Job Interview Skills to Help You Get Hired

Job Interview Skills to Help You Get HiredJob Interview Skills to Help You Get HiredAcing an einstellungsgesprch is a science as much as it is an art, andit requires diligent preparation along with the ability to be at ease in the bewerbungsgesprch room. Its also thatyoube comfortable and confident in discussing why you are the best fit for a role. Interviewing is a skill in and of itself, onein which your ability to interact with the interviewer and toarticulate your thoughts are factorsthatarejust as important in getting the job as arethe qualifications listed on your resume. Here is a list of interview skills that willhelp you get hired. Interview Preparation Winging it is never worth it. Not only will your interviewer see right through it, but your answers (and your self-confidence) will seriously suffer if you neglect toproperly prepare. You should dedicate atleastan hour to your preparation. Heres a sample formula outlining a 60-minute preparation exercise 5 minutesre-readi ng andanalyzing the job description, focusing on the essential requirements and responsibilities, in order to tailor your answers andtohomeinonthe most important aspects of the job.5 minutesre-reading your resume and titelseite letter to review how you pitched yourself in the first place.15 minutesresearchingpotential interview questionsspecific to the position and the industry.20 minutespracticing answers to these questions and recalling specific examples from your work experience, such as major accomplishments, challenges, or milestones that will serve as anecdotes to strengthen your responses tosituationalandbehavioral-based interview questions. 15 minutes researching the company, looking into their history, mission and values, and recent projects. Indeed, practice makes perfect. In addition to practicing these steps on your own, ask a friend or family member to pose as an interviewer so you can get used to answering questions in real time. Be on Time There are very few (if a ny) excuses that will redeem a late arrival. Do whatever you need to do to get there ten to 15 minutes in advance of your interview time, whether itsplanning your outfitand packing your bag the night before, setting five alarms,asking a friend to give you a wake-up call, or leaving extra early to account for potential transportation obstacles. Think Before You Speak A well-thought-out answer is always better than a rushed one. Of course, you dont want to sit there in silence for five minutes as you ponder an answer, but itisacceptable to take several seconds to think before you speak. Avoid the ums and uhs and buy yourself time by repeating the interviewers questions back to them, or byusing a phrase like, Thats an interesting question or, I was actually just thinking about that when I read an article on a similar topic, and If youre really stumped,you can say, What a great question. Ive actually never been asked this before let me just take a second to think about this. Finally ,know what to do if you really cant answer a question. Speak Clearly, Cohesively, and Calmly Nerves can get you talking a mile a minute, and so can the simple desire to convey as much valuable information about yourself as possible. However, talking too fast can make you look rushed, flustered or anxious. Make a conscious effort toslow downand speak calmly and clearly. It willhelp you avoid interview stress. Be Confident, Not Arrogant Although you should be willing and able to promote yourself, your experience, and youraccomplishments, make koranvers you dont come across as arrogant, narcissistic, or self-important. No matter how good you are at your job, youre going to run into countless obstacles if you lack theemotional intelligenceto work on a team and get along with managers, co-workers, or clients. Focus on exuding a kind and balanced sense of confidence, and when you discuss your achievements, be sure to give credit where credit is due in order toshow that youre a tea m player. Actually Listen Anyone can nod, smile, and say Right or Exactly over and over, but how many peopleactuallylisten? Interviews are especially trickybecause you do need to be listening to your interviewers question while mentally preparing your answer. However, if you dont listen well in the first place, you might miss the entire point of the question, and as a result, your answer couldfall totally flat. Stay in the moment and dont let yourself zone out, even if it feels like the interviewer is endlessly blabbing on. Preparation will help tremendously (so thatyou have material ready to discuss and wont have to come up with it all on the spot), butgood listening skillsand the ability to stay focused are key. Express Optimism, BothWith Your Words and Your Body Language No company wants to hire someone with a schwimmschwimmbad attitude. No matter how difficult your situation is, dont bring any baggage into the interview room. That means dont bad-mouth your former employe r or any other companies youve been associated with,anddontcomplain about your personal circumstances. Be natural, expressing reasonable perspectives through a lens of optimism. For example, if you have to talk about a challenging situation, you should include a mention of how you may have helped solve it, and what you learned that made you a better employee. Remember,your body languagedoesmatteras much as your words. Walk in with a smile on your face, offer a firm handshake, and sit up tall at the table, leaning slightly forward to engage in the conversation. Show Interest, Without Desperation Sometimes, it can be helpful to think of an interview as a (professional) first date. An air of disinterest, apathy, or monotony will likely turn off an interviewer, as will overenthusiastic desperation. No matter how much you want or need the job, refrain from acting desperate pleading or begging has no place in a job interview. The key is to express earnest interest in the role and in t he company, and passion for the work you do. Keep in the back of your mind that you are a valuable asset as an employee. Know More Than Your Elevator Pitch Although you should be able to give anelevator pitchin which you introduce yourself, recap your experience, and promote your most valuable professional assets, make sure youre comfortable talking about yourself beyond that. Know how to discuss both yourstrengths and weaknesses, and emphasize yourbest qualities and greatest skills, while putting a positive spin on your areas of improvement. You should also be able to exert some level of control over the conversation. For example, if an interviewer tries to trip you up with atricky questionlike, Have you ever had a bad experience with an employer? or Tell me about a time a coworker was unhappy with you, you should be able to answer their question while bridging your response into a positive an idea or example that shows how you learned or grew from the situation. You should als o havequestions of your own to ask the interviewer. Express Gratitude Dont underestimate the importance of saying Thank you. As soon as your interview concludes, you should thank your interviewers for their time and for the opportunity to learn more about the position. When you get home, you should always follow up with athank-you email. Otherwise, the interviewer may take your silence as a sign that you arent really interested in the position. Key Takeaways Practice Makes Perfect Take time to practice your responses to the most frequently asked interview questions.Prepare in Advance Interviews are less stressful if you get ready ahead of time, and figure out what youre going to wear, and where you need to be.Follow-Up is Important Always follow-up after a job interview with an email or note thanking the interviewer for the time.