As a senior business manager, after hiring well over a hundred people personally in my career and interviewing hundreds more, these are my simple 8 top tips for What to Do in an Interview to win over your Interviewer.
1 – Be Confident
Coming in with confidence helps confirm they have the right candidate. How do you exude confidence? It’s not always easy, and there are shelves full of books on the subject, not to mention an internet full of videos, online courses, coaches and mentors, telling you how to and what/what not to do. But the simplest, easiest way to create a great impression is to…
2 – Smile
Yes, really. If this isn’t already a habit, you can practice. Start in front of a mirror if you have to, and ask a trusted friend if you can practice on them. They key word here is: Genuine. You don’t want them thinking you’re some kind of odd-ball by wearing a stiff, forced grin.
3 – A Firm Handshake
Again, something you can easily practice. Be appropriate. Not too long or too short. Not too strong – if you crush someone’s hand they’re not going to be impressed.
4 – Listen Carefully
Interviewers are busy and don’t like to repeat themselves. It suggests you’re not paying attention, and exhibiting a lack of attention is going to shift you to the rejection pile quicker than just about anything else.
5 – Answer the Question they asked
…not the one in your head! Listen very carefully to the questions and answer them. Don’t ramble or answer a different question; be brief. Use the STAR(R) method (click here if you’d like to find out more about the STAR(R) method) and check back with the interviewer that you provided what they were looking for: “…did that answer your question or was there anything else you’d like me to clarify?”
6 – Speak Clearly
Being able to communicate effectively is an essential employability skill. Clear speech comes from thinking about what you want to say and delivering your message at a suitable pace. In high pressure situations, such as interviews, there is a tendency to tense up and speak fast. Again, remember to Smile. Relax your face. Take a breath, then speak, making good eye contact with your audience (the interviewers). You’ll make a connection with them, as well as be immediately able to tell whether they are getting the message or not. Again, you can practice this with a trusted friend. If this is a problem for you, read quality literature or broadsheet newspapers: you’ll absorb structure, vocabulary and grammar without even realising it.
7 – Prepare your questions
Have some questions ready that demonstrate you prepared well for the interview. They should be related and not easily answered by a quick Google search. You want to show your interest. You might ask what their culture is like, what an average day might look like in the role, or what your interviewer personally likes like about working for that company. Also look into their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities to see how they contribute back to society.
8 – Remember, they’re on your side
The interviewer is looking for a reason to hire you. Interviewers are busy people too. They’re usually taking time out from their already busy work day to find someone to add to their team, so they are looking for reasons to hire, rather than reasons NOT to hire. Keep this in mind and you’ll help them to confirm their suspicions for offering your an interview – that you’re the right person to hire!
Also…
Find out Why Interviews are Really a Two Way Street and What to Wear and What NOT to Wear to an Interview (coming soon)
© Make Life Exceptional 2016. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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