How to Prepare for a Job Interview: A Checklist

How do you prepare for a job interview?

Work through this plan as soon as you get the invitation:

1. Reply promptly, and confirm the time, place and who you will be meeting.
2. Reread the job ad and highlight the four or five most important requirements and tasks.
3. Reread your own CV and cover letter. The interview is built around them, and anything you wrote is fair game.
4. Research the organisation, the role and the people you will meet.
5. Find five or six concrete examples that prove you can do what the job ad asks for.
6. Practise the common questions out loud, ideally with another person.
7. Prepare four or five questions of your own.
8. Plan the practicalities: what to wear, how to get there and what to bring.

Step 5 matters most. Interviewers remember specific stories far better than general claims like "I am a great team player". For the common questions and example answers, see our guide to job interview questions.

What should you research before an interview?

You do not need to memorise the annual report, but you should be able to explain why you want to work there. Focus on what matters for the role:

• What the organisation does, who its customers or users are and how it makes money.
• News from the past year: new products, acquisitions, restructuring, major projects.
• Values and strategy. Check the website, but also look for evidence of how they act on them.
• The people you are meeting. Look at their LinkedIn profiles so you know their roles.
• The context of the role: is it new or a replacement, and which team would you join?

In Denmark it is common to call the contact person named in the job ad before applying, and it is not too late to do it before the interview if the ad invites questions. If you know anyone who works there, ask them about the culture and a normal working day. If you are new to Denmark, it is also worth reading up on Danish workplace culture: flat hierarchies, a strong focus on work-life balance, and an expectation that you take initiative without waiting to be told.

How do you practise for an interview?

Running through answers in your head is not the same as saying them. Many people only realise during the interview that an answer is too long or rambling, so practise out loud, ideally with someone else.

• Ask a friend, partner or former colleague to play the interviewer and ask the common questions.
• Record yourself on your phone and watch it back. Look at length, filler words and body language.
• Use bullet points rather than scripts so you sound natural.
• Focus on the tricky ones: weaknesses, gaps in your CV, why you are leaving, salary expectations.
• If you are interviewing in English for a Danish company, practise explaining your experience simply and clearly. Your interviewers may be speaking their second language too.

What should you bring to a job interview?

• A few printed copies of your CV and cover letter, for yourself and for any panel member who does not have one to hand.
• The job ad with your notes and your own questions.
• A notebook and pen.
• Certificates, a portfolio or work samples if they are relevant to your field. If your qualifications are from abroad, bring any recognition documents you have.
• The contact person's name and phone number in case you are delayed.

Dress to fit the workplace, a notch smarter than what staff wear day to day. Many Danish workplaces are fairly informal, so smart trousers and a shirt or blouse are often right, while a suit fits better in sectors such as finance and law. If in doubt, ask when you confirm the interview. Arrive five to ten minutes early, not much earlier, as Danes value punctuality in both directions.

How do you prepare for a video interview?

Video interviews are often used for first rounds and for candidates who are relocating to Denmark. The preparation is the same, but the technology has to work too.

• Test the platform (Teams, Zoom or Google Meet) the day before, and log in five minutes early.
• Face the light rather than sitting with a window behind you, and raise the camera to eye level.
• Choose a calm background and silence notifications on your computer and phone.
• Use a headset if your audio echoes.
• Look into the camera when you speak, not only at the screen.
• Keep brief notes beside the screen, but do not read from them.

Some employers use recorded video answers, where you respond to questions on your own within a time limit. Keep answers short and structured, and practise answering a question in under two minutes. If you are in a different time zone, double-check the time in Danish time.

Personality tests and cases: what to expect in Denmark

Personality tests are common in Danish recruitment, usually between the first and second interview. Well-known ones include PI (Predictive Index), Garuda, JobMatch Talent and DISC. The result is used as a starting point for a conversation about how you work, not as a pass or fail.

• Answer honestly and fairly quickly. Trying to guess the "right" answer often produces a profile that does not ring true.
• Take the test somewhere quiet, when you are rested. Most tests are available in English.
• Read your profile and think about where you recognise yourself and where you do not. It is fine to say a result does not fit if you can give an example.
• Some roles also use logic or numerical reasoning tests, and you can practise similar tasks in advance.

A case is a task where you show how you would tackle a real problem from the job: a campaign plan, a data analysis, a presentation or a role play with a customer. Some candidates get the case in advance, others solve it on the spot.

1. Clarify the brief: time available, format and who the audience is.
2. Show your thinking. How you reach a solution often matters more than the solution itself.
3. State your assumptions out loud, and what you would investigate with more time.
4. Keep to time and finish with a clear recommendation.

How do you prepare for a second interview?

If you are invited back, you are usually among the last two or three candidates. The first interview explored whether you can do the job; the second goes deeper into how you would do it and whether the chemistry is right. You may meet new people, such as a director or future colleagues, and there is often a test or case.

• Write down what you discussed in the first interview and what you could have answered better.
• Prepare fresh examples so you are not repeating the same stories.
• Be ready to talk concretely about your first few months in the role.
• Expect questions about salary, notice period and start date. If you need a work or residence permit, be clear about your status and timeline.
• Ask the questions you saved from the first round, such as working hours, remote work and onboarding.

The employer may also ask for references. Let your referees know in advance and brief them on the role so they are ready for the call. Read our guide to salary negotiation so you are prepared if an offer comes.

After the interview: follow-up and handling rejection

Make notes straight after the interview: what they asked, what they emphasised and what was agreed about next steps. Formal thank-you letters are less common in Denmark than in the UK or US, but a short email the same or next day is a nice touch, especially if you want to add something you forgot.

If you have not heard back by the agreed date, it is perfectly fine to call or email to ask how things are going. Wait a couple of working days after the deadline and keep it brief and friendly.

If you are turned down, ask for feedback. Many employers are willing to give a short explanation over the phone if you ask politely, and it can make your next interview stronger. Thank them for the opportunity and ask to be considered for future roles. It does happen that an employer comes back to a strong runner-up when a new position opens.

If you are applying for several jobs at once, CVm8 can tailor your CV to each job ad automatically from your profile, leaving you more time to prepare for the interviews themselves.

Frequently asked questions

How long should you prepare for a job interview?

Plan for a few hours over a couple of days: research, examples, practice and practicalities. Allow more time for a second interview or a case.

What should I wear to a job interview in Denmark?

Dress to fit the workplace, slightly smarter than everyday staff wear. Many Danish offices are informal, so smart casual is often right; if unsure, ask.

What is a personality test in a Danish job interview?

A questionnaire such as PI, Garuda or JobMatch Talent that describes how you work and collaborate. It is used as a basis for conversation, not as an exam.

How long after an interview should you hear back?

It varies, but often one to two weeks. Ask at the end of the interview when you can expect to hear, and follow up if that date passes.

Should I send a thank-you email after an interview?

It is not expected in Denmark, but a short, friendly note the same or next day is a good close, especially if you want to add something.

Can I ask for feedback after a rejection?

Yes. Call or email politely and ask what made the difference. Many employers are happy to give a brief explanation.

Related guides

• Job Interview Questions and Answers (with Examples)Common job interview questions and answers with examples: tell me about yourself, strengths, weaknesses, STAR and salary. Plus the best questions to ask.
• Salary Negotiation: How to Ask for What You're WorthSalary negotiation made practical: research your market rate, answer salary expectations and negotiate the full package. Scripts included.
• Danish CV Format: How to Apply for Jobs in DenmarkThe Danish CV format explained for internationals: structure, length, tone, language and getting foreign qualifications recognised. See examples.
• LinkedIn Profile Tips: Get Found by RecruitersLinkedIn profile tips for your headline, photo, About section, experience and skills, with examples you can adapt to get more recruiter messages.