Before the interview

Get ready for the D-Day

Carefully check over your CV in order to have your work record clearly in your mind (you will
certainly be asked to comment on it point by point). You may also want to re-read any work
certificates that are particularly positive. Also revise the job description as well as your cover
letter. Memorize all the information that you are sure to be asked at the interview.
Prepare yourself to answer any questions on any gaps in your CV or any sections that may be
unclear.
Prepare examples that will allow you to demonstrate your skills, your know-how and your ability
to manage multiple tasks.
Gather information on the company (e.g. turnover, number of employees, market position, name
of the founder, country in which the head office is located, name of the CEO, etc.). Based on this
information, prepare a few questions about the job or the company, the work methods, the
organization, etc. and write these down.
Carefully prepare your materials the night before.
On your writing pad, put the name and number of the person whom you are meeting, along with
the company's address.
Find a salary scale for your profession in order to be able to indicate your salary expectations.
(salary calculator in French, German or Italian)
o It is better to indicate a salary range rather than a precise amount.
o The gross salary is what is usually discussed.
o Some companies refer to an annual salary, others to a monthly one; calculate both and jot
them down on your writing pad so you won't be caught off guard.
o Always keep in mind the minimum amount you wish to get. But think it through if you are
offered a lower amount. Sometimes it's worth considering a company's employment
benefits and downgrading one's salary expectations (for instance, if your health insurance
as well as your family's are covered by the company, if there is free child care, etc.)

QUESTION ABOUT YOUR WORK RECORD

What do you think about your work record/are you happy with your work record?
Why do you want to change jobs?
What failures have you experienced in your career so far? How do you explain these?
You have worked for three different employers over the last five years. How long do you expect
to stay with us?
How did you fit in at company XYZ?
What did you do between April and September XXXX? (a question that is asked when there are
chronological holes in the CV)
Tell me about your profession.
What were your greatest achievements?
What were the best results you obtained?
What did you learn during that time?

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 QUESTION ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION

Why did you choose to study that? Or, why did you not pursue advanced education?
Why did you quit your studies?
Did you work during your studies?
What do you value about your education?
What did you do between high school/secondary school and university? (a question that is asked if
there is a hole in your CV.)
What is your level in German? Be prepared to speak upon request and to answer spontaneously in
the languages that you know.
Why didn't you pursue ongoing training in this area?

QUESTION ABOUT YOUR PROFFESION

Why did you choose this profession?

What do you know about this industry?
Do you know the main competitors in our industry?
How do you see your career developing in the coming years?
Have you ever considered re-training?
Why did you decide to re-train?
Don't you think you're overqualified for this position?
Where do you see yourself in three/five/ten years?

QUESTION ABOUT YOUR WORK PRACTICES

Do you ever take work home with you in the evenings or on the weekends?
How do you deal with pressure at work?
Why do you enjoy teamwork?
How do you function within a group? (What role do you like to play within a group?)
How do you react to conflict when it arises in your department?
What do you do if you have a disagreement with your supervisor?
What character traits irritate you the most?

QUESTION RELATED TO THE COMPANY

Why did you choose our company?

Why did you respond to our ad?
Why would you like to work for us?
What do you know about our company?
In your opinion, what constitutes a good (the job you wish to have at the company)?
Referring to the adjectives you provided, the recruiter will ask you whether you possess those
specific skills. (Use examples to illustrate your response.)
What contribution do you think you can make here? Why should we hire you?
Are you in touch with other companies?

Be careful about using jargon and abbreviations specific to your profession. If you are speaking with a
human resources representative, there is a good chance that this person will be unfamiliar with your field
and therefore won't understand your language.

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 INTRUSIVE QUESTION

During the interview, the recruiter may try to test you to observe how you react to certain situations.
To this end, the recruiter may ask you some personal questions that you are not legally required to answer
(refer to article 328b C.O.)*. Prepare your answers to avoid becoming confused in this situation.

Do you have a girl/boyfriend?

Why did you get divorced?
Why aren't you married?
Do you belong to a union?
Etc.

Don't leave these questions hanging; even if they are intrusive you should give an answer. However,
the way you respond will reflect your personality, so don't go to pieces!

PREPARE THE QUESTION THAT YOU WILL ASK THE RECRUITER DURING THE INTERVIEW

To give you some ideas, we have created a short list of questions that you can jot down on your pad
before the interview. Don't forget to record the recruiter's answers.

In which department is the job?

Where is the job positioned on the company's organization chart?
How many people will there be in my team/department?
Who will be my supervisors/subordinates?
What projects are currently in progress?
What is your company's development policy?
What is the corporate culture like?
Is this a new position or a replacement?
Will training be required for this position?
What will be my responsibilities or my tasks? What is the job description?
What are the prospects for growth in the job?

If the recruiter does not broach the subject, don't raise the issue of salary or employment benefits during
the first interview.

Some questions should generally wait until the end of the interview, when the recruiter will ask you if
there is anything else you would like to know:

What is the next step in the recruitment process? (Record the answer precisely)
Who will be getting in touch? You or the company?
When is this likely to happen?

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A few basic rules for a successful phone call
1. Prepare a guiding thread for the questions you want to ask. Gather information about the
company beforehand and use this information to ask relevant questions or to build on what the
other person is saying. Write down words and expressions that belong to the job description or to
the type of position you pursue and use them to add value to your application. Prepare answers to
the typical questions asked in a job interview (for example naming your strengths and weaknesses,
explaining why you would be the ideal candidate for the position, etc.). It is better to be well
prepared than to be surprised. That way you will leave a more positive impression.
2. Choose the appropriate time for calling (preferably in a quiet environment, at home).
3. Introduce yourself (first name and last name) and ask if you can speak to Mr / Mrs XX or to the
head of the division in question. Do not specify the object subject of your phone call, unless you
are asked to.
4. Be kind with the assistant who picks up the phone, she might be more influential than you may
think... It is best to remain courteous in any situation. Ask for their name and position and write
them down. Even if you were not able to speak to the person you wanted to reach, keep in mind
that the person who picks up the phone is your first contact in the company where you would like
to work.
5. Don't waste the other person's time.
6. Listen carefully and do not interrupt them. Try to establish a dialogue.
7. Discreetly take notes of what the person is saying.
8. Do not apologize for the disturbance. If the person didn't want to be disturbed they would not
have picked up your call in the first place.
9. Suggest several possible dates for an appointment. Instead of asking yes or no questions such as
"could we meet?" try to use open-ended questions like when could we meet?.
10. Write down the time and place of the appointment and if necessary the floor, the reception desk,
the name of the person and their position. Ask for their email address as it can be useful if you
haven't yet sent in your application file. If you are planning to go to the appointment by car, ask if
visitors parking spaces are available.
11. Don't forget to thank the person before hanging up. Confirm by repeating the date and time of
the appointment or the next step that should be taken if you couldn't speak with the person you
were trying to reach.
12. Don't forget to prepare a message in case you need to leave one on an answering machine.
Clearly spell out your name and phone number. You can also mention that you are calling
regarding an ad for a particular position.
13. Also think about recording a professional message on your own answering machine, such as:
Hello, you have reached first name and last name. I am not available at the moment. Please leave
a message with your name and number and I will call you back as soon as possible. Thank you.
14. If the person you wanted to reach is not available, ask when it is convenient for you to call back.
You can also ask for their direct number, even though it is more likely that you will have to go
through an operator.
They might also suggest calling you back. When this happens, do not rush to pick up the phone,
make sure your voice and mind are clear and keep your application file within reach. If you are in
unfavorable circumstances (for example in a crowded bus, driving, shopping with you kids, etc.),
let the phone ring and call back later when you are available and in better conditions. It is better
not to answer than to take the risk of leaving a bad impression.

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Goal: obtaining an interview

A phone call aims at the same result as a cover letter: obtaining an interview. Therefore, make sure to put
the odds in your favor by preparing carefully, for example following a guiding thread of questions you
want to ask and information you need to get.

Straight to the point

The phone call should be rather short. The person you are talking to shouldn't feel like they are wasting
their time talking to you. Get straight to the point, namely getting an interview.

Documents you should keep in reach

Your CV (with relevant information highlighted)

The job ad
A piece of paper and a pen
Your organizer
A copy of your cover letter or email (if you have already sent it)

Controlling your voice

Speak with composure and slowly.

Articulate.
If possible, slightly drop your chin to prevent your voice from rising up.
Remain calm and polite.
Smile! (communication experts know very well that a smile can be heard though the phone.)

Topics that should be avoided on the first phone conversation

Salary.
Vacations and other benefits offered by the company, even if they are publicly known.
Don't get too personal. For example, avoid talking about hobbies, even if you have found out
while googling their name that the person you are talking to is a water-ski champion.
Avoid commonplace topics (such as weather, traveling, sports, etc.) that are not related to the
interview and will give the impression that you are not serious or that you are wasting the
interviewer's time.