You master a job interview by reliably knowing three things: you know the company and the position well, you have a concrete example ready for each requirement, and you know beforehand what you want to earn. The rest is practice. Over a few evenings you can prepare purposefully with typical questions, a clear self-introduction and a researched salary range. These job interview tips are built around exactly that.
Key points at a glance
- Preparation decides the outcome: the job advert, the company and your own background must fit together.
- The STAR method (situation, task, action, result) gives answers to behavioural questions a clear structure.
- Your self-introduction takes about two minutes and ends with the position you are applying for.
- When it comes to salary, speak in terms of a range that you researched beforehand.
- A short thank-you email after the interview rounds off the impression.
Job interview tips: how do I prepare?
Start with the job advert, because it reveals what the company values. Mark the requirements and write down, for each one, a situation in which you showed exactly that. This can be a part-time job, an internship, a university project or volunteer work. If you are just starting to apply, the article on finding an internship (in German) offers further pointers on how to convince companies.
Then research the company beyond its website. This includes recent press releases, products, job profiles on career portals and activity on social networks. Note two or three points that genuinely interest you. From these you can later derive honest questions and a credible answer to “Why us?”
Preparation also includes the documents you applied with. Read your CV again as if you had never seen it. If it contains gaps or changes that prompt questions, you need a short, calm explanation. Tips for a consistent document are in the guide to the CV for students (in German), and the written side of your application is covered by applying as a student (in German).
What belongs in your self-introduction?
“Tell us something about yourself” is almost always the first question. What is meant is your professional path, not your CV in prose. Plan about two minutes and structure it in three steps:
- Present: What are you doing right now, for example your studies with a focus, a thesis or a part-time job?
- Path so far: Which two or three stations have shaped you professionally?
- Future: Why does exactly this position make sense as your next step?
Practise the text out loud, but do not learn it by heart. With bullet points in your head, you sound natural and can respond to how your counterpart reacts.
Which questions come up often in job interviews?
Most questions reduce to a few patterns. Behind each one is an interest of the company, and whoever recognises it answers more precisely.
| Typical question | What the company wants to know | How you answer |
|---|---|---|
| Why do you want to work for us? | Have you really informed yourself? | Name two concrete points from your research and link them to your goals |
| What are your strengths? | Do your skills match the position? | Choose one or two strengths that appear in the advert, and give one example for each |
| What are your weaknesses? | Can you assess yourself realistically? | Name a genuine weakness that is not central to the role, and explain how you deal with it |
| Tell us about a conflict in a team. | How do you handle friction? | Answer with the STAR method and emphasise the result |
| Where do you see yourself in a few years? | Is this position a sensible step for you? | Describe your professional development without promising a particular job title |
| Do you have any questions for us? | How serious is your interest? | Ask two questions you have prepared |
How does the STAR method work?
The STAR method structures answers to questions such as “Tell me about a situation in which …”. You describe the situation in one sentence, name your task, explain what you specifically did (the action), and close with the result. The emphasis lies on the action: the company wants to know what you did, not what the team did as a whole.
Example from a university project: two weeks before the deadline, the group lost a team member (situation). You took over coordination (task), redistributed tasks and introduced short daily check-ins (action). The work was submitted on time (result). Do not invent anything, because follow-up questions quickly expose invented examples.
What do I say when asked about weaknesses?
Name a weakness that is not central to the role, and show what you do about it. Someone who finds it hard to delegate tasks, for example, can describe how they now clarify responsibilities. Phrases such as “I am a perfectionist” sound rehearsed and rarely convince.
How do I come across without seeming forced?
Clothing and body language should suit the company and must not get in your way. Look at the career page or social media to see how employees present themselves, and dress one step more formally. More important than the outfit is that you feel comfortable in it.
For body language, a few simple things are enough. Sit upright, keep eye contact and let your hands rest calmly on the table or gesture in moderation. In video calls, look into the camera and make sure the background is quiet. Greet everyone present and remember their names. If you are nervous, you may say so briefly. That takes the pressure off and comes across as human.
Which mistakes should I avoid in a job interview?
Most mistakes come from a lack of time for preparation. These points often cost points in interviews:
- You cannot explain why you chose exactly this company.
- You answer in generalities without giving a single example.
- You speak disparagingly about former employers, lecturers or colleagues.
- You have prepared no questions of your own.
- You arrive late or travel without a buffer and turn up rushed.
- You interrupt or talk for minutes without paying attention to the reaction.
A rule of thumb: answers usually take one to two minutes. If they run longer, ask yourself whether the core of the statement has already been said.
How do I handle salary negotiations?
Do not raise salary yourself in the first conversation, unless the position requires it in the application. If the company asks, name a range rather than a single figure. Research the basis beforehand: salary information in comparable adverts, conversations with people in the industry, and collective agreement rates if the company is bound by one.
Good negotiation means giving arguments. Refer to concrete achievements, qualifications, practical experience and special skills that suit the position. Also ask about elements beyond basic pay, for example a training budget, a working-time model or an onboarding plan. If you are unsure, ask for time to think. A sentence such as “I would like to consider this carefully and will get back to you by the end of the week” is entirely normal.
Students often apply for internships, working-student positions or a first job after graduation. How to plan this transition is covered in the article on the start of your working life (in German).
Which questions should I ask myself?
At the end of the conversation you almost always have the chance to ask questions. Prepare two or three that you cannot answer by looking at the website. Suitable examples are:
- What does a typical working day look like in this position?
- How does onboarding work in the first few weeks?
- Which tasks does the team face in the coming months?
- What happens next, and when can I expect feedback?
What applies to selection interviews for scholarships?
Selection panels of scholarship providers ask similar questions to employers, but additionally place weight on commitment and motivation. The STAR method, a clear self-introduction and concrete examples help here too. You can read more in the guide to applying for a scholarship (in German).
What should I do after the interview?
Within one to two days, write a short email: thank them for the conversation, mention one point that stayed with you, and say that you look forward to their reply. One paragraph is enough. Also note straight after the appointment which questions were difficult and what you would do differently next time.
If you receive a rejection, you may politely ask for feedback. Not every company gives it, but asking costs nothing, and every answer helps with your next application.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a job interview last?
That depends on the industry and the position. First interviews for internships and working-student jobs are often shorter, and for entry-level positions there are frequently several rounds. Ask about the process in the invitation and allow time for travel or a technical check.
What should I wear to a job interview?
Orient yourself on how the company presents itself and choose one step more formal. What matters is that the clothing is clean, well kept and comfortable. If you are unsure, you may ask the contact person in advance about the usual dress code.
What should I bring to the interview?
Bring your CV and cover letter in a folder, plus a notepad, a pen and your prepared questions. Certificates and proof only if they were mentioned in the invitation. Digital interviews need a link, a charged device and a working microphone.
May I ask about salary in the interview?
Yes, but with good timing. Wait until the company raises the subject, or until the conversation has clearly covered the content. If you ask yourself, it is best toward the end, phrased as a question about the intended salary range for the position.
What do I do if my mind goes blank?
Take a breath and say openly that you need a moment to think. Pauses feel longer than they are. If that does not help, ask for the question to be repeated, or pick up another point that you can speak to.
What you should do now
- Mark all requirements in the job advert and write an example for each one using the STAR method.
- Write your self-introduction for two minutes and say it out loud.
- Research a realistic salary range and set your lower limit.
- Prepare two or three questions of your own and plan your journey or technical setup with a buffer.
- Practise the interview once with a friend or a fellow student.
Related articles
- Applying as a student: cover letter, working-student job and internship (in German)
- CV for students: how to create one step by step (in German)
- Starting your career after graduation: how to get off to a good start (in German)
- Finding an internship: how to convince companies (in German)
Last updated: October 2026.
