When you get invited to a job interview, you know that you have done everything right up to that point in the application process. In order to make it through the interview and increase your chances of signing a contract, you need to know a lot about the company itself, but also about how job interviews are conducted in Belgium.
In small and medium-sized companies, they will invite you to an interview based on your written application (motivation letter and CV). On average you get notified within one or two weeks after the interview whether or not you are withheld for the position.
Bigger companies often have more elaborated sourcing needs for human resource management, so the selection process will generally be a bit longer, with at least two interviews. You will be invited to a first interview, often at an assessment center where you directly compete with other candidates for the job. If you complete the first round, you will usually get an invitation to a more personal interview with the HR manager. Another short interview with your direct superior will either take place on the same day or during a third interview. If you successfully completed the selection process, you will get notified whether you get the job within a few days or a few weeks, depending on the urgency of the vacancy.
Get prepared!
Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for their job interview. Why, you ask? Interview skills are learned, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. A good job interview stands or falls with preparation, you can read that on every job site. But what does good preparation entail? Four tips.
Collect information ( get to know the company, get to know the interviewer, get to know the location)
You should be able to name 3 strengths and weaknesses of yourself (with examples that really show how that strength or weakness translates itself into the work field). A usual first question in a Belgian interview is the question: please tell me something about yourself. So, be prepared to answer this question by giving a quick overview of your CV (not too many detail)
Interview Guidelines
Classic Belgian Job Interview Guidelines:
The beginning of the interview is the perfect time to showcase your language skills. If other languages are required dare to speak them. You could for example start by saying "Aangename kennismaking" (Dutch "Nice to meet you"). Since Belgium especially Flemish region is very sensitive when it comes to languages this will for sure be appreciated.
A very important but often forgotten guideline is to always keep your answers as relevant as possible. Never give long and never-ending answers! Really listen to the question asked and answer to the point.
During your interview, the company could ask certain questions that they normally should not ask. For example, they might want to know if you are pregnant or have any family plans or raise the question of personal health. If you feel you would not like to answer a sensitive private question you can indicate, you feel uncomfortable talking about this and/or ask how this relates to the job. It’s then up to you to decide whether you want to work in a company that brings those issues into a discussion.
If you have a gap in your resume, which is quite normal when you just arrived in a new country, you can expect that the recruiter will ask you about this. The best thing to do is to be honest, explain the difficulties you may have encountered such as getting your diploma recognized, obtaining a work permit, learning a new language...
In case you also applied for other jobs at other companies, you can openly say that, as it’s the truth and it indicates the type of jobs you are interested in. If this is the job you want and the only one you applied for, you can also say this, by doing so emphasizing your motivation once more.
Recruiters will usually end an interview by asking you whether you have any further questions. Never hesitate to ask them, as this Q&A passage is a unique opportunity to gather useful information about the company. It's an extra chance to show your interest in the company. You could ask what kind of projects the job will bring, how long the interviewer has been working for the company, what they, as an employer, really appreciate the most in their employees.... Prepare 4/5 questions beforehand, so you always have some to ask.
And keep in mind that job applications are a two- way street - you want the job but the company also wants an employee. So you also have the right to ask your questions. Even if you don’t have any special requests, always ask when you can expect to hear from them again. (So you don’t wait every day for the phone to ring!)
When saying goodbye the most common way is to end with a firm and friendly handshake and to thank them for their time.
Do not panic if they don't notify you about their decision within a week! You can call or email the company after the promised date has passed.
