8 Tips About INTERVIEW SKILLS You Need To Know To Get Hired

Want to ace your next interview and land that job you’ve been seeking?

Interviewing is a skill in itself because you interact with the interviewer and articulate your thoughts to be able to get that job.

For you to impress the employer, you should prepare well for common interview questions. Remember, first impressions matter and there is no second chance to make a great first impression.

Even the most qualified and smartest job seekers need to prepare. Why? It is because interview skills are learned and despite you attending hundreds of interviews, job interviews never seem to get easier. You tend to meet new interviewers.

Which interview tips then, do you need to have for you to get hired?

1. Interview Preparation

Lack of preparation makes the interviewer know that you didn’t invest much time preparing. Take an hour to prepare as this will boost your confidence and impress the interviewer.

Here is a 60-minute preparation exercise:

Use 5 minutes to analyze the job description, and focus on the essential requirements and responsibilities for you to tailor answers to the job description.

5 minutes to go through your CV and cover letter.

15 minutes researching the potential interview questions that are related to the position and the industry.

20 minutes to practice answers to the questions and remember specific examples from your work experience for example major accomplishments, and challenges.

15 minutes researching more about the company.

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2. Don’t Appear Desperate

Avoid interview approaches that may make you look desperate for example using ‘please, please hire me” makes you less confident. Remember the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm, and confident.

3. Speak Cohesively, and Calmly

Being nervous is normal, so take a deep breath, slow down and speak calmly and clearly. Consult interview coaches to guide you and have prior practice to avoid interview stress.

4. Develop a Connection with the Interviewer

In addition to indicating what you know about the company, you should also try to develop a connection with your interviewer. Building rapport and making a personal connection with your interviewer increases your chances of getting that job. Employers tend to employ candidates who seem to be a good fit for the company’s culture.

5. Thinking Before You Speak

A well-thought-out answer is better than a rushed one. Take a few seconds to think before you speak.

6. Show Your Confidence

Promote yourself, your experience, and your accomplishments but don’t look arrogant or self-important no matter how good you are at your job.

7. Active Listening

Active listening is important. Interviews are tricky because you should listen to the interviewer’s question as you prepare your answers mentally. Failure to listen leads to failure to understand the questions.

Keep in the back of your mind that you will be a valuable asset for an employer.

8. Expressing Gratitude

Don’t underestimate the importance of saying “Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Thank the interviewers for their time and opportunity to learn more about the position.

Do a follow-up because interviewers may assume your silence as a sign of disinterest.

Surveys show that 80% of employers consider thank-you notes when deciding who to employ, and it is only 24% of candidates send them. So remember to join the list of those 24% of candidates who send a thank you note.

Finally,

If you have had bad interviews for the jobs for which you thought you would be a great fit, then don’t give up! Just go to the drawing board, know what you have been doing wrong and get ready to improve your interview performance.

Want to improve your interview skills and secure that job you have been looking for?

Book a mock interview coaching session and stand out from the pool of other applicants.