Do you have weaknesses? Tips for the job interview

At some point in the application process, everyone has to deal with the issue of strengths and weaknesses. Our strengths? We usually find it easy to list some of them. It's different with our weaknesses. Not our weaknesses in general, but those that an employer is allowed to know about. Which ones do you name and how do you deal with them? Let's take a look at how different people try to overcome this hurdle.

Let's start with Mr Stark. During the interview, the HR manager wants to know: "And Mr Stark? We've heard so many good things about you. What are your weaknesses?" Our applicant leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. "Let me think about it!" A few effective seconds pass. Until Mr Stark comes to a conclusion. "Weaknesses? I can't think of any. At most that as a perfectionist, I demand too much of myself and my colleagues!" A broad grin underpins his statement.

Fräulein Blümchen has a completely different approach. "Weaknesses? Oh, I have a few. It's difficult for me to get out of bed in the morning, I'm sometimes a little forgetful and I need a little help motivating myself from time to time...."

Admittedly, our fictional examples are a little exaggerated and any resemblance to living people is purely coincidental. Nevertheless, it is easy to see that both people have done each other no favours.

"I have no weaknesses!" - that doesn't make us more likeable, Mr or Mrs Perfect usually only exists in our own perception. And even if he/she does exist - would you like to work with them? Our Fräulein Blümchen exaggerates in the other direction. She mercilessly says things that may be true, but are unacceptable for a recruiter. Who wants an employee who is constantly late, plans her tasks and then needs motivation and help from her colleagues or boss?

What are your weaknesses?

Think about it yourself and ask other people you know well. Then make a note of these characteristics and see what you can do with them. Our tips:

If asked, you should never mention a weakness that could jeopardise the success of your job. Our Miss Blümchen, for example, is an accountant. For this position, no company in the world needs an employee who has a schedule and cannot structure her day.
Admitting weaknesses such as "I like to eat too much" or "I can't deny my children a wish" may be honest, but it's of no interest when selecting applicants.
Turn your weaknesses into something positive. You can work on everything if you want to. This is exactly what an employer wants to see and hear and what you should do for yourself. Companies don't want perfect employees (because they don't exist J, but people who are true to themselves and know what they could improve and where.
What can this look like? A company wants employees with very good English skills and these are the highest acceptable level in your company? You can work on this and attend intensive language courses, for example. You should communicate this during the interview. You are aware of your weakness, but you have a solution for it.

Sometimes the question about the applicant's weaknesses can also be framed differently. For example: "What strengths that you don't have do you like about your superiors?" or "What would colleagues say about you? What qualities do you like and dislike about yourself?"

Under no circumstances should you allow yourself one weakness for your job interview: not being adequately prepared for it!

Weaknesses in the job interview

You've made it to the interview on time, you think you've overcome the first hurdles and then it comes - the dreaded question of all job applicants: "What are your weaknesses?" In your application for this job, you have described your professional background in your CV and expressed your motivation in your cover letter. You have presented your strengths, but how do you formulate the answer to the question about your weaknesses?

Are you now reaching for your glass of water, taking a very long sip and desperately wondering what to answer? Then you have not prepared yourself sufficiently for the job interview. This question is notorious and you should have prepared the possible answers in advance. However, this does not mean that you should memorise any answers. Take a look at the topic and think about it.

What are your biggest weaknesses?

This is a classic question, but one that is asked again and again. What is the answer? It is often advised that you should choose weaknesses that you can turn into the opposite, i.e. that can even be seen as strengths. So think about which weaknesses you currently have and which weaknesses you have already overcome and write them down. What you have in black and white gives you a more objective perspective than if you only deal with a problem mentally.

Did you know that many people mention strengths in their application documents that they don't have and do the same with weaknesses in the interview? Neither makes sense. Missing strengths can be recognised in everyday working life at the latest and why should you make up weaknesses that you don't even have?

Let's come back to your weaknesses and what you should answer when asked about them. For example, you can name a weakness and then add how you deal with it successfully.

Weakness: " Sometimes I'm afraid of losing track of many tasks"
Solution: "Then I create a prioritised checklist that I work through conscientiously."

In this way, you admit a weakness and immediately provide a strategy for dealing with it. Not only that - you also show that you are reflective and working on yourself.

Other formulations

The direct question about weaknesses and strengths can be formulated differently by the recruiter. Here are some examples:

"What qualities do your colleagues value in you?" - "What qualities do your colleagues dislike about you?"
or
"What tips would you give colleagues who can't manage their workload?" and then: "What do you do if you can't manage your work?

"Are there things about your colleagues that annoy you? What are they?
"What do you appreciate most about your boss? And what don't you like?"

Your answers will reveal what makes you tick and what your characteristics are. In this way, you reveal your strengths and weaknesses without perhaps even realising it yourself.

In addition to many other formulations, there is also the option of asking the applicant for a self-assessment. "On a scale of 1 - 10, what grade would you give yourself for your interactions with colleagues?" This can be used to explain why you rate yourself so good or so bad or even just as mediocre.

By the way: know-it-alls, all-rounders and people without empathy have a bad chance in most jobs, because soft skills are very important. And remember: everyone has weaknesses, including the boss and the recruiter. This might help you take a more relaxed approach to the interview.

Collect plus points in the job interview

Why do you go to a job interview? To get a job offer! Many of you reading this may be shaking your heads and wondering why we are asking such strange questions. There is a good reason for this. Quite simply, the job interview is often just a self-presentation in which the other person (i.e. the recruiter) feels unappreciated. Sure, as an applicant you should and must advertise yourself. But you must not disregard everything else - and certainly not the person or people sitting opposite you. What do we mean by that?

Call names and smile

Appreciate your interviewer and show how important they are to you. The very first thing to do at the interview is to introduce yourself and greet each other. Make sure you memorise their name. And don't just memorise it, but also use it during the interview. Because everyone feels (unconsciously) affirmed when you mention their name. Of course, don't overdo it. Just occasionally slip in a sentence or a question and use the name. Pay attention to certain signs during the conversation, such as body language, facial expressions and eye contact.

Smile! We always advise you to observe your own perception of other people. Who do you like? What do you like about another person within the first few seconds and what do you dislike? Imagine you meet someone who doesn't look at you, doesn't make a face and shakes your hand half-heartedly without saying their name. Would you like them straight away? Certainly not.

So smile when you greet someone, look at them and state your name clearly. These first perceptions can be decisive, because our subconscious doesn't even signal whether we like someone within half a minute. Some theories even assume that it only takes 3 - 7 seconds to form a first impression, which rarely changes. This applies both privately and at work.

Theory and practice

What can you do right or wrong in 7 seconds? We say: everything. For a better understanding of time: read a simple text and time it. An average reader manages around 200 words in one minute. You think faster than you read and somewhere in between is your speaking speed. How much can you say in 7 seconds? You might think: "Nothing!", but it's still about 23 words.

"Hello, Mr Mustermann. My name is Maria Musterfrau. I'm delighted to be here today."

You could start a job interview smiling with just 17 words. A lot can be said and achieved with just a few words. Do you see problems for yourself? Our next tip: Practise. Practise - alone in front of the mirror, in front of and with your smartphone, with acquaintances and friends. Practice makes perfect, as we all know, and the more you internalise the imagination process, the easier it will be for you to put it into practice. By the way: Why don't you simply address friends, acquaintances, salespeople and anyone else whose name you know by their name from time to time? You will most likely notice success.

What else is important to make your application for a job positive in the interview? Use the interview to ask questions and give meaningful answers. Prepare well, find out about the employer and think about the goal of your career with the company. Signs of a positive interview are, for example, if you are introduced to other employees, given a tour of the company or if the interview lasts significantly longer than expected.

Please also read: Tips for the job search and take a look at our Sample speculative applications to.

Are you looking for a new job? We have already placed over 2,200 applicants in new jobs. Feel free to contact us to start your unsolicited application as soon as possible.

Why you don't get a job

How will a personnel manager assess an application in which the applicant states that a car is "possible but not likely" and lists "calculator and computer" and "electrical engineering or product design" as skills? There will probably not be an interview.

You should know that this application dates back to 1973 and was written by Steve Jobs (the co-founder of Apple, who died aged just 56) after college. Today, this application is so interesting that it is being auctioned off.

Steve Jobs had a few rules by which he acted. These included being "brutally honest", he was a man of quick decisions. He loved to assert himself and sought perfection. We can learn all this and more from his biography.

We don't know whether there were any job offers after his application, but we can tell you what mistakes you should definitely avoid when applying for a job at an interview.

A survey by Simply Hired has revealed that the biggest mistake you can make is before the job interview has even taken place. We're talking about being late. There is hardly any reason that can excuse this. Not the weather, not a train cancellation, not a traffic jam. The key is to allow enough time and arrive early rather than late. You can spend the time waiting for your appointment going for a walk or doing some research on the company you are applying to. A lack of knowledge about the company in question is also an acceptance killer, as is moaning and talking badly about your former boss or company. You don't have to know the answer to every question, but it's good if you can see that you have done some research into the company you want to work for.

Incidentally, around 86 of those surveyed for the study stated that spelling and grammatical errors in the application are negative criteria.

Our tips for preparing for a speculative application or job interview.

Create your application documents as error-free as possible.
Practise job interviews in the run-up to the appointment - in front of the mirror, with an audience or with the help of a camera.
It is better to plan more time for the interview than too little. Find out all you can about the company you are applying to before the job interview.
Prepare yourself for many questions in the interview. This is the only way you can present the right answers to the recruiter.
Ask one or two questions during the interview, because you want to find the right job for you!

Nobody expects you to be perfect, but authentic, interested and interesting!

No second chance to make a first impression?

We all know the saying that there is no second chance to make a first impression. Is that really the case? And how can you make the best first impression? Can you always make a great first impression on everyone? There is a single answer to these three questions: "No!"

It's true that first impressions play a part in deciding whether we like a person or not. In just 20 seconds, each of us more or less unconsciously makes a judgement about the other person. If we subsequently find signs that this judgement is correct, our opinion is solidified.

What is your opinion of the unsolicited application? Are you positive or negative? The best way to make your judgement is to review this application start with us!

How do we judge other people?

We have many ways of perceiving other people and situations through our senses. What we see, hear and smell plays a major role in this perception. However, there are also other things that play a role in our judgement.

We may meet a new person who is similar to someone we know and with whom we have had bad experiences. We will tend to compare the two and this comparison will usually not be favourable. It may also be that we recognise ourselves in another person, at least in part, and therefore make an assessment that may not do the other person justice.

Such and similar so-called "perception filters" influence the judgement of other people.

The assessment in the job interview

In addition to your professional and social skills, decisions are also made by both sides in the job interview based on these perception filters. This is a criterion that you yourself cannot influence in the other person and so you may not get a job or not want the job because one of these filters has signalled a "no".

Finally, some good news: you can recognise, rethink and readjust your own filters!

Do you know which filters you are using? Would you perceive the forest in our photo as it is depicted? Do you know your effect on others? The impression we make on others also depends a lot on our non-verbal communication.

The telephone interview - often underestimated

You have sent off your unsolicited application and are now expecting a response every day, at best a written appointment for an interview. Just as you're having lunch, your phone rings - a number you don't recognise. You answer the phone with your mouth full and mumble: "Who's interrupting?"

You are shocked when the company you applied to, XY, gets in touch. The lady on the other end smiles audibly. Still. "Enjoy your meal, do you have a little time for me?" You answer in the affirmative, not wanting to collect any more demerit points. You quickly realise that this was your mistake.

With the Iapply with our team you will not receive any unprepared calls, because we take a lot off your hands and YOU determine the dates!

The unprepared telephone interview

The first questions are why you have applied to this particular company and what you know about this company. In our example, this goes completely wrong because there has been no preparation at all.
If you receive such unprepared calls, it is advisable to politely say that you don't have time at the moment and ask for an appointment for the telephone interview. Exception: You are already optimally prepared and have just enough time and peace and quiet.

Questions in the telephone interview

The questions and requirements are similar to those in a face-to-face job interview. However, the telephone interview usually serves as preliminary information for the employer. Perhaps relevant information is still missing, perhaps there are ambiguities in the CV, perhaps a large number of applicants are selected as a result.
You therefore need sufficient company information and have answers to standard questions (weaknesses and strengths, professional knowledge and goals, CV explanations).

Preparation for the telephone interview

The date for the interview has been set, now please prepare accordingly:

Create an undisturbed atmosphere without background noise.
Prepare your application documents, pen and paper and have a glass of water ready.
An overview of the company information cannot be wrong.
Your own questions should also be in writing next to you.

Behaviour during the telephone interview

It can be an advantage or disadvantage that you cannot work with your body language, gestures and eye contact. You are therefore reliant on your voice and language in a telephone interview. Here are a few tips on this too:

Address the caller by name. This shows interest and attention.
Do not interrupt the person you are talking to - this often happens more quickly on the phone than in person.
Smile a lot! It's really true - you can "hear" a smile!
Write down important information. It therefore makes sense to use a headset and landline for the job interview.

Last but not least: You can also practise a telephone interview! Whether it's a face-to-face interview or a telephone interview - many of our customers have had good experiences with both. A sense of achievement.

No answer after the job interview - when can I follow up?

The interview seems to have gone well, and now the applicant is sitting on pins and needles, eagerly awaiting news from the company to which they have applied.

Did the personnel manager say at the end of the interview when he would be in touch? Was it simply "You'll hear from us!"? Or had he perhaps even given a deadline by which the company would get back to you? What can you do now? Should you wait weeks for a reply?

Have you been waiting in vain for an appointment for a job interview after applying for a job? That doesn't have to be the case! With the the correct form of application you may even have to cancel an appointment.

Deadlines after the interview

You should receive a message from the company within a reasonable period of time. "Reasonable" - in the case of a large company, this can be weeks, sometimes even months.

Thank you letter

An elegant solution to draw attention to yourself once again is a thank you letter. Almost half of recruiters appreciate this. What should it say? Firstly, of course, you should thank them for the pleasant and informative interview. Perhaps you reflect on one or two points or ask an open question. Finally, express your hope for a reply soon. The letter should not be too long and should be sent quite quickly after the job interview.

Telephone enquiry

Of course, you can contact us again by telephone shortly after the job interview and convey the same content as you would in a letter.

The answer is also a long time coming

However, do not make the mistake of asking several times at short intervals, as this will no longer be interpreted as interest, but rather as annoying. If you have not been given any deadlines, you can enquire about the status of things after two to three weeks and express your own interest.

During the waiting period

We recommend that you do not interrupt your own application process after a job interview. For example, if it takes several weeks before you receive a rejection letter, you will have lost valuable time and opportunities. You can also gain experience and hone your own performance in a job interview. So keep applying for your dream job!

After a cancellation

Sure, it's not nice to receive a rejection. But there may be several reasons for this. If you are still interested in the position/company, you can send a little feedback, thank them for their time and attention and express your continued interest.
After a rejection you must do one thing: Apply again immediately! We have many Templates for your unsolicited application.

Pass recruitment tests successfully

A little small talk, a cup of coffee and you've got the job! For some applicants, this is wishful thinking, but it's unlikely to materialise.

In addition to the interview, recruitment tests are often an important part of the decision-making process when it comes to hiring.
Recruitment tests are carried out within the company, but also often through assessment centres, either in person or online.

To ensure that you are invited to an interview, you should register for the Co-operation with us decide!

Recruitment tests online

The same applies here as for the telephone job interview. Your surroundings should be quiet. The telephone should not ring and the dog should not bark. Anything that could distract you should be banished for this short time.

The tasks in the online test can be varied. From testing your German and maths skills to complex logic tasks.
There may be questions about the company, psychological tests and specialised tasks.

Anyone who thinks that you can find all the important answers online during an online test will be right. But - cheating like this doesn't do you any favours. A passed online test is usually followed shortly afterwards by a face-to-face test, which means you'll be exposed very quickly and can put the job on hold.

Personal recruitment tests

The content of the face-to-face tests is similar, but often more complex than the online test. Depending on the job profile, different areas can be tested, often with a company-specific structure. Tests can be taken individually or in groups.
The aim is to ensure that an applicant fits into the company and the team both professionally and personally.

Tips for successfully passing recruitment tests

Try to relax a little when you are particularly excited. A test like this can show you where you stand and what you need to work on. Even if it doesn't work this time - there will definitely be another attempt!
Practise such tests as often as you can - even if you don't have an interview coming up. Questions on general knowledge and logic tests will almost always be included. Nobody can take away the knowledge you gain from these tests and, as we all know, knowledge is power.
Don't rush, but don't delay indefinitely in answering the questions either. The time available to you will be sufficient to answer the questions appropriately.

We wish you every success in your next recruitment test! An unsolicited application increases your chances of being invited to such a test. There is a reason for that!

How was your last recruitment test? Please tell us about it!

Unexpected questions in the job interview

You have prepared well for the interview, have naturally gathered a lot of information about the company and are also prepared to present yourself.

They were there on time, perfectly dressed for the occasion and only slightly nervous. Why should you be? After all, recruiters are just people like you and me who mean you no harm.

There are personnel managers who YOU want to get to know them. Give them the chance to do so - through a Unsolicited application with IPSER.

Unexpected questions

When the recruiter asks you to come into the office, you're still feeling pretty comfortable and the start of the job interview goes well until this question comes up: "If I hire you today, do you think you'll still be working for our company in five years?"

You were not prepared for this. What a question! These and similar questions are designed to draw you out of your shell and test how you deal with unfamiliar situations. There are various options for the reaction or answer:

You sink into a state of shock and say nothing more until the head of human resources relieves you.
They get stroppy and say "Am I psychic? What a stupid question!"
They try to buy a little time and say "I didn't understand you correctly, could you please explain that to me?"
You respond politely and appropriately and could say, for example, that you would be happy to get this job, that you will do it well and that you would naturally like to develop further in this company.

With such questions, the answer options are open and it is logical that answers 1 and 2 from our example are mutually exclusive. Unless you don't want the job.

Preparation is everything

So please be prepared for such questions and situations.And please bear this in mind: Nobody wants to make you look stupid, but these questions are tests of how you react to unforeseen events. They want to find out what makes you tick and how interested you really are in the job offer. There is (almost) nothing you should take personally.

Of course, there are also questions that are inadmissible and inappropriate, such as questions about pregnancy and illnesses or about your relationship. However, you should also keep your composure and politely decline to answer.

Oh yes, a nice question too: "How many sweets fit in a wine barrel?" Do you know the answer? We are curious! Another question would be: "When do you want to Send an unsolicited application?"

Dress code for a job interview

The date for the job interview is fast approaching and it's not just women who are thinking "What should I wear?" Sure - inner values and professional knowledge count. But - there is no second chance to make a first impression.

Put yourself in the shoes of a personnel manager. Could you ignore the unkempt or unsuitable appearance of an applicant and concentrate solely on the application documents? And - would you find it suitable if the applicant for a management position stood in front of you in a baggy look?

Tips for the right outfit

In principle, there are only two rules for dressing appropriately for a job interview.

Stay authentic and don't disguise yourself
Choose clothing appropriate to your job description

Pay attention to the overall picture

It's not just the outerwear that's important, but also what's around it. You should pay just as much attention to your shoes as you do to your socks. We are thinking here of the famous faux pas of white tennis socks with a dark suit. Did you know that there is a famous TV presenter who makes sure that no member of the audience wears such socks in his live shows?

The bag and everything else should also be clean and tidy so that the overall look is right.

Choose your clothes so that everything fits together and creates a harmonious image of you that also suits the job. For a job application in a bank, this will be a suit or a suit with appropriate accessories, whereas for a job interview in an advertising agency you will appear much more relaxed and casual.

Styling and more

Please use jewellery and other accessories sparingly and limit yourself to a few colours.
The same applies to make-up and hairstyle. Discreet and well-groomed are the magic words for most job interviews.
Neither the plunging neckline nor the casual top or the colourful comic tie will attract positive attention at the interview.

The icing on the cake

Your counterpart perceives you with several senses and decides from these components whether they find you likeable or not. This also includes smell. So before a job interview, refrain from smoking garlic and cigarettes and use perfume products that are not overpowering but provide a pleasant scent.

One last tip

Pack some emergency equipment in your bag. Completely banal: This includes tissues, a plaster, comb and nail file and perhaps also a headache tablet and something to drink. Relax as well as you can.

Preparation for the job interview

You have reached the first milestone towards your new job and have an appointment for an interview. Congratulations on this!

Now it's time to take the next step and prepare properly and efficiently for this appointment. The first thing you should do is find out all you can about the company you want to work for. In the job interview, you will certainly have to answer questions about the company's goals, its ideology and more.

Every job interview can lead to success. If it wasn't, see it as practice for the next interview. With our support you get to the next interview after a rejection.

Job interview questions

The job interview, i.e. the job interviewoften harbours pitfalls. The sense of Trick questions & Co. is to get to know you better and to find out whether you have presented yourself authentically and truthfully in your application documents.

We would like to work with you and place you in your new job. Get in touch with us!

The Possibilities for such questions there are many. It's impossible to list everything that could happen and you can never prepare for everything.

Examples of job interview questions

Perhaps you have stated in your knowledge and skills that you have a perfect command of written and spoken English. You may have exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent. Now imagine that the personnel manager wants to conduct the job interview with you in English ..... It would quickly become apparent that you have not been entirely truthful and the credibility of your entire application would be called into question.

With pleasure people are asked how they imagine the perfect boss, the perfect colleagues or the perfect job. Many conclusions can be drawn from the answers given. It could be how realistic you are or how much empathy you have and how you deal with others.

Popular and notorious are also questions such as "How many Smarties fit in a VW bus?" or "How many lanterns are there in Berlin?" Of course, no applicant will have the answer with the right amount ready. But: The purpose of these so-called "Brainteaser" is not the answer with the correct number. Such questions are used to find out how the applicant in question reacts. Is he stressed or is he making fun of the whole thing? Or are they trying to find a solution? How creatively do they approach the matter? Can they deal with stress?

"Evaluate yourself!" - This prompt makes most applicants feel insecure; you are usually asked to rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10. If you set the bar too high, it can come across as arrogant; a 1 or 2 signals a lack of self-confidence. Stay authentic and realistic. A classification in the upper third makes sense, so you have room for manoeuvre on both sides, but are above average.

"What would your mother/partner describe as your greatest weakness/strength??" A balancing act between self-criticism, insight and honesty is required here. The most fatal answer is probably that you have no weaknesses and that it would take too long to list all your strengths.

Try you to remain calm in the job interview. After all, you can prove and substantiate the facts from your application documents! Remain yourself, this is the only way to find out whether you fit into the company and vice versa.

Do you want to fine-tune your documents? We have Ideas and suggestions for you!

Explain gaps in your CV

The curriculum vitae is known to be the centrepiece of the application. It provides information about our education, professional background and existing qualifications.
Through the chronological structure This document makes it possible to recognise immediately whether the activities are lined up seamlessly. Here is an example.

"Gapless" - does that even exist? Congratulations if you are one of the applicants to whom this applies. This is often not the case.
A little time may have passed between the end of an old job and the start of a new one. After successfully completing their training, the parents sponsored a three-month stay abroad for their offspring and after the birth of the children, their employment was interrupted due to parental leave.
Are these all now Gapsthat make a personnel manager frown?

What are gaps in a CV?

Not all gaps are the same. There are short timesover which it is seen. In most companies, this will be a period of one to two months.
Although parental leave is an interruption in employment, it does not constitute a Gap in the CV. This time is explainable and verifiable, it is listed on the CV like any other job.

A longer Stay abroad should be included in the CV, the only question is how best to do this.
Work&Travel gives you an insight into a range of activities, perhaps even into activities related to the profession you have learnt. You can gain social experience, improve your cultural or language skills and much more. As often mentioned: Don't hide anything and don't resort to (white) lies.
Incidentally, if you take such a break in later years of your career, this is now often recognised in application documents as a Sabbatical to be found. These are times that are even supported and encouraged by some employers.

In your CV, you are not expected to list your activities on a day-by-day basis. Month is sufficient. The idea of "concealing" gaps in your CV by using dates is not something you should try.

How do you explain gaps in your CV?

Every personnel manager can read between the lines of a CV and knows many Cheating. So why should you allow yourself to be categorised as untrustworthy from the very first contact with a company, i.e. when applying for a job? It is always advisable to stick to the truth and maintain your own authenticity.

Of course, much is a Question of formulation.
Example: You were made redundant for operational reasons and did not find a new job straight away. If your CV says "unemployed", this is seen as passive and can be destructive. "Job seeker" or "career search phase" is basically the same thing, but has a different message. These terms are used to convey activity and initiative. You might be thinking "But every HR manager knows that - why should I use these terms?"
The explanation is simple. Certain words trigger certain emotions and associations in each of us - whether we like it or not.

The curriculum vitae is not just a list of professional experiences and competences, but a document in which you should invest a lot of work and energy!

If you send us an unsolicited application, your Application documents optimised and your chances of success increase rapidly!

Are you allowed to lie in your application?

According to scientific findings, everyone lies around 200 times a day.
This mainly refers to "everyday shenanigans". The question "How are you?" is usually answered with "Good", regardless of whether this is true or not. Some things are simply expressed nicely instead of being ruthlessly honest. This is how you say thank you for a terrible gift and feign joy.

"Do you like your work?" What do you answer? If you want to answer "yes" honestly, you should probably look for a new job. We support you very successfully.

Lying means, among other things, knowingly telling an untruth, often to gain an advantage. There are also white lies, lies out of fear, lies to avoid punishment and much more.

Accuracy of the application documents

What about cheating, untruths or outright lies in the application documents?
Can you "prettify" your data? Does it make sense to turn a two-month holiday into a language trip to cover up the gap in your CV?

The fact is that lying on a CV or in an application in general can be grounds for dismissal. Even if there is already an employment contract and the applicant has already been working for the company in question for some time. Even if the lies are not related to the job, a breach of trust could be inferred. By signing the application documents, you confirm the truthfulness of the information.

Anyone who manipulates their references and certificates not only risks losing their job, but also runs the risk of being prosecuted under criminal law. (falsification of documents, fraud, imposture)

Of course you want to score points with your application and avoid any criticism.
The CV, which is not quite ideal, often causes stomach ache.
Smaller gaps in your CV are accepted by most HR managers without comment; longer job breaks will be asked about in the job interview. These breaks should be given content as soon as they occur; internships and training courses are ideal for this. That way you won't be tempted to cheat.

Although "cheating" or "cheating" sounds nicer than "lying", the end result is usually the same. Concealment, fabrication or invention - whatever you want to call it. It doesn't make sense. If paper is still patient, the interview is often used to find out the truth. Because small and big lies are often exposed by our body language.

Some applicants get the idea, Conceal gaps in your CVby omitting the months. These and other cheats are well known to personnel managers and give rise to suspicion.
Fictitious qualifications - such as upgrading language skills - are quickly discovered in everyday working life.

However, there are exceptions where lies will have no effect.
This applies, for example, to inadmissible questions in the job interview. For female applicants, this would include questions about an existing pregnancy.

Especially often In addition to the information on the CV, the description of activities in current or previous jobs is often lied about in applications.
Enquiries with previous employers will reveal such fibs and the result will be that this applicant is guaranteed not to get the job! Stay authentic - even in Your job application.

Tips for the job interview

The first stage of your application has been reached: the Appointment for the job interview is agreed. Now, of course, you want to prepare as well as possible for the interview.

You are looking for work and are in possession of a Placement voucher? We will find the right job for you!

Here are a few tips:

The beginning of everything is the Personal preparation - both externally and mentally. Choose your clothes, hairstyle and make-up to suit your job. It is also immensely important that you feel comfortable in this outfit!
Try to go to the appointment as relaxed as possible and don't arrive at the company at the very last minute in a rush.

Politeness is important, including eye contact, a friendly smile and a pleasant handshake. Thankfully accept any non-alcoholic drinks offered.
Be Open and authentic. This does not mean that you should describe your life story in detail. Limit yourself to the most important things that could be useful for your application and the job. Don't exaggerate, and don't be too modest either.

Job interview preparation

The fact is that in every job interview Standard questions come up. These include "Why did you apply to us?" - "Where do you see yourself in three years?" - "What are your strengths (or weaknesses)?
You can prepare for this, but hardly any personnel manager wants to hear standard answers at this point. "Why did you apply to us?" Here, for example, you can prove how well you have researched this topic and the company. Why did you apply? Perhaps because you can identify with the company's guiding principles? Or because you find the products particularly appealing?

Of course, you need to find out as much as possible about the company before the interview. With a Unsolicited application Without researching the company in advance, you should make sure that you have enough time before the appointment. Use all available sources. (Internet, company brochures, prospectuses, etc.) This will enable you to find out about the company's objectives, philosophy, successes and much more.

Interview process

The course of the Job interviews usually follows a certain pattern.
After a little Small talk there is information about the company you have applied to.
You will then have the opportunity to to introduce and
Then it's on to the actual Catalogue of questions about.
At the end, the applicant has the opportunity to ask questions. Take advantage of this opportunity and prepare well! One hypothesis is that those who do not Ask questionshave no real interest. Neither in the company nor in the job.
You may now be asked about your Salary expectations come. This is usually difficult. You can choose the current salary as a basis and as you usually want to improve, the desired salary will be higher. Think in advance about how much room for negotiation you are prepared to accept.

After the interview

The personnel manager will Finish interviewn and you can use this last chance to express your interest in the position once again.
In most cases, you will be informed at this point when you can expect a Reply to your application is to be expected. If this does not happen, do not hesitate to ask. Everyone will understand.
Finally, thank them for their time and attention and say goodbye politely and confidently.

If you have not heard from the company after two weeks (unless otherwise agreed) you can follow up and enquire about the status of things. Another way to be remembered positively would be to send a letter of thanks to the company.

Another tip:

Avoid it, speak badly about your previous jobs. Do not gossip about former colleagues, do not make negative comments about superiors and avoid gossip.