Job interviewing skills are a combination of preparation, communication, and self-awareness.
Mastering these skills can significantly increase your chances of a successful interview.
Here’s a breakdown of key areas to focus on:
1. Preparation and Research
- Know the company and the role: Thoroughly research the company’s mission, products/services, and recent news. Study the job description and identify the key skills and responsibilities the employer is seeking. This allows you to tailor your answers and show genuine interest.
- Self-evaluate: Reflect on your own experiences, accomplishments, and skills. Be ready to articulate how your background aligns with the position’s requirements. Consider your career goals, strengths, and areas for improvement.
- Anticipate questions: Practice answering common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Prepare specific examples from your past to back up your claims. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a highly effective way to structure your answers, especially for behavioral questions.
- Plan the logistics: For an in-person interview, know the exact location and time, and plan your route. For a virtual interview, ensure you have a quiet, distraction-free space with a clean background and a stable internet connection.
2. Communication and Presentation
- First impressions: Dress professionally and arrive on time (or a few minutes early). Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake (if in-person), a warm smile, and maintain good eye contact.
- Verbal communication: Speak clearly and with confidence. Avoid mumbling or using filler words like “um” and “uh.” Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions, and don’t be afraid to take a moment to think before answering. If you need clarification, politely ask the interviewer to restate or rephrase the question.
- Nonverbal communication: Be aware of your body language. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and use hand gestures to convey enthusiasm. A smile can go a long way in showing confidence.
- Be positive and truthful: Never bad-mouth a previous employer or coworker. Find a way to spin negative experiences into positive ones, focusing on what you learned. Always be truthful about your skills and experiences; lying can be easily exposed.
- Ask thoughtful questions: Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview. This demonstrates your engagement and interest in the company and the role. Good questions can be about the company culture, the team, or the next steps in the process.
3. Follow-up
- Send a thank-you note: Within 24 hours of the interview, send a thank-you note or email to your interviewer(s). Reiterate your appreciation for their time, express your continued interest in the position, and briefly mention a key point from your conversation to refresh their memory. This final step can make a lasting positive impression.
The STAR Method in Detail
The STAR method is a structured way to answer behavioral questions, which often start with phrases like, “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give an example of a time you…”
S – Situation: Briefly describe the situation or context you were in. Set the scene and provide a clear background. For example, “When I was a project manager, we were facing a tight deadline on a major client project.”
T – Task: Explain your specific role and responsibilities in that situation. What was your goal or objective? “My task was to lead the team to complete all deliverables on time, despite a major setback with a key team member leaving.”
A – Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation and complete the task. This is the most crucial part of your answer. Be specific and use “I” statements. “I reorganized the remaining tasks, redistributed the workload among the team, and scheduled daily stand-up meetings to ensure we stayed on track.”
R – Result: Describe the positive outcome of your actions. What was the result? Quantify it whenever possible. “As a result, we not only met the deadline but also received excellent feedback from the client, leading to a renewal of our contract.”
Handling Difficult Questions
Sometimes interviewers will ask challenging questions to see how you think under pressure.
“What is your biggest weakness?”: Don’t say you don’t have any weaknesses. Instead, choose a genuine, non-critical weakness and explain the steps you’re taking to improve. For example, “I used to struggle with public speaking, so I enrolled in a local public speaking course to become more confident and effective.”
“Why was there a gap in your employment?”: Be honest and confident. Explain the reason for the gap, whether it was for family, travel, or personal development. Frame it positively and talk about what you learned or accomplished during that time.
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”: Show that you have career ambitions that align with the company’s growth. Avoid saying, “I want your job.” Instead, focus on professional growth and contributions. For example, “In five years, I hope to have become a subject matter expert in this role and to be contributing to new projects that are important to the company’s mission.”
Tips for Specific Interview Formats
Video Interviews: Test your technology beforehand, including your camera, microphone, and internet connection. Ensure you have good lighting and a clean, professional background. Look directly into the camera lens to simulate eye contact.
Phone Interviews: Pay close attention to your tone of voice, as this is your only tool for conveying personality. Smile while you talk—it genuinely changes the sound of your voice. Take notes and have a copy of your resume in front of you.
Group Interviews: Listen actively to others and contribute thoughtfully. Don’t interrupt or dominate the conversation. Show that you can be a collaborative team member by building on others’ ideas and sharing the spotlight.