Back to BlogInterview preparation
An interview is one of the most important parts of the entire recruitment process. Whether you’re going after your dream job or simply aiming for a better opportunity, proper preparation is key to success. Many candidates believe that being on time and answering a few questions is enough – but the reality is a bit more complex.
A successful interview is the result of thorough preparation, well-thought-out answers, and confident presentation. The following points will guide you through how to best prepare for your next interview.
A lack of knowledge about the company is a common weakness among candidates. Yet being well-informed can make a real difference. It shows genuine interest in the position and respect for the company’s time.
Good sources of information include:
Focus on the company’s industry and current projects, its values and culture, as well as major milestones and future plans.
Some questions come up in interviews repeatedly. It’s helpful to have answers prepared—not memorized, but clearly and concisely formulated.
Common questions include:
Be brief yet specific in your answers. Try to link your experience with what the company is looking for. To describe specific achievements or experiences, you can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
An interview should be a two-way conversation. It’s not only about answering questions, but also about asking them. Your own questions show you are truly interested in the position and thinking ahead.
You might ask about:
First impressions matter—and often, they’re formed before a word is even spoken. Dress appropriately for the company’s culture, but when in doubt, lean toward a more formal style.
Arrive with a time buffer—not late, but also not too early (ideally 5–10 minutes before the meeting).
Body language is also important:
Try running through the interview in advance—either on your own in front of a mirror or with someone who can give you honest feedback. This can help reduce nervousness, clarify your thoughts, and refine your answers.
Video interviews have become a standard part of the recruitment process. Preparation is just as crucial here.
Check:
Dress as you would for an in-person interview—not only to make a good impression but also to help you mentally get into the right frame of mind.
Good interview preparation increases your chances of success and helps ease nerves. Do your research, think through your answers, prepare questions, and don’t overlook the small details that often make a big difference. Confidence and authenticity go hand in hand with preparation—and that’s what truly resonates in any interview.
A successful interview is the result of thorough preparation, well-thought-out answers, and confident presentation. The following points will guide you through how to best prepare for your next interview.
Research the Company
A lack of knowledge about the company is a common weakness among candidates. Yet being well-informed can make a real difference. It shows genuine interest in the position and respect for the company’s time.
Good sources of information include:
- the company’s official website,
- its LinkedIn profile or other social media,
- media coverage, interviews, or published articles.
Focus on the company’s industry and current projects, its values and culture, as well as major milestones and future plans.
Prepare Answers to Common Questions
Some questions come up in interviews repeatedly. It’s helpful to have answers prepared—not memorized, but clearly and concisely formulated.
Common questions include:
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Why are you applying for this position?”
- “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Be brief yet specific in your answers. Try to link your experience with what the company is looking for. To describe specific achievements or experiences, you can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Prepare Questions of Your Own
An interview should be a two-way conversation. It’s not only about answering questions, but also about asking them. Your own questions show you are truly interested in the position and thinking ahead.
You might ask about:
- what a typical day in the role looks like,
- the team you would join,
- the current challenges the company or position is facing.
First Impressions: Appearance, Punctuality, Body Language
First impressions matter—and often, they’re formed before a word is even spoken. Dress appropriately for the company’s culture, but when in doubt, lean toward a more formal style.
Arrive with a time buffer—not late, but also not too early (ideally 5–10 minutes before the meeting).
Body language is also important:
- eye contact,
- a smile,
- a firm but natural handshake,
- confident posture and presence.
Practice in Advance
Try running through the interview in advance—either on your own in front of a mirror or with someone who can give you honest feedback. This can help reduce nervousness, clarify your thoughts, and refine your answers.
Online Interview? Prepare Your Tech and Setting
Video interviews have become a standard part of the recruitment process. Preparation is just as crucial here.
Check:
- your internet connection,
- microphone and camera functionality,
- a quiet space with a clean, preferably neutral, background.
Dress as you would for an in-person interview—not only to make a good impression but also to help you mentally get into the right frame of mind.
Good interview preparation increases your chances of success and helps ease nerves. Do your research, think through your answers, prepare questions, and don’t overlook the small details that often make a big difference. Confidence and authenticity go hand in hand with preparation—and that’s what truly resonates in any interview.
Identification of Controller:
Recruit CZ, s.r.o.
Kováků 456/28
150 00 Praha
Company ID: 26764563
VAT number: CZ26764563
File number: C 92159 held at the Municipal Court in Prague
Recruit CZ, s.r.o.
Kováků 456/28
150 00 Praha
Company ID: 26764563
VAT number: CZ26764563
File number: C 92159 held at the Municipal Court in Prague
Processing of personal data
Controller processes in particular the personal data
of its own employees and also the personal data of the candidates, to the extent necessary to
fulfill contractual and legal obligations.
Rights of data subjects
Data subjects have the following rights to process their
personal data:
- the right to information on the processing of his or her personal data, in particular where this Directive does not already apply (categories of personal data processed, processing purposes, recipients, etc.);
- the right to correct inaccurate or complete incomplete personal data - but this does not affect the Company's right to retain so-called historical data, ie outdated data to the extent necessary (eg for tax or social security controls);
- the right to delete (delete) personal data in specified cases, eg on the grounds that personal data are no longer needed for processing, or the data subject withdraws consent to the processing, and there is no further legal title, or processing is contrary to legal modification or deletion is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation. The Company does not have to comply with the data subject's requests if the further processing is necessary, for example, to fulfill a statutory obligation or the exercise of legal claims;
- the right to restrict the processing of personal data (ie, in principle, the Company only retains and otherwise does not process personal data) in specified cases, ie on the grounds that they have been processed in breach of law, or where the data subject inaccuracies or if the Company does not need it, but the data subject requests it, or if the data subject has objected to the processing (until it is verified that the Company's legitimate reasons for processing outweigh the rights of the data subjects). In spite of a request by the data subject for processing restrictions, the company may process personal data, for example, for the purpose of claiming legal rights or for protecting the rights of another person;
- the right to the transferability of personal data, that is, to obtain its personal data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, or to its ransmission to another data controller - this right concerns the personal data provided by the Company data subject and which the Company processes automated by his consent or for the purpose of performing the contract;
- (the right not to be subject to automated individual decision-making with legal or equivalent effects - that is to say, the right not to be the subject of a decision with those effects without the participation of a human factor, except in defined cases;
- where processing of personal data is based on the consent of the data subject, the right to withdraw that consent at any time, without prejudice to the lawfulness of earlier processing carried out prior to the withdrawal of consent;
- If it considers that the processing of its personal data is inconsistent with the law, it has the right to file a complaint with the Supervisory Authority, eg within the Czech Republic - the Office for the Protection of Personal Data (without prejudice to other means of protection).
In case the Company processes personal data due to its legitimate interests (eg direct marketing, camera operation), the data subject has the right to object to such processing. The Company does not process personal data until it has proven that there are serious legitimate reasons for processing that outweigh the interests or rights of the data subject.
Any corrections or deletions of personal data or restrictions on processing performed in accordance with legal regulations shall be communicated by the Company to all entities to whom the personal data concerned have been made available, unless this proves to be impossible or requires unreasonable effort.
All rights of the data subject or other information related to the protection of personal data can be handled by the Company's Legal Executive:
Markéta Šveda
e.mail: office@recruit.cz
