Mind Your Body Language
Are you slumped in the chair? Fidgeting? Avoiding eye contact? These no-nos can make you appear unfocused, uninterested in the job, or unsure of yourself. Maintain good posture, make eye contact when you shake hands, and sit in a position that radiates engagement with the conversation. Here are body language tips to follow during your next interview.
Shake It Like You Mean It
No fingers-only handshakes, ladies! The proper, professional way to shake is using the entire hand, extending your arm for a firm, but not overbearing grip, while rolling the index finger around the bottom of the other persons hand. The fold between your index finger and thumb should touch the other persons.
If this doesnt come naturally, practice with a friend before your interview.
How To Sell Yourself During A Job Interview
What does it mean to perform well during an interview? Well, youll need to show that you have the right background and experience, as well as being a good match for the role and the companys culture.
Think of this as an amped-up, in-person version of the same work you did on the job application to obtain an interview.
But you’ll need to do more than check off the boxes on your interviewer’s listyou want the person you speak with to feel excited about making an offer. That means selling yourself to interviewers, to make it clear that youre a strong candidate. Sound overwhelming? Heres how to get started.
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Always Quantify Your Achievements
Metrics sell, says Cole, which is why its important to use hard numbers when describing your accomplishments. So, instead of saying, I led a successful project, say, The project I led reduced costs by 35%, shaved four days off from start to finish, and landed us seven huge new clients in the first 10 days, Cole recommends.
Also, avoid using empty clichés, like saying that youre a team player or hard worker. Instead, back up your claims with relevant stories that show how youve applied your skills in the past.
Do Not Break Character
In theater or acting, tutors instruct their students to stay in character.
What this means is that, whatever role you are acting, you have to be in that role even if you are no longer rehearsing or on stage so that it becomes part of you.
For you as a candidate, maintain your attitude till you leave the companys premises.
Do not take off your jacket or tie immediately the interview is over.
You can do that when you are totally out of the premises of the company.
If you are able to abide by these few points you will be just fine.
This leads us to the last point that I close with Stay Positive!
It is only a positive attitude that will get you there.
Even if the interview did not go well, thank the interviewer then leave with your head raised high.
Goodluck!
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Tips For Acing An Online Job Interview
COVID-19 has impacted a lot of thingsincluding how we restrict face-to-face interactions. Many interviews are now taking place virtually, especially in the early stages of the talent search.
In recent years, online job interviews have become more popular and many companies, including Hilton, are regularly using technology to conduct preliminary interviews. During the pandemic, job interviews for nearly every stage of the hiring process became the norm.
While online interviews are similar to traditional, in-person meetings, they have some major differences that candidates should be prepared for.
Common Mistakes During A Phone Interview
- Not charging your phone. If you are planning to use a mobile phone for your interview, be sure to charge it on the day of the interview. Having a fully charged phone can help you feel at ease and also ensures a productive interview.
- Forgetting the interview. It is important that you add the interview schedule to your calendar so you can remember it and prepare for that specific date and time. This can also help you allot time ahead of the interview to mentally prepare.
- Answering the phone poorly. Your opening phrases, such as ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon,’ should be enthusiastic, engaging and outgoing. Strive to impress the interviewer at all stages of your conversation.
- Lack of proper considerations when arranging an interview. Some candidates tend to arrange their interviews without ensuring that they’ll be in a suitable location to take the interview calls. When organizing your phone interview, plan where you will be at the time of the interview. This will ensure you can answer your interview call in a quiet and distract-free location.
- Use of slang. Refrain from using colloquialisms during a phone interview such as ‘at the end of the day’ or ‘draw the line.’ Although your interviewer may understand these references, using more formal, professional language can help you stand out.
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Prepare Your Own Questions
Just like a limp handshake, a one-sided interview is no fun! The hiring team wants to hear your questions and see that youre actively engaged and interested in learning more about the organization and position.
- When you research the organization and position, write down any outstanding questions that you may have to bring along to your interview.
- Get more details on the context and history of the particular position for which you’re interviewing. Why are they hiring? How is the position managed? What does the rest of the hiring process look like? Just be sure that you’re not asking anything that is already clearly stated on the job description or the organization website.
- Plan to ask the most important questionslike how does the open position help the organization fulfill its missionas early as possible during the interview. And during the proceeding rounds of the interview process, avoid asking questions that cast doubt on your understanding of the position.
Consider What The Interviewer Wants To Know
Attempt to think of this question from the interviewer’s point of view to help you craft a response. Interviewers are primarily listening to see if you have the experience to do the job, have the ability to learn, and would be a good fit for the work group and organization. This is why focusing on work-related accomplishments and being yourself is essential.
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Acknowledge That Youre Listening
Look them in the eyes. Nod. Smile. Raise your eyebrows. Tilt your head. Lean in.
When were gazing off into the distance, staring at our notebooks, or looking at another person in the room, the person whos talking just might get the impression that we arent listening. And if we arent listening, why are they wasting their time?
I use non-verbal cues to show people that Im engaged and focused. I dont want my words to interrupt theirs, so I keep verbal acknowledgements to a minimum until theyre finished: Interesting.Cool.Oh wow. They want to go on.
When Im conducting the interview, I have someone else taking notes so that Im free to participate in the conversation fluidly. I am present. There is no doubt in the interviewees mind that I am listening to every word they say because I am and Im showing it.
Don’t Give Too Many Personal Details
Though it’s OK to share some personal details about yourself, it’s also important that you use good judgment and proceed with caution in your Tell me about yourself answer. In most scenarios, you’ll want to steer clear of discussing sensitive topics like family, religious beliefs, and politics. These tend to raise red flags or stir up heated debates that are best to avoid. Whether we like it or not, people have biases, and you don’t want to be judged or lose a position because someone is concerned about your “personal” affairs or beliefs.
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Listen Actively And Intentionally
While you want the conversation to flow somewhat naturally, an interview isnt a typical back-and-forth conversation. Your main job in the interview is to listen.
A reasonable benchmark as the interviewer is to aim for the 80/20 rule: 80% listening and 20% talking.
Actively listen for the specific qualities and skills you identified as crucial to the role in advance. And listen for potentialyou may discover motivations or hidden nuggets that didnt show up on their resume.
Questions For An Interview With Yourself
Today Im going to interview somebody really special on my blog. And that would be you. Exactly, you, the one whos looking at the screen right now. You are a very important person and its an honor for me to interview you. I prepared a list of 33 questions and Im really looking forward to hear your answers.
Yes, this is an interview. With you. Why? Because youre important, thats why.
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Stressed During The Interview Try This Breathing Technique
If you start to feel anxious or overwhelmed before or during the interview, turn your attention to your breath, consciously slowing and deepening it. Keep in mind that you need to exhale slowly, as well as inhale slowly. Controlling your breathing in this way can help you quickly return to a more relaxed stateeven when faced with challenging questionsand remain focused and engaged.
How To Behave In An Interview
Burhan Khadbai gets an exclusive guide from leading etiquette expert and Manchester graduate William Hanson
If you’ve got yourself an interview with a leading graduate recruiter, it’s not enough to have a sparkling CV and all the key facts about the company and the role you’re applying for at your fingertips. You’ll also need to know how to conduct yourself correctly to ensure you make a good impression. Step forward William Hanson.
Just 22 years old, William is widely regarded as the UK’s youngest authority on etiquette, which can be defined as the principles of good manners and accepted protocol. William’s interest in etiquette began when, as a young teenager, he was given a copy of Debrett’s Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners by his grandmother. His interest in and knowledge of the topic grew, and since graduating last year he now works full time as an etiquette consultant. He’s advised some of Britain’s leading brands, from easyGroup to Fox’s Biscuits, and regularly appears in the British and international media as an etiquette expert and commentator on modern behaviour.
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Interviewing Techniques Tip : Ask Questions During The Interview
Being prepared and asking great questions about the position and the employer shows your interest during the interview. You cant just be an effective responder. You need to assert yourself, too. By the time you reach the interviewing stage, you should be clear about what you want and what you offer to the company.
Try to be thoughtful and self-reflective in both your interview questions and your answers. Show the interviewee you know yourselfyour strengths and your weaknesses. Be prepared to talk about which areas would present challenges and how you would address them. Admitting true areas of weakness is much more convincing than claiming: I have what you need and I can do anything I put my mind to.
Questions to ask potential employers in job interviews
- The people who do well at your company: what skills and attributes do they usually have?
- What do you like best about working at _____?
- What results are expected?
- What specific problems are you hoping to solve during the first six months?
- Who are the key internal customers? Any special issues with them?
- What happened to the person who had this job before?
- What communication style do you prefer?
- What is your philosophy regarding on-the-job growth and development?
- What are your goals for the department?
How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself During An Interview
Dont let this common interview question trip you up.
Whether you’re new to the workforce or have over 20 years of experience, “Tell me a little about yourself” is likely to be the first request asked of you in an interview. This is in part because it can be a nice icebreaker to get the interview started. It also provides the interviewer with a starting point that can allow for follow-up questions.
Regardless of why you’re being asked to spill the beans about who you are, you’re in the spotlight and need to be prepared to answer “Tell me about yourself” the “right” way to stand out among your competition. This is especially true when you consider that though the average interview length is 40 minutes, reports have shown that the interviewer knows if they will hire a candidate within the first 90 seconds. With that said, consider the following tips to prepare for being asked to “tell me about yourself” during a job interview.
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Discuss The Job Opportunity And The Structure Of The Interview
Once introductions are complete, its time to get down to why the candidate is here in the first place. This part of the interview will spotlight the actual job, duties, and reporting structure. If the role is a contract or a temporary role, you might talk about potential ways a candidate can move into a more full time role. Following a discussion about the job, give the candidate an idea of the interview format. Mention the type of questions, whether behavioural or technical-based. This portion should also include talking about the length of the interview, and what, if any assessments a candidate should expect.
Value Of An Informational Interview
Informational interviews are your chance to speak with people who are currently working in your field of interest. Informational interviews are designed to help you gather information about a particular occupation or career, not obtain a job. It is an interview that you initiate and lead. You ask the questions.
Benefits of an informational interview:
- Explore careers and clarify your career goals
- Obtain information about your career field and the skills needed to do that job effectively
- Discover future internship or employment opportunities
- Broaden your professional network
- Build confidence as you choose a career path
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How To Conduct Yourself During A Virtual Interview
Poll survey results by Gartner exhibit the fact that in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 85% of organizations are conducting virtual interviews. Telecommuting seems the way forward for the world to function. Hiring for remote working opportunities is on a steep rise. Moreover, hiring through virtual interviews seems the new normal as well. We are dwelling in an era propelled by artificial intelligence and stellar technological innovations. Most of the job interviews you give in the future may be virtual.
Now comes the real question: How can you professionally conduct yourself during a remote interview? This blog has all the answers that you need to crack your imminent interview.
Six Steps Of Informational Interviewing
Research Career Fields
- Do some initial research on the career field or employer using internet and print resources.
Identify people to interview
- Pursue your own contacts. People you already know, even if they aren’t in fields of interest to you, can lead you to people who are. This includes family, friends, teaching assistants, professors and former employers.
- Identify Cal alumni to contact they often take a special interest in “giving back” to Cal students. Utilize the Berkeley Career Network and to find them.
- Review the Book of Lists, a directory of leading employers in major urban areas, available at the Thomas J. Long Business Library.
Real-Life Example: Finding a Person to InterviewLucy had become interested in marketing but wasn’t sure how to find people in the field to talk to. She had worked as a clerk/typist in the payroll office of University Extension for several years.
She mentioned her career interest to her supervisor, who pointed out that Extension had a marketing department and that she’d be happy to introduce her to the director. This “right in your own back yard” referral led to a great informational interview and lots of other contacts.
Prepare for the interview
Conduct the informational interview
Note: You can bring a resume, but dont take it out right away or your interviewee may think you are actually fishing for a job. At some point you may wish to ask for input about it, but first establish a comfortable rapport with the person.
Follow-up
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Ways To Describe Yourself In A Job Interview
4.2.2019
Ben Curran
Be sincere and authentic when describing yourself in a job interview. Practice your response but make sure it comes naturally and not sound rehearsed.
In just about every sales interview, the interviewer asks the question, How would you describe yourself? While this is something that should be anticipated and practiced, many job seekers overlook the importance of this question and fail to take the time to formulate the right answers.
Moreover, when describing ourselves, we should approach our answers in an honest, candid manner and even though some answers are laid out below, always ensure that you phrase these in our own words as authenticity is important.
Know The Industry The Company The Competitors And The Interviewer
Completing the research step ensures that you have fully researched the company, the industry, and the competition. Knowing how to interview well within the industry and company will help you get a second interview. You also might be able to research the interviewer using Google or . Having relevant background information might give you helpful hints on how to position yourself.
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