the employer invites you for a chat or coffee? If you want to work for this employer, you need to be as well-prepared for this meeting as if you were called in for a formal interview.  

An interview can also take place in groups with several invited candidates. Employers often use this method to see what role you take in a group and how you solve tasks together with others. Before the interview, you should reflect on what kind of role you take in group work, what your strengths and weaknesses are in collaborating with others, and how you handle different personality types.  

Digital interviews do not necessarily differ much from regular interviews, except that you communicate via a screen. Ensure that necessary programs are updated, that you have a stable internet connection, and that your laptop charger is available. Think about what you will do if there are technical issues. Even if you are sitting in your own living room, you should look presentable and ensure that your surroundings are tidy. 

If you are called in for a speed interview, you must be prepared to present yourself in a short amount of time. Highlight some key points that you consider important for the position, based on the job advertisement and your research. It is crucial to be extra well-prepared and to ensure that you do not go off on a tangent. Do not think that you have to talk all the time; allow the employer to ask questions even if time is limited. 

Large consultancy firms and trainee programmes often use an assessment centre in the recruitment process. Here, several candidates are invited simultaneously, and various recruitment methods are used in the selection process. This is an intensive interview format that usually lasts a whole day. Typically, you will complete a work psychology test beforehand, and in addition to an interview, you will undertake an analysis and presentation task and a group exercise. 

A case interview is an interview where the entire or part of the interview involves solving a specific task. Sometimes the task is given in advance, and you are asked to prepare, while other times the task is given during the interview. This allows you to showcase your skills, even if you do not have work experience in the area. As an academic, you are trained in much of what needs to be ‘proven’ in a case task. For example, you can demonstrate that you structure information, ask good questions, think logically, analyse, and present. Remember that the goal is not necessarily to arrive at the correct answer but to show how you solve the task. Although it may seem daunting, most people who undergo a case interview say it is a valuable experience.  

2) Preparing for an interview

Read the job advertisement and your application a few days before the interview to refresh your memory on what the position entails, what motivates you about the role, and which skills you chose to highlight in your application. Often, in a first interview, you will have the opportunity to discuss your skills and how they can be applied to the position. If the employer is looking for skills you may not yet have had the opportunity to acquire, you should also be prepared to have a conversation about this.  

When you are called in for an interview, you can ask who you will be meeting. Look them up so that you know who they are and what their roles are. You should continue your research. Who is the employer? Do they stand for values and initiatives that you can identify with and provide examples of why they are important to you? What do you think of the work they do, and do you have any ideas on how they can take their work further? 

Being prepared to answer the relevant question an employer has is essential, but the interview should also allow you to get answers to your questions. Therefore, you will most likely be asked: ‘Do you have any questions?’ Think about what you are genuinely curious about. Asking questions shows that you are engaged, interested, and inquisitive. 

An interview can take place in various ways, and some may feel that extroverts have an advantage in certain interview formats. This is often because extroverts can appear more outgoing, engaged, and enthusiastic, and are not afraid of attention. However, it is worth noting that introverts often handle interview situations just as well. Introverts often know themselves well, take their time to think over questions before answering, and can thus provide interesting and thoughtful reflections. Be yourself and highlight your qualities. A workplace benefits from having both introverted and extroverted personality types that can complement each other. 

3) On the day of the interview

Stress can get the better of you, therefore it is important to set aside time to relax and unwind. Allow yourself to think about something else. Put on a podcast or your favourite music, go for a walk, do something that brings you joy and relaxation. Plan your route and arrive at the interview 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time. 

Plan your outfit and dress as you think they do at the workplace. In your research, you can look to see if the employees wear shirts or if you can dress in slightly casual but neat and clean clothes. In any case, take off your hat or cap when you go in, and avoid wearing tracksuit bottoms. 

Sometimes there are several people from the company in the room during the interview. First impressions are important, so make sure to have a firm handshake with each of them and make eye contact with everyone in the room, even during the interview. You might be asked if you would like coffee or water. Show that you appreciate it and feel free to accept. Body language also plays an important role during the job interview, as it can affect how you are perceived. Be mindful of how you sit on the chair, how what you say aligns with your body language, and listen actively to the interviewer by nodding and smiling appreciatively. Remember that the most important thing is to be genuine and comfortable with your own body language. This will help create a positive first impression and increase your chances of succeeding in the interview. 

If you have been asked to prepare a presentation about yourself, it is important that you have prepared a pitch and stick to the time limit. This gives a good start to the interview and a solid basis for further conversation and questions. Ideally, the employer will be convinced that you are the right candidate after a good presentation.

4) Common interview questions

The most common questions in an interview are about you and your skills, and how you can use them in the position you are applying for. They may also concern your motivation for the job and the tasks, as well as your knowledge of the company and the industry in general. Going online, you may find many examples of typical interview questions, so familiarise yourself with these. 

Furthermore, they may want to assess how you think and work by asking so-called behavioural questions. These questions are presented as a case, and you must demonstrate how you think and proceed in a hypothetical situation. Therefore, it can be useful in your interview preparation to reflect on situations you have encountered that describe how you handle various scenarios. Familiarise yourself with what typical questions are and use these as a basis. For example, it could be a conflict, a stressful situation, achieving results, or a difficult task. How did you proceed? How did you solve it? 

Another category of questions is surprise questions. With these questions, the employer wants to see how you handle and reflect on questions that break your expectations. Do you get stressed? Do you start laughing? Do you answer from a professional or personal standpoint? Do you think before you speak or respond spontaneously? There is no definitive answer on how you should handle this. Ultimately, it is often about chemistry and your ability to reflect on the question. 

If the employer gives you the opportunity to ask questions, you should take advantage of this. Perhaps you want to ask for clarification on something that was said during the Interview? You can also ask questions about the organisation of the workplace. How many people work on similar tasks? Can they describe what a typical workday looks like? What is the work environment like? Other questions might concern development opportunities. Ask them to explain what they think is necessary to succeed in the job. 

How does the employer support the professional development and learning of employees? Finally, you can ask them to explain the next steps in the process and when you can expect to hear back. 

5) Common answers

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

This is a broad question, so feel free to take five to ten minutes to answer it. To keep it concise, you should think through what you want to say beforehand. Highlight the most relevant points from your CV and application. Did you write a thesis on a relevant topic? Mention it. Have you held a position or role with relevant responsibilities? Mention it. Instead of listing all the places you have worked, you can say that you have extensive experience in, for example, customer service. Talk about specific things you have learned from various experiences and emphasise the skills you bring to the new job. Also, remember to briefly mention who you are outside of work. Since you spend a lot of time with colleagues, getting to know each other beyond the professional level can be nice, but it should not be the main focus. 

What are your strengths? 

Talking about your strengths during a job interview is an important part of presenting yourself as a suitable candidate for the position. Before the interview, you should look at the job posting and make a list of relevant skills you want to highlight. Pick out skills from your studies, abilities, and personal qualities that match the job posting and the role you are applying for. 

For each strength you mention, you should provide concrete examples that illustrate how you have used this strength in the past and how it has led to positive results. One method you can use when giving examples is the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Describe what the situation was, the task you were given, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. Do not be afraid to use examples from your studies or an experience that is not directly relevant. What is important is that you show that the skills provide value to the employer by being transferable to the job you are applying for. 

What are your weaknesses/improvement areas? 

We all have things to work on and areas where we can improve. Often, a trait can function as a strength in some situations, while in others it will be a weakness. Alternatively, too much of a positive trait can have a negative effect. For example, being thorough can be a strength, but being too thorough can affect efficiency. When you get questions about weaknesses or areas for improvement, you should not automatically think that you should answer by turning the weakness into something positive. 

What is important when talking about your weaknesses is the reflection you base it on. Self-awareness is the key here, and this is what the employer is assessing by asking this question. Show self-awareness by reflecting on your areas for improvement and say something about what it means to you. How does it affect the job you are going to do, and do you have concrete examples of measures you have taken to handle the weakness? Reflections that show a willingness and desire to develop and handle uncertainty will be perceived positively. 

Why do you want this job? 

This is something you are most likely to be asked, so try to have a well-thought-out answer that shows you want the job. Based on what you now know from the research you have done, explain what it is about the job that excites you. Try to cover several aspects. Keywords can be social responsibility, the company’s development, skills, tasks, future prospects, role in the position, colleagues, work environment. You can go a long way by showing that you really want the job, and a positive body language helps underline your motivation. The employer will feel more confident that you want to contribute and have the drive to learn, deliver results, and develop your skills. 

Have you ever been in a conflict? 

It is common to get questions related to conflict management. It can be worth reflecting on what constitutes a conflict. If it is not clearly defined by the person asking, you can ask for clarification. For example, is it a personal or a professional conflict? Here, it is usually about being able to show reflection. Prepare by thinking about whether you have been in a situation that felt conflictual. How did you handle it, and what experience did you gain from it? Did you learn anything from it? 

Regardless of the size of the conflict, be careful about how you talk about the other party. Do not speak ill of others, no matter how much you disagree or how poorly you were treated by the other person. Doing so can make the employer unsure of how you might speak about them if you were to have a conflict in the future. 

Private questions 

There are questions that are not allowed to be asked in an interview. These are outlined in the Working Environment Act to prevent discrimination*. Questions regarding sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, beliefs, pregnancy, adoption, or family planning are not allowed. Employers also cannot ask about political views, marital status, or membership in employee organisations unless it is relevant to the position you are applying for. 

If you are worried that any of these topics might come up, it can be helpful to think of a suitable response. Also, consider that if you receive such a question, it might not be the place you want to work. 

*https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2005-06-17-62#KAPITTEL_14

Salary

When asked about salary during a job interview, it is important to be prepared and balance the desire for a specific salary with the ability to appear flexible and open to discussion. Often, salary does not come up until later in the recruitment process, but if you are asked about it in the interview, you can say that you are looking for a competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience. This signals that you want fair compensation but are willing to negotiate.

You can also respond by asking a question back. For example, you can ask them to indicate the salary range they have in mind for this role. As preparation for the interview, you can try to research the average salary for similar positions in the industry and location where you are applying. If you are a member of a trade union, they may have statistics available for this. 

6) Try AI

Karriereveiledning.no has developed a tool where ChatGPT is used to create examples of tailored questions that you might get in a job interview. Try it out by entering the job advertisement for the position you are applying for 

Try the tool "Øv deg på intervjuspørsmål" on Karriereveiledning.no 

7) Personality, skills and aptitude tests

An increasing number of employers and recruitment firms are using tests to assess job applicants in areas considered important for job satisfaction and performance. The most common types of occupational psychological tests are aptitude and skills tests, and personality tests. The test results are primarily used as a basis for follow-up questions during the interview, and the results are considered in conjunction with the overall job interview and reference checks. It can be beneficial to familiarise yourself with how such tests are conducted and to practise beforehand. Feel free to read more about testing in our article. 

8) After the interview

If you are asked to send documentation, contact information for references, or other materials, you should do so as quickly as possible. It is always nice to send an email thanking them for a pleasant interview. Keep it short and positive, offering to provide more information or be available for further questions. If there is something you didn’t get to say and feel it could impact the outcome, you can mention it in the same email. Always contact your references before passing on their contact information. This way, you give them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the position you have applied for. 

Handling interview situations is about practice. Be kind to yourself. Take time to reflect on how you think it went after an interview and try to learn from how you handled the situation and answered the questions. Perhaps you would answer differently? Use what you would have said in preparation for the next time you are called for an interview. 

Finally, remember to be pleased with having reached the interview stage! It means you are qualified for the position and that your application has piqued the employer’s curiosity. Interviews are a matter of practice. If you make good reflections and notes after the interview and it doesn’t go your way this time, you will have an even better starting point for the next interview. Good luck!