How do I get a job interview in the Czech Republic?

Moving to the Czech Republic is not only about adapting to a new life, language and culture, but also about building a career in a new place. One of the most exciting stages on the way to employment is the interview with the employer. Even if you have a wealth of experience and excellent skills, without knowledge of the Czech interview process, you may lose your chance for the desired position.

In this article we will tell you in detail how to prepare for a job interview in the Czech Republic, what to expect from the process and how to present yourself confidently in front of the employer.

The interview process in the Czech Republic is characterized by its relaxed atmosphere. In most cases, the interview takes place in a friendly atmosphere without pressure or stressful questions. Czech employers value honesty, punctuality and sincerity. They expect the candidate to be able to calmly tell about himself/herself, explain his/her motivation for working in the company and describe his/her professional experience.

Special attention may be paid to the knowledge of the Czech language, especially if the position involves active communication. It is therefore important to be honest about your level of language skills - employers are more likely to be receptive to foreigners who continue to learn the language.

When preparing for an interview, it is worth thinking in advance about answers to standard questions that are often asked by employers in the Czech Republic:

• Tell us a little about yourself. (Řekněte nám něco o sobě.)
• Why do you want to work with us? (Proč chcete pracovat právě u nás?)
• What experience do you have in this kind of work? (Jaké máte zkušenosti s podobnou prací?)
• Your strengths and weaknesses? (Jaké jsou vaše silné a slabé stránky?).
• Where do you see yourself in five years? (Kde se vidíte za pět let?)
• How do you work in a team? (Jaký je váš vztah k práci v týmu?)

To feel more confident, it is recommended to write short answers and practice them out loud or with a friend. The main thing is not to memorize the speech verbatim, but to speak naturally and confidently.

It's also worth knowing a few basic polite phrases in Czech:

• Omlouvám se, mohl(a) byste to prosím zopakovat? - Excuse me, can you repeat that?
• Děkuji za pozvání na pohovor. - Thank you for the invitation to the interview.
• Mám zájem o tuto pozici, protože... - I am interested in this position because....

Even simple politeness in Czech will help you make a good first impression.

Cultural differences can play an important role in a job interview. In the Czech Republic, modesty is perceived positively. It is not customary here to praise oneself excessively or to show aggressive persistence. It is better to be calm, specific and confident without excessive self-promotion.

Honesty is especially important when assessing your level of Czech. If your level is beginner or intermediate, be honest about it. Many employers are willing to give a chance to those who are developing and learning.

The choice of clothing depends on the field: in IT or creative industries, a looser style is possible, in the office it is better to prefer business casual. Being late, even by five minutes, is considered a serious breach of business etiquette, so it is better to arrive early.

How to prepare for a job interview in the Czech Republic to feel confident? Here are some important steps:

• Study the company's website: mission, values, key products or services. Knowing information about the company will demonstrate your interest.
• Prepare specific examples from your experience using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.
• Think through the questions you want to ask the employer. For example: "What is a typical working day like in this position? (Jak vypadá běžný pracovní den na této pozici?)" or "What kind of team will you work with? (Jaký je tým, se kterým budu spolupracovat?)".

The prepared questions show that you are not just looking for any job, but that you are deliberate in your choice of location.