Career Advice
Ace Your First Interview: Complete Preparation Guide for Students in Greece
You got the interview! Now comes the hard part: convincing them you're the right person for the role. Here's your complete preparation guide, designed specifically for internship and graduate interviews in Greece.
📚 Before We Start: This is Advice, Not Scripture
These are commonly effective strategies based on recruiter feedback and career advisor experience. But every interview is different, and there's no guarantee any method works 100% of the time.
Interviews aren't about being perfect. They're about showing you can think, communicate, and learn. Greek employers often value authenticity over rehearsed answers. Be prepared, but be yourself.
💡 Pro tip: Your university career services offers free mock interviews! Practice with them before the real thing.
The STAR Method (Your Framework)
When asked behavioral questions ("Tell me about a time when..."), use STAR to structure your answer:
S - Situation
Set the context. Where were you? What was the challenge?
Example: "During my final year project at AUEB..."
T - Task
What was your specific responsibility?
Example: "I was responsible for the backend API development..."
A - Action
What did YOU do? (Not your team - focus on your contribution)
Example: "I researched 3 frameworks and chose Express.js because..."
R - Result
What was the outcome? Use numbers!
Example: "The API handled 1,000+ requests/day with 99.9% uptime"
10 Questions You WILL Be Asked
1. "Tell me about yourself"
Good Answer Structure:
"I'm a 3rd year Business student at AUEB, focusing on marketing and digital strategy. Last summer, I interned at a local startup where I managed their social media and increased engagement by 150%. I'm passionate about data-driven marketing and looking for an internship where I can apply analytics to real campaigns. That's why I'm excited about this role at [Company]."
⏱️ Keep it under 90 seconds
2. "Why do you want this role?"
❌ Bad: "I need an internship to graduate"
✓ Good:
"I'm specifically interested in this role because [Company] is doing [specific thing you researched]. My experience with [relevant skill] would allow me to contribute immediately, while learning [specific thing you want to learn]. I saw that you recently [company news] which aligns with my interest in [area]."
🔑 Research the company for 15 minutes before the interview!
3. "What's your biggest weakness?"
❌ Bad: "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard"
✓ Good (Real Weakness + Growth):
"I sometimes struggle with public speaking, especially in English. I've been working on this by presenting in class more often and joining a Toastmasters group. I recently presented my thesis to 50 people and got positive feedback, so I'm improving."
💡 Show self-awareness + active improvement
4. "Tell me about a time you failed"
Use STAR: Describe a real failure, what you learned, and how you've improved since.
"In my first group project, I didn't communicate clearly with my team about deadlines. We missed a milestone and had to work weekends to catch up. Since then, I use Trello to track everyone's tasks and have daily 5-minute standups. Haven't missed a deadline since."
🎯 Focus on the learning, not the failure
5. "Do you have any questions for us?"
❌ Never say: "No, I think you covered everything"
✓ Ask Smart Questions:
- • "What would success look like in this role after 3 months?"
- • "What do you enjoy most about working here?"
- • "What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?"
- • "Is there a mentorship program for interns?"
- • "What's the team structure I'd be working with?"
📝 Prepare 5-6 questions (they might answer some during the interview)
The Day Before: Your Preparation Checklist
Research the Company (30 minutes)
- • Read their website "About" and "Careers" pages
- • Check recent LinkedIn posts or news articles
- • Understand their products/services
- • Note 2-3 specific things you can mention
Prepare Your Stories (45 minutes)
- • Write 3-4 STAR examples (teamwork, challenge, leadership, failure)
- • Practice saying them out loud
- • Time yourself (each should be 60-90 seconds)
Logistics Check (15 minutes)
- • Test your internet/camera/mic (for video interviews)
- • Plan your route (for in-person, arrive 10 minutes early)
- • Prepare professional outfit
- • Print 2 copies of your CV
Night Before
Get 7-8 hours sleep. No last-minute cramming. You're as prepared as you'll be. Trust the work you've done.
Cultural Nuances for Greece-Based Interviews
🇬🇷 Interview Culture in Greece
Formality: Greek business culture varies. Startups are casual (first names, relaxed dress). Corporates (banks, consulting) are more formal (Mr./Mrs., suit required). When in doubt, go slightly more formal.
Language: Most tech/business interviews are in English, even at Greek companies. If you're more comfortable in Greek, it's okay to ask. Show you can communicate in both.
Connections: Greek business culture values relationships. If you have mutual connections (same university, professor recommendation, family friend), it's appropriate to mention naturally (not as leverage, but as conversation).
Follow-up: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. It's expected and shows professionalism.
After the Interview
✓ Send Thank-You Email (Within 24 Hours)
Keep it short, professional, and specific:
Subject: Thank You - [Your Name] - [Position Title]
Dear [Interviewer Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Position] role. I especially enjoyed discussing [specific topic you talked about].
Our conversation reinforced my interest in joining [Company]. I'm excited about the opportunity to [specific contribution you discussed].
Please let me know if you need any additional information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
📝 Self-Debrief (Immediate)
Right after the interview, write down:
- • Questions you struggled with
- • What went well
- • What you'd improve next time
- • Specific things they mentioned about the role/company
This makes you better for the next interview
Red Flags to Avoid
The Night Before: Mindset Shift
Stop thinking: "I hope they like me"
Start thinking: "I'm evaluating if this is the right fit for me"
Interviews are a two-way conversation. You're assessing them as much as they're assessing you. This mindset shift reduces anxiety and makes you more confident. You're a talented student from a top Greek university. They're lucky to be talking to you too.
🎓 Practice Makes Progress: Book a Mock Interview
Most Greek universities offer free mock interview sessions with career advisors. They'll ask you common questions, give you feedback, and help you feel more confident.
Many advisors are former recruiters who've conducted hundreds of real interviews. 30 minutes of practice can eliminate weeks of anxiety.
Contact your career services office to schedule a mock interview - usually available within a week!
You've prepared. Now trust yourself and show them who you are. These strategies help, but you are what matters. Good luck! 💪