What do interview skills entail? Primarily, they encompass the same qualities that make you a valuable employee: effective communication, being punctual, having confidence, being organized, and displaying enthusiasm for the job. Possessing some sales talent wouldn't hurt either!
Let's begin with the fundamentals. Here are the essential interview abilities to prioritize and ensure that you demonstrate professionalism and expertise in your area of expertise.
1. Interview preparation
To achieve a successful interview, it is crucial to dedicate time to prepare. Improvising or relying on luck often leads to poor outcomes, and interviewers can easily detect a lack of preparation. Therefore, it is important to focus on the following preparation steps. Firstly, we recommend thoroughly reviewing the job description multiple times in order to confidently discuss the role and its associated requirements. Additionally, consider how your past experiences align with the desired skills, and think about ways to demonstrate this compatibility during the interview.
Take the time to thoroughly go through your resume and familiarize yourself with its content. Your resume has played a significant role in impressing the recruiter and bringing you to this stage. However, it is important to remember that the interviewer may not have thoroughly read or remembered it, so it would be beneficial to refresh their memory during the interview. To increase your chances of success, ensure that the information you stated in your resume aligns with what you communicate during the phone or video call, regardless of the platform used (Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, FaceTime, etc.).
We understand that maintaining eye contact during a video call can be challenging, but there are a few steps you can take to enhance the impression you create. Prior to your interview, ensure that your camera is positioned in a way that captures you facing the screen entirely and locate a background free of concert posters or silly images. If necessary, you can blur your background to eliminate distractions, though keep in mind that this may utilize your internet bandwidth.
In accordance with Forbes, the foreseeable future will witness a shift towards video interviews as a prominent career trend. As a result, the interview process is anticipated to consume more time compared to previous norms. Hiring entities are apprehensive about making decisions based on someone they have never met face-to-face, which may lead them to schedule a substantial number of interviews, ranging from three to eight, prior to finalizing their choice.
2. Know the company
Being prepared also involves familiarizing oneself with the company or organization they are interviewing with. It is impossible to provide a satisfactory answer to the question "Why do you want to work here?" if one has no knowledge about the company. It is important to understand the company's philosophy and their approach to business. This can be achieved by reaching out to someone who works in the company, or by exploring the company's website and LinkedIn profile for additional information. Additionally, conducting a Google search for news articles or manager interviews can also provide valuable insight. It is better to gather excessive information rather than being uninformed.
Take into consideration the practice of making a written record of the information you plan to discuss during your interview as it aids in memory retention. It can also be beneficial to have these notes available during the interview especially if you are concerned about feeling anxious. However, it is important to maintain a genuine conversation with the interviewer rather than solely focusing on your notes as if it were a test. Remember, they are just as much a human being as you are.
After completing all the necessary tasks, you will experience a sense of readiness, and that feeling of readiness signifies that you truly are prepared.
3. Speaking skills
A job interview is similar to an acting audition. Before the interview, it is important to consider and improve your speaking skills. Many people feel nervous during interviews, leading them to talk quickly, mumble, or speak too quietly. It is crucial to avoid these habits. Instead, take a deep breath and focus on speaking clearly and calmly. Remember, your interviewer should be able to hear every word you say easily. By speaking slowly and with confidence, your words will be better understood, and you will impress others with your self-assurance.
If you showcase your communication and listening skills during the interview, it will be much simpler for you to respond to soft skills interview questions or potentially avoid them altogether.
Eye contact holds equal significance as it establishes a connection with your interviewers and displays self-assurance. In case excessive eye contact brings about nervousness, consider focusing on the interviewer's eyebrows or chin, as it will still give the impression of maintaining eye contact. Additionally, to become accustomed to it, you can practice in front of a mirror or with a friend.
4. Think first, speak second
It is perfectly acceptable to have moments of silence to collect your thoughts before responding to a question. This will provide you with the opportunity to carefully construct a coherent answer and maintain composure.
If you are not naturally good at public speaking, that's perfectly fine, as it is rare for anyone to be. One helpful strategy is to practice in front of a mirror, even though it might feel strange. Trust us, it will eventually increase your confidence. Don't be too hard on yourself and simply be authentic, while maintaining a slightly more professional demeanor.
To assist you in expressing yourself, it is essential to consider your body language. Besides demonstrating confidence, lifting your spine and relaxing your shoulders aids in enhancing your breathing and projecting your voice effectively. Moreover, speaking eloquently showcases your communication abilities to potential employers. If you can effectively convey your message during a demanding job interview, it speaks volumes about your communication skills in the workplace.
5. Listening
It is crucial to demonstrate your ability to listen during your interview, as there will likely be multiple individuals present. Being a good listener goes beyond just being a skill for interviews; it shows your level of consideration and teamwork skills. Additionally, failing to practice effective listening may result in missing the essence of a question and providing a less-than-impressive response. To show respect to your interviewer, stay focused and maintain eye contact while nodding to indicate your understanding of the questions or comments being made.
By asking for further clarification, it demonstrates that you were attentive and prevents the awkwardness of a misinterpretation. Consider viewing the interview as a dialogue, recognizing that employers might be persuading you to join their company just as much as you are trying to impress them. Actively listening for essential details will enable you to refer back to the information in subsequent responses, ask relevant follow-up queries, and ultimately determine if the position aligns with your needs. Remember, your aim isn't simply to escape your current job and find any new job; you are seeking the ideal job for yourself.
6. Show interest, not desperation
Having a strong interest in a job and being desperate for a job are two different things. Desperation doesn't make a good impression on anyone. Your goal should be to demonstrate genuine interest in the job while highlighting your qualifications. Approach every interview as if it were for your dream job. It can be challenging when you truly need the job but remember that the best way to secure it is through a successful interview, rather than appealing to your potential employer's guilt.
The interviewer is seeking to hire the most suitable candidate, not the candidate who is in the most desperate situation. Therefore, as the person being interviewed, it is important for you to portray yourself as a highly qualified and professional individual with relevant work experience that aligns perfectly with the position. This is exactly what employers are searching for. Regardless of how much you may need the job, it is vital that you avoid pleading or begging, as it will only create an awkward and unprofessional atmosphere. Stay composed, calm, and collected during the interview, while demonstrating self-confidence through your body language and maintaining eye contact. This approach will ultimately be advantageous to you.
7. Show gratitude
Make sure you make a lasting impact as you leave.
After completing your interview, it is crucial to leave a strong impression. You want your interviewer to perceive you as a top candidate and consider hiring you. It is recommended to end the interview by smiling, expressing gratitude, and reaffirming your interest in the job if the opportunity arises naturally. This may increase your chances of being called back for a potential future interview. While your interview skills are essential, your attitude also plays a significant role.
However, there are still a few things left to do. It is important to acknowledge and show appreciation for your interviewer's effort in getting to know you and offering you this interview chance. A crucial skill to develop is the ability to follow up. Once the interview is over, send a thank-you email to demonstrate your continued interest in the job. It is not necessary to write something as lengthy as a cover letter, but mentioning a standout moment from the interview is recommended. This will help to keep you in the hiring manager's thoughts and remind them of your worth.
Interview skills wrap up
The majority of the skills required for your interview are also skills that will be necessary for the job itself. It is essential to keep in mind that your interview is like an audition, just as actors come prepared for auditions, you should also prepare for your interview. Utilize strong communication and listening abilities to showcase self-assurance and professionalism, effectively promoting yourself as the top candidate for the role.
