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Advice from our recruitment experts

"What should I write in my cover letter?" "How can I prepare for the interview?" Scroll down and get the advice you need to succeed in the hunt for your next dream job.

How to prepare for an interview successfully

A good preparation before the interview is one of the key elements for success. Although some of this information may seem obvious, you will feel more prepared and therefore relaxed before going to meet your future employer.

Lars Pettersen, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Danske Bank, Trondheim

6 steps 


  • "In-depth research on the company you are applying for is a critical part of interview preparation. Check out the company website as a start.  You can also look at the company’s social media accounts,  to get a grip on the company’s organisational culture, its employees and values. It could also be valuable to look at similar positions and content of these to increase your insight and understanding of the position you will apply for." 

  • "'Tell me about yourself' and 'why have you decided to apply to his role/organization'-type questions are commonly asked, so make sure you are prepared for them. Before going into each interview take a look at the job advertisement and consider why you are a good candidate for the job and which skills you should still acquire. Honesty, sincerity, being on point and consistency are key elements in having a great dialogue with a potential employer. 

    You should always have a short introduction of yourself prepared. It should consist of who you are, what have you achieved so far and what your future aspirations/goals are (these should be in some way related to the position you are applying for). It will tell the hiring manager or recruiter that you have considered this position and your suitability for it. It should not be a retelling of your life’s story. In addition, it would be wise to prepare for questions about which personal skills you can become better at and/or develop. We all have something we need to develop/improve, and sharing this will create trust and shows ability to self reflect.

    When answering the questions during the interview, please answer as concrete and concise as possible. And where relevant, give examples. If you talk about a previous employer and why you left the job there, it is wise to do this in a positive and professional way. "

  • "If you want to feel more prepared, you can bring a list of questions for the hiring manager or recruiter. The questions should be related to the listed responsibilities, goals and deliverables, not just work time, team and remote work.

    Even though the hiring manager/recruiter is looking for the best fit for them, do remember that is as important that you as a candidate feel a match too. It would therefore be wise to use the opportunity to ask questions that will help you understand what the job is all about and that can give you insights to conclude if you will enjoy being part of the team. In addition, please do bring along your CV, transcripts and other documents that can be relevant. This gives a professional impression."
  • "When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly to business attire, but keep your style, to reflect your personality. In addition, familiarising with the company will help you choose how you should present yourself. If the company were more casual, it would not look good if you come to the interview in a suit and vice versa. A rule of thumb is to dress discrete, so that your clothes does not take all the focus."
  • "If there is one golden rule about interviews, it is that you must arrive on time. Be sure to know the address of a meeting place and the route how you will get there. If you are planning to drive, find out where you can park your car. Having 15 extra minutes to your travelling plan, you can spend in absorbing the organisation and people while waiting for the interview in the lobby. Most importantly do not arrive too early or late, it will suggest that you might not have good time management skills. And do ask for the right person when arriving at the reception."

  • "Proper interview etiquette could give you more chances in joining the organisation you are applying for. Even the smallest details are visible, so think about your body language - shake hands firmly before and after the interview and make eye contact. Especially if there are more than one interviewer, make eye contacts with all of them, not just one person.

    Last, but not least: Being positive and displaying your motivation and fit for the position is the most important thing."

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Find a nice CV template

“I would definitely encourage everyone to get inspiration from some of the many templates available online, such as these. It’s a great way to make sure that your CV looks nice and to avoid classic mistakes, such as listing your experience the wrong way chronologically. Start with what you did most recently and work your way back.”

Your CV is about the past – your cover letter is about the future

“Your cover letter shouldn’t be a list of accomplishments – that’s for the CV. Instead, focus on your motivation for applying and try to see the world from the point of view of your future employer: How can you help them succeed by lifting the tasks outlined in the job ad.

Avoid spelling errors

”It shouldn’t be necessary to mention but we keep on seeing loads of mistakes in both CV’s and cover letters, so please remember to double check and proofread. If you’re not great at grammar, then ask a friend to help you proofread”.