The job interview in Italy

Read about the company, its values, products and news, and review the job advert and your CV to link what they ask with what you offer.

• Prepare examples of your achievements in the situation, task, action and result way.
• Practise your answers aloud in Italian.
• Know the route and allow for traffic, transport and strikes, arrive ten minutes before the appointment, and if you are late call at once.
• In online interviews test the camera and sound and choose a quiet place.
• Bring copies of your CV, certificates, ID and your list of questions.
• And know that some interviews include tests or a group interview (colloquio di gruppo), so prepare for them.

Shake hands firmly with a smile and eye contact and say your name, and address the interviewer with Lei and Buongiorno or Buonasera.

• Smart dress is important: a suit or formal clothes for banks, offices and law, smart casual for tech and creative jobs, and clean and tidy for trades and hospitality.
• Italians care about appearance, shoes and bag.
• Speak with enthusiasm and clarity and good expression.
• Do not overdo personal talk.
• If you do not shake hands for religious reasons say so kindly with a verbal greeting.
• Italians appreciate warmth, personal communication and a smile.
• And avoid chewing gum and the phone during the interview.

You will be asked about yourself, your experience, why the job and company interest you, your strengths and weaknesses, a difficult situation you solved, working in a team, where you see yourself in five years, why you left your previous job, and your readiness to work flexibly or travel.

• Answer with real examples, briefly and positively.
• Avoid criticising the previous employer.
• And do not be afraid to mention a real non-essential weakness and how you are working on it. And show your enthusiasm and ability to adapt and learn, which is valued especially for someone from another country.
• If your Italian is limited say so clearly and show you are learning hard, and the interview may be held in English if the job is international.

Salary is usually stated as gross annual (RAL: Retribuzione Annua Lorda) and often paid in 13 or 14 months: the tredicesima in December and the quattordicesima in June or July in many sectors.

• Ask whether the figure is divided by 12, 13 or 14.
• Net (netto) is much less after INPS contributions and IRPEF tax.
• Check the collective agreement (CCNL) which sets the minimum pay and level, since there is no single statutory minimum wage.
• Ask about leave (at least four weeks), working hours and any benefits (meal vouchers buoni pasto, supplementary health insurance and a car).
• Prepare a reasonable figure and a range.
• And the TFR (end-of-service allowance) accrues gradually.

At the end of the interview ask about daily tasks, the team, training, development opportunities and when you will hear the decision, since questions show your interest.

• Send a short thank-you message the same day.
• The company may request a second interview, a test or an interview with the manager.
• On an offer ask for a written contract and read it carefully: its type (permanent, temporary or apprenticeship), duration, probation period, salary, level, collective agreement and hours.
• You may negotiate politely on salary, leave and working hours.
• And do not start work without a contract and INPS registration.
• If you are turned down ask for feedback and stay courteous, since the company may come back to you.

How do you address the interviewer?