How to Improve Your Interviewing Skills
Are you struggling to nail your next job interview? Here are some tips to improve your interviewing skills:
Be a good listener
If you want to stand out from the crowd during an interview, become a better listener. This is a skill that employers value in employees. It will help you connect with people, understand their problems, and provide solutions to their problems. People don't want to be lectured to, but rather want to engage in conversations. Don't think that an elevator pitch will land you a job - they want to talk to you! Likewise, informational interviews won't help you either, unless you actively listen to them and ask questions.
To become a better listener, you must eliminate electronic distractions. Turn off all electronic devices before sitting down for a meeting. When you're distracted, you cannot focus on what's being said. Exercise can also help you listen better. Physical activity can calm your body and mind, preparing you to hear what others are saying. Using exercise to help you listen to others can improve your concentration and memory.
As you listen, be mindful of the speaker's pace. Do not interrupt him or her unless you know they're speaking fast. Interrupting will only frustrate the speaker and leave the impression that you're not interested in what they're saying. Likewise, you may want to add a few ideas of your own but don't make any demands or offer solutions. Rather, listen to the other person's point and respond respectfully.
Practice
Practice your answers, body language and other important aspects of the interview before the big day. Avoid the'short-cuts' and use positive body language to impress the interviewer. Keep eye contact and maintain a firm handshake. You can also practice in front of a mirror. Filming yourself is also an excellent way to practice. Whether you have a mock interview or are a candidate who would like to attend the real thing, it's always better to be prepared.
When practicing an interview, prepare answers for common questions. Practicing makes you more confident and familiar with the format of the interview. This way, you'll be able to anticipate the interviewer's needs and make educated guesses. Active listening goes beyond hearing the content and focuses on the speaker's feelings and intent. Practicing your answers before the real thing will ensure that you're confident and ready for the next interview.
If you aren't familiar with the job description, review your strengths and how you would present them to the employer. If you're not sure of how to sell yourself, you can also visualize yourself in the job description. You can practice the questions and body language with a trusted companion before the actual interview. If you're not sure how to answer questions in an interview, you can use FlexJobs career coaches. They can give you personalized help.
Preparation
If you have an upcoming interview, make sure you prepare well. You should know the questions and answers to the interview. You should also make a list of key skills, qualities, and experiences. Avoid stifling yawns while preparing. This only undermines your preparation. Make sure you're well-rested before the interview to better handle any nerves you may experience. Here are some techniques for improving your interview skills.
Conduct research about the company you're interviewing for. Find out what the company does and what they're looking for in a candidate. Use the information to prepare mock interview questions. If the company has a social media presence, look up their profile. You may even be able to conduct a discreet search within your professional network to learn more about the company. Having done your research will help you anticipate questions and establish rapport on the day.
Practice answering questions and directing the conversation. Good interviewers use their questions wisely to guide the talk. Avoid using leading questions or those with built-in responses. Double-negative interrogation also creates anxiety. Even the most skilled interviewers need to check their questioning techniques. Self-analysis can prevent poor techniques from becoming routine. Ideally, you should tape or video record yourself. You can also watch a movie or a television show while you're doing it.
Empathy
Empathy is a powerful tool in interviewing, and practice makes perfect. During an interview, you can ask your interviewees to describe an experience that resonates with them. In an empathy interview, you never assume the answer, but challenge the person to think deeply about their choice. To practice empathy, you must first acknowledge your own bias, and then work on correcting it. To practice empathy, ask questions neutrally without implying a correct answer.
Another key to practicing empathy is a genuine curiosity for other people's thoughts and feelings. Empathy makes you aware of the perspective of others, and it makes asking great questions a breeze. People often prefer open-ended questions because they give them control over how much they share. Additionally, empathy requires you to listen to the interviewer. It allows you to determine which answer is best for the job, and it shows you're connected to the company's culture.
In the interview process, your goal is to develop a sense of empathy for the person you're interviewing. People who are sympathetic and understanding will have an easier time making the right impressions and choosing the best candidate. If you can show empathy for your interviewee, they'll be more likely to hire you. The same goes for new employees. Empathy improves interviewing skills
Avoiding slang
In an interview, using slang words can leave an employer unimpressed. Slang words are incredibly casual and make a bad first impression, say experts on interviewing. In addition, they can make you seem unprepared and unprofessional. Whether you're interviewing for a corporate role or an entry-level position, avoid using slang words. A few simple suggestions include using proper grammar and pronunciation.
Avoid using 'umming' and 'ahhing.' These words may sound familiar, but they're actually signs that you're nervous. Avoid using slang and avoid making innuendo-filled answers. Also, don't use language that's rude or insulting to previous employers or co-workers. This goes for all aspects of your interview, including the questions.
'Hate' is another word to avoid. While this word may sound cute, it has an over-the-top tone of finality that can appear unprofessional and uncompromising. Additionally, the word makes you appear immature, which will make you seem unapproachable. If you want to be taken seriously, you'll need to make an effort to avoid using 'hate' during your interview.
Taking notes
There are several tips for taking notes during an interview that can improve your chances of being selected. One of the most important tips is to be as visible as possible. Using a laptop while in an interview is not an ideal idea, as the bulk of the laptop will be visible, which will diminish your rapport with the interviewer. Alternatively, you can use an actual paper notebook. However, if you're taking notes in person, you should focus on taking down as many points as possible.
Taking notes during an interview is not compulsory, but it can make it easier to remember important details and further questions. Taking notes will also demonstrate your detail-orientation and engagement. By taking notes during an interview, you'll make yourself appear more engaged in the conversation. This will help you get a more effective answer from the interviewer. Moreover, taking notes will help you formulate better questions. Taking notes during an interview can be a good idea only for critical things.
During an interview, take notes in a clear and concise way. Make sure not to quote someone verbatim, as this can lead to mistakes and misunderstandings. Rather than writing down the interviewee's words verbatim, paraphrase his or her words so that they don't sound like a misquote. In addition, don't write too much. Make sure you listen carefully and write down only the things that you think are important.
Keeping your arms and legs in control
Keep your arms and legs under control during an interview. Your arm and leg movements are often distracting and give off the impression of impatience and boredom to interviewers. To avoid giving a negative impression, stay seated and keep your arms and legs out of your lap. Sitting still also keeps your posture and attention on the interviewer. Your body language is important, so you want to be as professional as possible.
During the interview, make sure you are not fidgeting with your hands. You may feel like you need to grab hold of a piece of paper to jot down notes to your interviewer. Instead, try resting your hands on your legs or forming the shape of a church steeple. This will make your body relaxed and calm and help you focus on the questions. Also, remember to look people in the eye when you speak. Don't stare because this will make you seem shifty.
More Information: https://paramounttraining.com.au/interview-coaching