Checklist: the perfect job interview (after Hesse/Schrader) Preparing for job interviews 1.

What do you want to tell the interviewers about yourself, your skills and abilities, your strengths and weaknesses? Are you able to describe all these appropriately? 2. How will you get to the meeting on time? 3. What are you going to wear? If you have a long journey, consider taking a change of clothes. 4. Are you aware of the questions youre not required to answer and where you can be economical with the truth (for example, plans to start a family, involvement in a trade union, or your political views)? 5. Make sure you clearly understand the criteria by which the interviewers will assess you:
appearance, presentation and courtesy personal characteristics motivation why you are applying for the job potential leadership skills technical and social skills team working skills intellectual skills and ability to learn self-expression and communication skills overall job performance will you fit into the team/the company/the organisation The structure of the interview A good start to the meeting will set the tone for the rest of the interview The typical questions will come up throughout the interview, such as why you are ap-plying for the job or how in professional terms you have become the person you are today. Be sensitive to what may lie behind a question and use your prepared strategies to present yourself in the best possible light. Be prepared for possible prejudice: if you have a child, for example, you will need to be convincing about your childcare arrangements. Be realistic in salary negotiations and take your cue from your current salary, bearing in mind the area in which you work.