Interview Advice?

eric71 · Post by **eric71** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 1:43 am

I'm FINALLY coming to finland in a couple weeks for an interview. I've read Phil's very informative sticky, and I was wondering if anyone has any additional advice for how a Finnish interview will go. They've got me scheduled for what looks like two half-day sessions (maybe more). I know I've really got to set their mind at ease about hiring a foreigner and don't want to do any culturally annoying things, i.e. too much eye contact, talking too much, etc. What type of experience have people had here with successful interviews? I've done my homework as far as the technology goes, but I don't know what other subjects will come up.

Also, can anyone recommend an inexpensive hotel in Turku, preferably walkable to the Science Park?

Thanks,
Eric

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hemuli · Post by **hemuli** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 8:23 am

If you are that far, than good luck. Forget about the cultural differences, the people at the science park in Turku are quite well educated, many of them have even lived for several years in the civilized countries.
At this stage your chances are pretty good. You only need to do the tests.

hemuli · Post by **hemuli** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 8:31 am

eric71 wrote: I've read Phil's very informative sticky, ....
Eric

You'd better stick to the normal books or webpages on applying for jobs.

It's interesting to follow how Phil is trying to learn these things, but in real life you need other tools.

Google for 'applying for a federal job'; many of their guidelines also apply for the science park in Turku.

bohica · Post by **bohica** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 9:39 am

eric71 wrote:I'm FINALLY coming to finland in a couple weeks for an interview. I've read Phil's very informative sticky, and I was wondering if anyone has any additional advice for how a Finnish interview will go. They've got me scheduled for what looks like two half-day sessions (maybe more). I know I've really got to set their mind at ease about hiring a foreigner and don't want to do any culturally annoying things, i.e. too much eye contact, talking too much, etc. What type of experience have people had here with successful interviews? I've done my homework as far as the technology goes, but I don't know what other subjects will come up.

Also, can anyone recommend an inexpensive hotel in Turku, preferably walkable to the Science Park?

Thanks,
Eric

What do I know, but here's a thought: you might be surprised how well some Finns know the US - not most Finns, but like Helmuli said, you're dealing with a special group. If it were me, I'd be myself, lest I give a false impression.

BAT · Post by **BAT** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:20 am

American style of interviews sees an applicant speaking much more about their abilities and achievements. (Tooting their own horn so to speak.) Finns tend to be a little more humble, and rely on their CVs and support documents to tell about their abilities and achievements. My advice would be to listen carefully in the interview and give concise answers to the questions, avoiding the temptation of long answers where you might tell them how great your skills and abilities are (which they have already seen from your CV.) Of course you need tell them how you can be of benefit to them in the job offered, but don't come on too strong or what could be perceived as "arrogant" by Finns. Even if Finnish interviewers are aware of the difference in culture, a more Finnish approach to the interview will likely be more appealing to them. Just my 2 cents worth.

PS - You may already be the type of person who is more humble, so perhaps this advice is not necessary. (I don't mean to stereotype you as an "American"

)

eric71 · Post by **eric71** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:51 am

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm a fairly shy and reserved person, so I should fit in pretty well with a "Finnish style" interview. I've got a follow-up question: I've read some websites about doing business and being interviewed in Finland, and one mentioned giving a gift (generally something with your company logo on it) at the end of a successful interview or business meeting. Because they are flying me to Finland, getting a hotel room for me, etc., would it be appropriate for me to give a gift of gratitude for their hospitality? If yes, what would be a reasonable gift?

Thanks again,
Eric

BAT · Post by **BAT** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:05 am

I've personally never heard of that and wouldn't give a gift. I'd be more inclined to write a thank you letter to the interviewers involved in the process.

deojuvame · Post by **deojuvame** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:55 am

eric71 wrote:Thanks for all of the replies. I'm a fairly shy and reserved person, so I should fit in pretty well with a "Finnish style" interview. I've got a follow-up question: I've read some websites about doing business and being interviewed in Finland, and one mentioned giving a gift (generally something with your company logo on it) at the end of a successful interview or business meeting. Because they are flying me to Finland, getting a hotel room for me, etc., would it be appropriate for me to give a gift of gratitude for their hospitality? If yes, what would be a reasonable gift?

I think within that context, bringing a gift would come off as half-assed bribery.

Gifts would probably be more fruitful if deployed within a setting where both parties are representing their companies, that way it's a bit more equal.

hemuli · Post by **hemuli** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:40 am

eric71 wrote:Thanks for all of the replies. ... Because they are flying me to Finland, getting a hotel room for me, etc., would it be appropriate for me to give a gift of gratitude for their hospitality? If yes, what would be a reasonable gift?

Thanks again,
Eric

Come on... the science park in Turku is pretty new. The city of Turku is pretty keen to get there the right people. So all this stuff (flying, hotel) for applicants was budgeted a long time ago. It's all tax money. Enjoy.

The interview is the main thing, the rest is decoration.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:26 am

Hi Eric, First of all good luck in your interview.

I'm not in total agreement with the advice you have thus far. Having been involved a number of times during the hiring process of the company I work for, I can at least share first hand information of the process itself and the cultural differences.

First of all, be yourself, despite good intentioned posts to the contrary, people want to see the real deal warts and all.

Secondly I think leaving a small gift or thank you letter is not at all appropriate. The best thing you can do is give an adequate account of your skills, experience, what you'll bring to the position and your needs. As an interviewer the worst thing I can ever do is waste my time with someone who has fabricated their CV and tried to pretend they're something they're not.

Once we interviewed a guy who had the perfect CV for the position, during the interview it became apparent it was obvious that he fabricated most of the information within it. The thank you letter we received a week later did not go down, no one wants an arse licker even less a useless one.

Best of luck,
James

BAT · Post by **BAT** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:55 am

Yes, but you are not Finnish James.

Of course it is a waste of time to interview someone who has lied about their CV details, but that is life when you are recruiting personnel. I doubt that is an issue in Eric's case.

Would a thank you letter really be perceived as ass-licking if the company flew a person a great distance and hosted them for a short time for the interview process? I call it good manners.

What do some of you Finns think? Or others who have lots of recruiting experience in Finland? It would be nice to get lots of opinions.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:16 pm

Indeed BAT, to each their own. Whilst I'm not Finnish, there were mainly Finns involved with me during the hiring process, so my observations where not just my own.

As for the "Thank you letter", well Eric can make his own choice there. Having worked abroad on numerous occasions, Relocation/Interview intake costs are par with the course when hiring candidates not found domestically. I never sent any thank you letters and always got the job. Good manners in IMO is nothing more than being the same person as stated on my CV, its business nothing more. Thank you letters are for friends and family, but in the end its about personality, so to each their own.

BAT · Post by **BAT** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:20 pm

It is true, it is hard to know whether a thank you letter will tip the favour to your side, or have the opposite effect. It needs consideration.

I would send one because that is my personality, but that choice may not be right for others.

hdblue · Post by **hdblue** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:59 am

BAT wrote:It is true, it is hard to know whether a thank you letter will tip the favour to your side, or have the opposite effect. It needs consideration.

I would send one because that is my personality, but that choice may not be right for others.

Hi,

I agreed with you. Thank you letter is important. It help me to think about my ideal.

Pls try to keep posting. Tks and best wishes

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