The job interview decides whether a good application turns into an offer. The good news: most questions are predictable, and with the right preparation you come across calm and convincing. This guide covers the most common interview questions and how to answer them, the STAR method for strong examples, good questions to ask back, and how to prepare well in Switzerland. Whether it is called a Vorstellungsgespräch or Bewerbungsgespräch, it means the same thing.
As a career coach in Zurich I have prepared hundreds of candidates for interviews. The ones who win are rarely the loudest. They are the best prepared.
How to prepare for the interview
Good preparation has three parts: research the company, know your own story, and bring your own questions. Official Swiss career guidance (berufsberatung.ch) advises researching the company and likely questions in advance and preparing your own. Reread the job advert and match it against your CV: for every requirement, have a concrete example ready.
Sort out the practical side too: place, time, who will attend and how long the journey takes. Punctuality is especially valued in Switzerland, so build in a buffer.
The most common interview questions
Most questions repeat across industries. If you can answer these five confidently, you are ready for most interviews.
Tell me about yourself
This is not an invitation to your life story but to a focused summary. In one or two minutes, give your current role, one relevant achievement, and why you want this job. The difference:
Before: "I studied business, then did various things, and now I am here."
