Interview Tips: How to Get a Job in Italy

By Richard Greenbury
26 Sep 2019

There’s no denying that interviews are stressful! They inevitably lead to nerves and very sweaty palms especially when you’re interviewing in a different country and aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of that culture.

Well, have no fear, below we have 7 top tips to help you survive interviews in Italy!

#1 Make your CV and cover letter count

Your CV and cover letter are your first impression on potential employers so make it count and put in some time and thought to what you’re writing.
When you’re writing your CV and cover letter, tailor it to the job that you’re applying for! If you’re applying for a job as a tour guide, don’t write about the skills needed to be a banker!
Depending on what job you are applying for and which company you are applying to, you may need to translate them into Italian. If you aren’t that confident and want to avoid any mistakes, hire a pro to translate it for you!

#2 Prep before your interview

Before your interview, research the company, its history, the industry etc. and get to know them on a deeper level. If you have an interview with an English school, do a little bit of research about the teaching method they use and what age groups they teach.
If you can reference something you’ve read, it’ll be sure to impress!
Remember that you should read and re-read the job ad to make sure that you know exactly what you’re applying for and that you fit the profile.

#3 Dress to Impress

Italy is widely regarded as the fashion capital of Europe so it’s no surprise that how you dress is really important.
You should head on to the company’s website, Facebook or even Instagram and look to see what the company’s style is, how formal they are, what their employees wear etc. For your interview, it’s always a good idea to be more formal!
If you’re a fan of make-up, try to go for a more natural look and don’t be too heavy-handed. Italians prefer it!

#4 Be confident

If you want to make a good impression, confidence is key! Shake hands firmly and don’t be afraid to maintain eye contact – it will give you more presence.
Confidence is especially important for foreigners who are applying for jobs in Italian workplaces as employers want to know that you’ll be able to settle in and hold your own in the office.
During your interview, it’s important to answer all questions confidently even if you aren’t sure if it’s the answer they’re looking for.

#5 Be honest about your Italian skills

As appealing as you want to be to employers, don’t lie about or exaggerate your level of Italian.
If you lie about your language skills and you’re hired, you risk being found out! It’s not a situation anyone wants to deal with so be honest and embrace your weaknesses!
Just remember even if you have to admit that you’re not as fluent as you’d like, emphasise that you are learning and excited to improve.

#6 Keep it formal and professional

The level of formality really depends on the company you’re applying to. More young, international companies, that favour a laid-back, informal approach, are flooding into Italy but there are still some old-fashioned Italian companies that place a lot of emphasise on formality. So, do some research and see who you’re dealing with.
If your interview is in Italian, don’t forget to use the ‘Lei’ form instead of ‘tu’. It’s respectful and will show that you know your Italian grammar!
In different countries, interviews can sometimes branch into other topics that aren’t strictly work related like hobbies, travel etc. In Italy, this really isn’t the case so try to stick to your professional experiences and leave the hobbies until you get the job!

#7 Be punctual!

This may seem a little bit obvious but it’s important to remember to be on time if not early! Italians might be notorious latecomers, but you should ensure that you make a great first impression and get there with time to spare.
Try to arrive ten minutes early and take that time to relax and calm down before your interview starts – nothing’s worse than running into an interview late!

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Richard

Richard is the founder of Cribmed. He was born and grew up in New Zealand. In his twenties, he traveled and backpacked extensively before finally settling down in Rome, Italy in 2011.