When you’re interviewing for a new job, the last thing you want is to come across as boring or uninteresting. But how can you make sure that doesn’t happen?
Here are some tips to help you shine during an interview:
1. Do your research.
An interviewer may ask what you know about the company. Don’t waste time applying for jobs you’re not qualified for or that don’t suit your interests. Focus on industries where there are more opportunities, and apply to all the positions within those industries.
2. Be ready to answer typical interview questions.
Think about the questions you are likely to be asked when interviewing for this job – what industry and role are you applying for? Then, prepare your answers so you’ll be able to answer the interviewer’s questions quickly and fluidly.
3. Make sure you are dressed professionally for your interview.
It’s generally better to wear business or “interview clothes” for interviews. However, if you are interviewing for a job in the food service industry it may be acceptable to dress more casually.
4. Always bring a copy of your resume to interviews.
Whenever you go for an interview, bring a copy of your resume. This will save you time if there is a second interviewer or if the resume was lost by the interviewer.
5. Use body language to convey the right impression during interviews.
Body language is always a huge part of an interview, no matter what role you’re interviewing for. You want to make sure that the employer gets the message that you are ready, willing, and able to do your job. Looking confident, composed, and professional can have a huge impact on how successful an interview goes.
According to anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell, who made the first systematic study of nonverbal communication called “kinesics”, verbal communication accounts for less than 35% of face-to-face conversation. More than 65% of communication is nonverbal—you can say more with your body (facial expressions, movement) than you can with words.
Here are some tips for how to show off your body language during an interview:
1. Stand up straight! Don’t slouch or lean back in your chair.
2. Keep your shoulders back and your chest out so that your posture is taut. This helps project confidence, power, and strength.
3. Don’t cross your arms—it can look defensive or closed off. Instead, keep them at your sides but relaxed so they don’t get in the way of what you’re saying or do anything else distracting.
4. Don’t fidget! No matter how nervous you may feel about an interview, don’t let this translate into nervous behavior like tapping your foot or making smacking sounds with your lips against each other (that’s called “wolfing”). Instead, just
stop moving altogether!
5. Stand up straight! Don’t slouch or lean back in your chair.
6. Keep your shoulders back and your chest out so that your posture is taut. This helps project confidence, power, and strength.
7. Don’t cross your arms—it can look defensive or closed off. Instead, keep them at your sides but relaxed so they don’t get in the way of what you’re saying or do
anything else distracting.
8. Don’t fidget! No matter how nervous you may feel about an interview, don’t let this translate into nervous behavior like tapping your foot or making smacking sounds with your lips against each other (that’s called “wolfing”). Instead, just stop moving altogether!
You should prepare for the interview as though it were a job in itself: research the company and its products, investigate who will be interviewing you (and what they do there), rehearse your answers to likely questions—in short, make sure that when anyone asks you how you feel about doing this particular kind of work or why he/she should hire someone with no prior experience, your answer is well thought out.
What has been your go-to preparation when going for interviews? Share with us in the comments section!
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/books/chapters/0924-1st-peas.html by By
ALLAN and BARBARA PEASE, Sept. 24, 2006