How to prepare for the interview

Why is preparation crucial?

Preparing for an interview is very much about understanding yourself, the role and the employer. Doing so will show that you are serious, self-motivated and curious to learn more – qualities that employers appreciate.

How to prepare step by step

1. Do your research

Read up on the company and its operations. Also have some control over what you are expected to deliver on. This may not apply during an internship, but for future professional roles. Also think about how your own knowledge and experience match.

2. What do you offer?

Think about what achievements you are proud of and what qualities you have that could be good in the role. 

3. Prepare answers to common interview questions

Preparing answers to common interview questions will help you avoid being asked during ongoing conversations. 

• "Tell us about yourself"

• "Why do you want to work with us?"

• "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

• "Describe a challenge you encountered – how did you handle it?"

Train with a friend, or why not an AI.

4. Plan your introduction and conclusion

• Start with a short and clear answer to why you are applying for the position and why you are right for it.

• Feel free to end by asking something yourself – it shows that you are committed and interested. Questions such as "What does a day as a technology jumper look like here?" or "What educational opportunities are there?" are good.

Especially for those who are looking for an internship at Tekniksprånget

As an intern through Tekniksprånget, the interview is not about showing what you already know – but about showing who you are and how curious you are to learn. Employers know that you are at the beginning of your journey, and they are looking for young talents in particular who want to discover what it's like to work as an engineer.

Here are some tips to show just that:

• Show curiosity. Tell us what makes you want to try the engineering profession. You may enjoy solving problems, understanding how things work, or making multiple projects work together.

• Ask questions. It shows commitment. For example, ask what a normal working day looks like, what projects the team works on or what you as an intern can expect to work on.

• Show that you want to develop. You don't have to have all the answers, the important thing is that you want to test, take responsibility and grow.

• Be yourself. Employers value genuine interest more than rehearsed answers. Tell us why you applied to Tekniksprånget and what you hope to get out of the internship.

By showing that you are curious, interested and open to learning, you make a strong impression. 

Summary

Just being called for an interview is in itself a merit. It shows that you stand out among all those who have applied. 

It is also a chance for the employer to ask some deeper questions and get to know you further, they may have questions about something you mentioned in your application or one of your previous experiences. Therefore, it may be a good idea to look through your application one more time.

Also read a little about the place and the company you applied to. It shows that you are serious and committed. Prepare some questions you may want to ask the employer.

It can be a nervous situation to be interviewed for a job, or in this case an internship. Often you are yourself, while there may be several from the employer present. Then it is important to remember to be yourself. You've overcome the first hurdle – the selection process – now they're curious about who you are.

Good luck!