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Tips and tricks

We provide you with a range of useful tips and tricks to help you prepare your application documents and prepare for job interviews. We also offer you a list of frequently asked questions in job interviews and tips on how to prepare for them.

Why should I create a LinkedIn profile?

A LinkedIn profile offers benefits such as professional networking, job opportunities, industry information, online presence and knowledge sharing. Overall, a LinkedIn profile can help support your professional goals, discover new career opportunities, build professional relationships and expand your expertise.

How do I prepare for a job interview?

Technical

  • Find out how to get to the company; if necessary, go there the day before so that you can familiarise yourself and know the way to the company.
  • It is better to arrive too early than too late! Arriving 10 minutes early is ok. But don't ring the doorbell/knock until 3 - 5 minutes before the agreed time.
  • Find out in advance how long it might take to get from the reception/gate to the interview location; add this time to your journey.
  • Bring a complete dossier with your documents to the interview (even if you have already sent your documents with your application).
  • Take the following documents with you: Identity card/foreigner's identity card, health insurance card, bank card/bank account details, AHV card, driving licence.
  • Bring your reference sheet with you to the interview and hand it over when asked or at the end of the interview.
  • Take a neutral writing pad and writing utensils with you.
  • Make sure you write down and practise the names of the important people in the company that you already know and make a note of new names on your notepad.
  • Call those present by name from time to time during the conversation, but certainly when greeting and saying goodbye.

Personal

  • Think about what clothes and shoes you wear. Dress and groom yourself so that you look good and feel comfortable. Rule of thumb: dress as you would if you were already working there. Light-coloured clothes look more open and appealing; dark colours look elegant, but also sombre.
  • Do not wear flashy jewellery.
  • Use perfume or aftershave only discreetly or do without it, but appear showered and well-groomed.
  • Avoid garlic the day before and the smell of coffee, alcohol or cigarettes. If you do smoke beforehand, do not smoke in front of the company entrance; in this case, arrive a little earlier and ask to go to the toilet; wash your hands there and freshen up.
  • Take refreshing tissues with you; the first handshake should have a lasting positive effect
    Always have sweets or, even better, a mouth spray with you.

Tip for your cover letter for an advert

  • Clear and concise structuring of the application letter according to the S/I/T formula (you-meet-me):
    Part S - You: Your professional or emotional connection to the company, to the industry
    Part I - Me: Your qualifications, your speciality, possibly your successes
    Part T - Meet us: My offer, your profit. Request for contact and a personal meeting.
  • is meaningful formulated; one senses the professional and emotional Connection of your person with the company or job
  • consists of easily understandable and short sentences
  • contains no empty phrases or general, meaningless sentences
  • suits your personality and style
  • is error-free
  • ideally has the length of one A4 page, maximum two pages

Consider the requirements of the job advertisement and the company.

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Contiva supports people in finding their career path. The counselling and courses on offer range from assessing the current situation, targeted job searches and individual applications to supportive coaching in the workplace. Together, we develop realisable prospects that take account of individual strengths and wishes.
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