Job interviews are arguably some of the most important meetings you
will ever have in your life. The outcome of an interview can greatly
affect your career trajectory, whether it means you continue along your
planned path or start a new one to find a more fulfilling occupation.
Regardless of the position you're trying to get, it's important to
thoroughly prepare for the interview. In addition to knowing why you're a
good fit for the job, brushing up on basic interview skills is always a
good idea. Hiring experts shared five of the most important skills to
focus on if you want to get hired.
Clarifying Interview Questions
Most people are afraid to ask an interviewer to clarify his or her question, said Sara Sutton Fell, CEO of job listing website FlexJobs.
You might worry that the interviewer will think you weren't paying
attention, but ensuring that you thoroughly understand the question can
really help you give a thoughtful, relevant response. [50 Job Interview Questions You Should Be Ready For]
"Try to paraphrase the question and say, 'Is this what you're asking?'" she said.
Thinking Out Loud
One mistake that many interviewees make is stalling when they don't
have an answer ready, or responding with "I don't know." Shon Burton,
CEO of recruitment tool HiringSolved, said that thinking aloud is a good tactic to combat this problem.
"The best approach is to have humble confidence," Burton said.
"Repeat the interviewer's question, and work through your thought
process out loud. The interviewer may give you a hint if you're actively
thinking instead of stalling."
Communicating Nonverbally
When you go to an interview, do you find yourself fidgeting and
staring at the floor or table when you answer questions? If so, you
might be blowing your chances of getting the job, even if you're
perfectly qualified.
"Good nonverbal communication speaks volumes about a candidate," said Jonna Myers, coordinator of career services at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. "It's something most people don't practice, but it makes it very evident when you're nervous."
Myers recommended conducting mock interviews with a friend or in
front of a mirror to practice your eye contact, posture and other
body-language indicators that convey confidence. Bill Peppler, managing
partner of staffing firm Kavaliro, added that a firm handshake and eye contact go a long way during an interview.
Knowing Your Own Resume
This may seem obvious, but knowing your own resume
inside and out is crucial to interview success. If, like many job
seekers today, you've tailored your resume to suit this specific company
or position, make sure you take the time to memorize that specific
version so you're prepared to answer any and all questions the employer
may have about it.
"If they ask you about something from eight years ago, you should know it; you wrote it," Burton said.
Leveraging Knowledge of the Company and Interviewer
Every job seeker has been told to thoroughly research the company and
position he or she is interviewing for, but it's just as important to
know how to use that information to your advantage. Myers recommended
researching not only the job description and organization, but the
community in which it's located.
"It's very impressive when a candidate can talk about why he or she
is a good fit for the position, as well as things that are going on in
the company's community," she said.
Burton added that using
LinkedIn
to research the hiring manager and anyone else you might be speaking to
before the interview can give you an understanding of each person's
background and potentially some common ground to spark a discussion.
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