You sent off your CV, waited, and now the invitation has arrived. Exciting, but usually a bit stressful too, especially if it’s your first interview here in the Netherlands and you’re not quite sure what to expect. This is the start of our interview series, a general guide to getting you ready. The later blogs go deeper into the trickier parts. For now, let’s start with the basics for your interview prep, because they make the biggest difference.
Do your homework on the company
It sounds obvious, but it’s a step that people sometimes neglect. Before any interview, take the time to really understand the company you’re meeting. Look at what they do, who their customers are, and anything they’ve shared recently, like news, projects, or posts on their website and LinkedIn. You don’t need their whole history. The point is to show real interest and to be able to connect your own background to what they’re working on.
Know your CV inside out
Your interviewer will almost certainly ask about things on your CV, so you need to be ready to talk about them naturally. Be ready to walk through your experience, explain the choices you’ve made, and give concrete examples of what you’ve actually done. It helps to think in advance about a few key moments: a project you’re proud of, a problem you solved, a time you stepped up.
Prepare for the questions you can see coming
Not every interview is the same, but some questions come up again and again. “Tell me about yourself.” “Why this role?” You can get ready for these without sounding rehearsed. The trick is to know your main points, then let the actual wording come out naturally in the moment. Some questions are harder than others, and we’ll cover those later, including how to handle questions about your weaknesses. For now, getting comfortable with the common ones takes a lot of the pressure off.
Think about the practical details
For an onsite interview, make sure you have the address and know how long it takes to get there. If the interview is online, test your camera, microphone, and link beforehand. Decide what you’re wearing, smart but comfortable unless you’ve been told otherwise. Keep a copy of your CV nearby. Online and in-person interviews each have their own quirks, which we’ll look at separately.
Have a few questions ready yourself
An interview isn’t only about them assessing you. It’s also your chance to work out whether the role and the company are right for you. Coming in with a couple of good questions shows you’re engaged and taking it seriously. We’ve got a whole post coming on what makes a good question to ask, but even now, it’s worth remembering that “do you have any questions for us?” is not a moment to leave empty.
Look after yourself the day before
Your Interview prep isn’t only about facts. How you feel on the day matters too. Try to get a decent night’s sleep and give yourself enough time so you’re not rushing. Feeling calm and rested does more for your performance than cramming one more answer at midnight.
You’ve got this
An interview is really just a conversation, two parties working out if they’re a good fit. Prepare the basics, know your story, and let the rest follow. Get these foundations right and you’ll walk in feeling far more confident.
This was the overview. In the rest of the series we’ll dig into the harder parts: turning weaknesses into strengths, answering the tough questions, the differences between online and in-person interviews, and the questions you should be asking them.
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