Prepare To Ace Job Interview In Norway

by Dejan Mladenovic | Last Updated: April 30, 2021

Being invited for a job interview is a great success in the job application process so congratulations. That means all your previous work regarding Job Vacancy Analysis, preparing Elevator Pitch, or phone calls to the contact person were very beneficial. However, you cannot stop here on contrary this is the most critical stage, and you should be prepared to shine at your best lights during the job interview.

Personally, I had many job interviews in different shapes and forms such as test, group, phone, in person so-called classic job interviews. Sometimes successful and sometimes not. However, every time I have learned something new about the process. I would like to describe different job interview forms and how the process looks itself but to add my personal experiences that might help you so you can either learn something or avoid the mistakes I have made.

Different Forms of Job Interviews

Let us go through very quickly the different forms of Job Interviews before we write about Job Interviews per se.

Job Interview Forms

Traditional
Case
Group
Phone
Video
Test

Traditional Job Interview

Traditional can be described as:

Conversation between you and one or more representatives from employer or recruitment agency
It is possible to meet from non-experienced interviews to completely professional ones.

Case Job Interview

You can get some cases or tasks that you need to accomplish.

The interviewer wants to see your thinking process and goal-orientation as much as your answer to the challenge.
Ask a question if you need to clarify something
Rare questions have the same effect as case challenges.

Group Job Interview

A group interview is a good opportunity for an employer which role takes each person in the group, how the people cooperate with each other, etc.

This type of Job Interview gives you an opportunity to show how you handle cooperation situation
Be aware of the role you want to take.
Do you want to show that you are a going person but remember you need to show that you can listen and humble?

Phone Job Interview

It is used very often especially when the candidate is from abroad or another place.

as a first survey of the candidates that live far away from the interview place or it is challenging to make the physical interview.
in the case of positions where good presentation over the phone is very important, such as customer support, phone sales, etc.

Video Job Interview

It is used again for the candidates who live far away and gives an opportunity for the interviewer to see your body language, dressing code, etc.

Be familiar with the software used in a video call
make sure that:
- there is good light in the room so your face is visible
- the camera is at eye level so it gives a good eye contact
make the neutral background and remove things at the background that can be distracting
Test the video call with your friend and check:
- distance between you and the screen
- audio level
- background
- lighting

Test Job Interview

Associated with the actual Job Interview you can get one or more tests that will show your personality, characteristics, or language skills.

this is used for mapping you
can expect a conversation with an interviewer about the test in the actual Job Interview
This will help you as well to get to know yourself better.

Typical Construction of Job Interview

Job Interview consists of several parts and they are:

Job Interview Construction

Introduction
Candidate Interview
1. Optionally, test analysis
Conclusion

Introduction Part

The introduction phase is at the beginning of the Job interview and makes the first impression of you as a candidate. Usually, consists of the following stages:

Small chat on the way to the Job Interview room.
Usually, stop by on the way to take some refreshments or just a glass of water.
Welcome and informal talk.
Presentation of interviewers in Job interview panel.
Company Presentation
Information about Job Vacancy

Candidate Interview Part

Usually starts with “Can you tell us a little bit about yourself” and follows with the questions to get to know you. This is the time for you to shine and present yourself answering the following questions in your self-presentation:

What do you want? – your motivation for the position
What can you do? – your professional qualifications and results
Who Are you? – what personal characteristics do you have and what employee can get.
What is your motivation for the position?
How can you contribute to the employer in the new position?
- Use examples from experience or life to present your contributions
- Use the STAR method to present your contributions.
Why are you the right candidate for the position?

Conclusion Part

The final part of the Job Interview is usually a summary and what is happening next in the hiring process.

Is there anything else interviewers should have asked about?
- Did you plan to say something but forget about that
Is there something that you want to ask interviewers?
- It is smart to have some questions that make you interested in a position
References handout.
- Make the references list and print it out. It is much better than look at them on your phone and giving them in that way.

Job Interview Process – Step By Step

Job Interview is so important, critical, and a turning point for your career so it has lots of steps. Before we are lost in all the steps let’s first divide the whole Job Interview process into phases and then for each phase define the steps. Finally, we can explain each step in more detail.

Job Interview Phases

Here are the Job Interview Phases:

Preparation
Job Interview Itself
Follow Up – After Job Interview
Evaluation Of Your Job Interview Performance

Preparation Phase Of Job Interview

Job Vacancy Analysis

We have already written the post about Job Vacancy Analysis and its importance in Job searching process. So please refer to the article How To Analyze Job Vacancy In Norway.

If you have already done Job Vacancy Analysis then your Job Interview preparation phase is easier and a lot shorter so you will be more efficient and save lots of time for other steps in the Job Interview Process.

We strongly encourage you not to skip Job Vacancy Analysis since it is obvious that it pays itself in the long run.

Write Your Own Targeted Cover Letter And Resume (CV)

If your Cover Letter and Resume (CV) are not written as one size fits all but rather as tailored, customized, and targeting a specific position or company that will be noticeable for sure.

We have already written articles dedicated to these important topics so no need to occupy space here and repeat ourselves. Just read Take A Time To Write Targeted Cover Letter For Norwegian Job Market and Take A Time To Write Targeted Resume (CV) For Norwegian Job Market.

Do The Company’s Research

If you have accepted a business model where you will trade your time, professional skills for a monthly salary it is better to do the research where you will spend your time. When you are doing the company’s research you want to know:

Company:
- products
- services
- values
- current updates
- history
- offer in Job Vacancy

Make sure that a company’s values comply with your own values and attitudes as we have described in the article Map Your Values And Attitudes For Job Search In Norway.

Prepare Questions

While you are doing the company’s research and Job Vacancy Analysis make sure to write down all the questions you have about:

a position.
a company.

Practice Job Interview

Practice the most likely job interview questions until the answers are effortlessly coming out from you. Germans have an exact to the point proverb that explains this step to its core. Make sure to be like a German while exercising this step.

Übung macht den Meister (Practice makes a master)

GERMAN PROVERB

While you practice you want to focus on a few things just to make a difference.

When you are preparing your presentation for delivery usually most of your time is spent on what you will say (95%) rather than how you will say it (5%). So if you want to turn the game in your favor you will focus on presentation skills rather than what you will say.

Do not forget what is happening with the message you are delivering to someone as you can see on the illustration below.

What Do You Want To Practice For Job Interview

Here is the list of things you want to practice for the Job Interview:

Practice
- the most likely Job Interview Questions.
- the questions about the position or company that you will ask.
- Who Am I Answer?
- What Can I Do?
- What Do I Want?
- Answering On Your Strengths And Weaknesses Questions
- Examples Of Your Contributions For The Previous Companies
- Your Motivation Factors For Job Applying
- Why Choose Me As Right Candidate Answer
- Your Body Language
- Your Smile And Eye Contact
- Firm Handshake
- Greeting Politely
- Your Voice Volume
- Your Speech Pauses

How To Practice Job Interview

You will start your Job Interview practice and slowly progress the practice until you master all the aspects of the Job Interviews. Follow these stages while practicing Job Interviews.

Just make your answers and presentation effortless.
Practice in front of the mirror and include the practice of smiles, eye contact, body language.
Ask a family member or someone you know to practice in front of them. Add handshake practice, small chat practice in addition to all the above. Ask for feedback.
Record yourself and be as objective as you can while watching your presentation video.

Just remember that in stage 3 your family members and friends can be subjective so that is the main reason for stage 4 where you need to be as objective as you can since it is about your future career after all.

Prepare Dressing Code, Grooming, And Hygiene

Pick out the outfit to help you look professional. In Norway for example tie is most likely not necessary in job interviews.

Plan Your Journey To Job Interview Location

Plan your journey to the job interview location well in advance. Do the test run if necessary, especially if you are first time in that area, city, or even country.

Plan Trip To Job Interview Location – Personal Experience

On my first job interview in Norway, my hotel was a long distance from Job interview location. So I did a test run a day before just to measure the time needed, to be familiar with the area, to check traffic rush, etc.

On my way from the bus stop to the company’s building, I have asked for assistance and it happened that the person helping me is actually an employee of the company. While we were walking and chatting on the way the person explained to me that has a coworker from my country and offered to visit and meet the coworker. Of course, I did that and get a tone of valuable information about the Job interview process, company culture, and many more.

On the actual Job interview the next day I used this as an example to back up the statement about being thorough, easy to meet people, etc.

The point of this story is to understand that even a test trip can be very valuable and not just a waste of time.

Gather All The Necessary Documents

Gather all the necessary documents that will be proof of your formal competencies. Make additional copies as needed. Put and organize your documents in Expanding Organizer File Folder with index tabs. This will present you as a well-organized person and be sure that this will be noticed by most of the employers.

If you are struggling with which documents to gather or how to organize their digital copies or how to gather documents for a Job interview we have written a dedicated article Checklist – Which Documents Should You Hand In With Your Job Application In Norway. So use this checklist as your personal reminder whenever you need it.

Re-energies

Go to the bed early, the night before the Job Interview so when you wake up on the day of the Job Interview you feel refreshing, full of energy to take the Job Interview challenge with ease. Especially if you are not sleeping in your own bed and pillow. When you are for a Job Interview abroad most likely you will be in the hotel so be aware of that if you have difficulty with sleeping habits.

Job Interview Itself Phase

Arrive On Time

Arrive at the Job Interview Location 15 minutes early just to have time to register at receptionists and lower your stress level so you are more relaxed prepared for the first impression and further Job interview process.

Make sure to be polite to everyone you meet on the way including the receptionist. Just remember that everyone’s impression counts.

First impression

The first impression is extremely important and you need to be aware of how people form the impression about other people knowing these facts.

It takes 2-10 seconds for the non-verbal first impression to be formed.
It takes up to 4 minutes for the verbal first impression to be formed.

The first impression includes many signs such as:

Politely greeting everyone on the Job panel
Firmly handshake with the Job Interview panel
Smile
Eye contact
Seating position
Organization of space in front of you:
- Neatly place your Resume (CV) Cover Letter, Skills Portfolio in front of you
- Neatly place your Expending Organizer File Folder with other documents in it.
- Place your notepad for taking the notes
Body Language

Stand Out

When the candidate presentation starts it is your time to shine and show that you are the right candidate for the position. Remember everything you have practiced and implement right now.

Maintain eye contact and smile
Be
- positive
- engaged
- present
Remain professional
Be on point
Present who you are
Take out the documents that back up your education and achievements so you can present them
Present your motivation for the position and company
Present your contributions with examples
- Use the STAR method to present your contributions
Present:
- results to emphasize your contributions
- why you are the right candidate for the position
- your strengths and social skills
  - Use value based communication to present your strengths
Talk about your weaknesses only if asked
Ask the questions when your turn to ask them is

Conclusion

When the interview finishes, thank them for their time and opportunity to present yourself in your closing statement before you leave.

Remain polite on your way out.

Follow Up Phase – After Job Interview

Gratitude

When you come back home after the Job Interview as a reminder send thank you emails to the Job Interview panel. You can emphasize your confidence that after a job interview you, even more, believe that you are the right candidate for the job and looking forward to the next steps in the hiring process.

Follow Up

If you are not getting feedback from Job interviewers for some time make a phone call asking about the hiring process status and when you can expect the second round of interviews.

Evaluation Phase Of Job Interview

Did You Achieved Your Goal

Don’t forget that the job application process and searching for a job is a project. Every project needs management and goals. We will take action to move our project towards our goals. We have discussed all of this in our article SMART TO GOals For Job Search In Norwegian Job Market.

Did You Get The Job?

YES
- Congratulations! Well done.
NO
- What Did You Do
  - Good?
  - Wrong?
- What Can You Improve?

Prepare For The Next Job Interview

Do not waste time. Look at your Job Application Log for the next job application that will be soon in Job interview status and focus on that one.

Useful Vocabulary

Here are some useful words in Norwegian used in this text.

#	English	Norwegian
1	Interview	Intervju
2	Traditional interview	Tradisjonelt intervju
3	Case interview	Caseintervju
4	Group interview	Gruppeintervju
5	Phone interview	Telefonintervju
6	Video interview	Videointervju
7	Test interview	Testintervju
8	Introduction phase	Introduksjonsfase
9	Candidate interview	Intervju av kandidaten
10	Conclusion phase	Avslutningsfase
11	Preparation	Forberedelser
12	Job Interview Itself	Selve Intervjuet
13	Follow Up	Oppfølging
14	Evaluation	Evaluering
15	Interview questions	Intervjuspørsmål
16	Research	Undersøkelser

Good To Know

I got my first job even I was rejected after the Job Interview. Life is so unpredictable and full of surprises so you never know what the sudden turn of destiny will show up. Never give up, never stop believing yourself.

Next Step

The job interview is over or maybe not. Don’t forget to follow up on a job interview.

Good Luck with your Job Search!

Find Job In Norway By Following These Easy 19 Steps

Don’t forget that this article is part of a text serious about finding a job in Norway. Depending on the phase you are in at the moment maybe you can find some articles useful for yourself. So please check them out.

Below you can see the infographic with an overview of all the texts in the series. If you click on the link above you will be sent to the page where all these steps are listed.

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Author: Dejan Mladenovic

I moved my family of 3 to Norway in 2008 and created this website so that I can share what I’ve learned with anyone that’s thinking of moving or traveling to Norway. It’s such an awesome place, and I want you to get the most out of it!