1. Interviews, are they that simple?
Some tips and guides from our experience
Many of us have been through a number of interviews in our careers and it is safe
to say that no one interview is the same.
We arrange almost 1,000 interviews a month for individuals like yourself and
have built up a wide range of knowledge and expertise that we hope you will find
useful. That being said, we’d urge you not to rely on our tips and commentary
as every company is different and will approach their recruitment process in a
different way.
At Eurostaff, we will make sure that we truly understand the company you
are interviewing with and give you all of the preparation that you need to be
successful in your potential career move. We hope this guide acts as useful
supplementary interview guidance both now and in the future.

2. Your Next Interview
Be as prepared as you can be
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Contract
Telephone
In Europe, it is common place for contractors to move from country to country with each role they
take up. This means that telephone interviews are the most common amongst contractors.
Landline Phone
Try to use a landline phone, this will guarantee a clear connection thus preventing issues with
signal like you could possibly get whilst using a mobile.
Mobiles
If you absolutely cannot use a landline phone, make sure your phone has enough battery and
signal to last the whole interview!
Quiet setting
Find a quiet room with no distractions that will allow you focus on your answers and enable you to
hear exactly what is the interviewer is asking.
Have your CV in front of you
Contractor CVs can be up to say 15 pages long, it would be some achievement if you could
remember every single detail on it. Even if you think you know your CV inside out, have your CV
to hand to refer to during the interview.
Face to Face
These are very basic tips, but it is amazing that some interviewees do not adhere to the following;
Dress smart
Wear a suit and tie for the interview, if the company has a relaxed dress code then it is better to
dress smart in the interview and then wear what everyone else does when you start your job.
Do not be late
Plan your journey well in advance, prepare for traffic and public transport issues.
Save company details in your phone
Having the address and number on your mobile will help with directions and being able to let them
know if you are running late.

3. Your Next Interview
Be as prepared as you can be
3
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Permanent
Telephone
Most of our candidates work all over Europe, so face to face interviews can sometimes prove
tough to arrange on short notice. Telephone conversations are therefore the first port of call for
employers before a face-to-face interview.
Have your CV in-front of you
The most experienced professionals will have a vast employment history. Having your CV in-front
of you will help you answer questions about your experience.
Quiet location
Make sure you are in an appropriate environment, without distractions. Shut yourself away from
everything to ensure you are purely focused on the interview.
Good equipment
Use reliable equipment, do not use an old unreliable phone. Make sure you in a setting where you
get good mobile reception. If the line is cutting out every few seconds you will not know what is
asked of you.
Face to Face
Make sure you know exactly how you are going to get to the interview and how you are going
to get there. Explore transport options in-case your first choice lets you down. If you are driving,
make sure you know where to park. Be punctual, arrive on time, about 10 minutes before your
interview is perfect. If you are interviewing in a different country, research the business etiquette to
know how to dress and act (i.e. the Dutch are typically relaxed whereas the Germans are typically
professional)
Skype
Treat this as you would a face to face interview as you still need to dress to impress. For
gentleman, ensure you are clean shaven. Much like telephone interviews, situate yourself in a
nice quiet setting with access to a fast internet connection! Lastly make sure you give enough
time to fit a whole interview in your busy schedule. Do not do it in your lunch break because
interviews could last up to an hour and a half long, sometimes longer.

4. Your Next Interview
Be as prepared as you can be
4
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General
You will be expected to face all types of interviews prior to getting a job. You may have to go
through a telephone interview, sometimes a Skype interview and of course the face to face
interview. Before you take the interview, you must prepare for it. Here are a few basic tips of what
you should do before your interview:
Preparation
Ensure you research the company you are interviewing for. Do not go to the interview not knowing
anything about the company, they will not be impressed. Make sure you allow yourself enough
time to research the company. Do not leave it to the last minute. Be thorough with your research
and this will most certainly pay off in the interview.
Potential questions to ask:
• Tell me more about the position and about the type of person you are looking for?
• What is the nature of this vacancy?
• What is the culture of the company?
• What sort of people have done well in the organisation?
• How does my skill set and experience compare to others you have interviewed?
• What is the future for the organisation in the next 1 – 2 years?
• What is the next step in the recruitment process?
Closing the interview
Call your recruitment consultant after the interview. Discuss with them if you are interested in the
position. If you’re not successful, get some feedback so you can improve your technique for next
time. Send a thank you email if you have been contacting the interviewer this way.
If you get a job offer but you are yet to decide, thank the company for the offer and give a time
frame for a response (usually a few days) and then do so.