6. The job interview: online and face to face

Before the interview

• Ask about the format: online or face to face, how long, who will be there, whether there is a test, a case study or a presentation.
• Learn about the employer: what it does, its customers, recent news.
• Online interview: test the camera, microphone and internet connection, choose a quiet place with a neutral background, keep your CV in front of you, dress as for a face-to-face meeting.
• Interview in another country? Ask whether the employer covers travel costs – practice differs between countries and companies.

Questions about competences

Many employers use competency-based (structured) interviews: “Tell us about a time when you…”. Answer with a short story – the situation, your task, what you did and the result. Prepare five or six such examples from studies, student jobs, projects or volunteering.

During the interview

• Arrive (or log in) a few minutes early.
• Answer fully but briefly and stick to facts that matter for the job. Never lie – references and certificates are checked.
• Show that you want this job and know why you fit it.
• Prepare two or three questions of your own – about the team, training or the first months in the job.
• Pay and conditions: in many countries they come up only in a later round; know the usual salary for the job before you go. Typical pay and minimum wages: country guides »

After the interview

A short thank-you e-mail is welcome in many countries. If you are rejected, you can politely ask for feedback – it helps with the next interview. Customs differ from country to country (handshake, how formal, how long a decision takes) – EURES describes them in its country information.

Sources: EURES – services for jobseekers · EURES – living and working conditions Checked: 3 October 2026.