How to improve your job interviewing skills

Jan 16, 2023 | Employment Agencies

improve your job interviewing skills, here’s how!

Preparing for an interview might seem intimidating or nerve-racking, but there are several steps you can take to prepare yourself for a successful interview. In this article, we listed some tips for improving your job interview skills:

  1. Research the company and the role: Showing that you have a good understanding of the company and the role you are applying for can impress the interviewer and demonstrate your interest in the position.
  2. Review the job description: Carefully review the job description and make a list of the skills and experiences that are required for the role. Think about specific examples from your past that demonstrate your fit for the position.
  3. Practice your answers: Anticipate common interview questions and practice your answers beforehand. This can help you feel more confident and prepared during the actual interview.
  4. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer: Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer about the company or the role. This will show that you are interested in the opportunity and have done your research.
  5. Review your resume: Review your resume before the interview and be prepared to discuss your experience and accomplishments in detail.
  6. Dress appropriately: Make sure to dress in a way that is professional and appropriate for the company culture.
  7. Be punctual: Arriving on time shows the interviewer that you are reliable and respect their time.
  8. Focus on your body language: Pay attention to your nonverbal communication, including your eye contact, posture, and hand gestures.
  9. Show enthusiasm: Demonstrate your interest in the role and the company by asking thoughtful questions and expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity.
  10. Follow up: After the interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewer to show your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position.

Practice makes perfect

Practicing for an interview can help you feel more confident and prepared, which can increase your chances of getting the job. Here are some tips on how to practice for an interview:

  1. Research common interview questions: Look up common interview questions for the type of job you are applying for, and practice answering them. Go over potential questions and consider different ways to answer them.
  2. Practice your responses: Practice answering the questions out loud, either alone or with a friend or family member. This will help you get used to speaking in a professional setting and will also help you fine-tune your responses.
  3. Be prepared to talk about your qualifications: Be ready to discuss your skills, experience, and qualifications in a clear and concise manner. Think about specific, concrete examples of how you have applied these qualifications in previous positions or projects.
  4. Rehearse your body language: Pay attention to your body language, eye contact, facial expressions, and posture. Practice maintaining good posture and making good eye contact during your practice sessions.
  5. Record yourself: Record yourself answering the questions, and then watch the recording to evaluate your performance. Pay attention to your tone of voice, pace, and any nervous habits you may have.
  6. Practice in a similar environment: If possible, try to practice your interview in a similar environment to where the real interview will take place. This will help you become more familiar with the surroundings and reduce any potential stress.
  7. Seek feedback: Get feedback from friends, family members or professionals on your answers and overall performance, it can be very helpful to have an outsider’s perspective.
  8. Be yourself: Don’t try to be someone else or you can come across as artificial. Be honest and be yourself, but at the same time, remember the purpose of the interview is to showcase your best self.

Remember that the more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will feel during the actual interview. Make sure to give yourself enough time to practice and prepare before an interview. Remember that the more interviews you attend, the more likely you are to get better at them, which makes it easier to deal with all the associated stress. Don’t be afraid of failing an interview, as you can always learn from them and improve your next one.

When faced with difficult questions

Even when you are already prepared, sometimes the interview might not go as you expected and a difficult question or two might pop up. When that happens, the first thing you should do is to take a moment to think before answering. Remember that it’s okay to take a few seconds to gather your thoughts and compose a thoughtful response, and your interviewer wouldn’t think too much of it.

Other than that, always remember to be honest and transparent. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s better to admit it and explain how you would go about finding the answer, rather than making something up and risk embarrassing yourself.

Another good tool to use when faced with a difficult question is to use specific examples to support your answers. When discussing your qualifications or experiences, provide concrete examples to demonstrate your skills and abilities. Combine that with a positive and confident tone. Your tone of voice and body language can make a big difference in how you’re perceived, so make sure to speak and sit up straight, make eye contact and keep a positive attitude.

If all else fails, you can re-frame the question. If you’re asked a question that makes you uncomfortable or that you’re not sure how to answer, try to rephrase the question in a way that allows you to provide a more favorable response. Also be prepared for illegal questions, and learn how to address them. Some questions are not allowed by the law to be asked, like about your age, religion, and marital status, if you encounter them you can redirect the conversation and back to your qualifications and experience that is relevant to the position.

Lastly, remember your practice. When you’ve rehearsed common interview questions ahead of time, you’ll be more comfortable and confident during the interview, and will be better prepared to respond to difficult questions.

Remember that an interview is a conversation, and that the interviewer wants to get to know you and learn about your qualifications. So, be honest, be yourself, and try to relax and enjoy the process.

For more helpful tips and tricks and or general advice contact the team at Gateway Synergy Recruitment, or visit Careers ⋆ Gateway Synergy Recruitment

or visit our Gateway Synergy Recruitment Blog for more helpful articles Get the Latest Recruitment News at Gateway Synergy Recruitment Blog

Remember! Your CV & LinkedIn are the first impression a recruiter or hiring manager has of you, make it count!