What is important to consider before the job interview?

Congratulations on your interview!

Preparation is key when going to an interview.

When the employer contacts you for an interview, remember to ask about

• Who you will be meeting and their position
• How long the interview will last and if you need to prepare anything special
• If you should bring anything to the interview, such as contact details of your references, work samples
• If there will be any tests or analysis

What you can do before the interview

• Read the advertisement and your application again, so that you know what you have written in the application
• Read up on the employer, both their website but also use other sources to find useful information about the employer
• Prepare your own questions for the employer. What is important for you to know about the position and the employer for you to accept a possible offer from them?
• Think about what you have to offer the employer. Why are you the best person for the job? What can you bring to the employer?
• Practice answering the most common interview questions. As a member, you can book interview training with a career advisor
• Check the salary statistics for the position you are applying for. Log in to Saco lönesök or contact Naturvetarnas member advice at radgivning@naturvetarna.se or 08-466 24 80
• Think about salary claims, but wait until the employer raises the issue
• Check how you will get to the interview
• Prepare what to wear to the interview

Things to think about during the interview

• Be on time for the interview, preferably 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time
• The interview starts as soon as you enter the door of the employer
• Remember to have an open body language during the interview. Avoid sitting with your arms crossed.
• Try to make eye contact with the people interviewing you.
• Show interest in the employer and the job
• Important to listen to the question before you answer
• Have you received answers to the questions you prepared?
• Remember to thank the interviewer for the interview and ask about the next steps in the process

What you can do after the interview

• Evaluate the interview - think about what went well and what went less well. Was there any question that you found difficult to answer? Write it down and practice it for the next interview.
• Follow up with an email thanking the employer for the interview
• If you don't get the job, ask for feedback from the employer. Don't settle for the fact that they took someone with more experience, for example. Ask for genuine feedback so that you can improve for your next interview.

And finally, remember that you have been called for an interview, which means that you have something that the employer is interested in. Be yourself and go in with the feeling that you already landed the job.
Good luck to you!