Let’s talk about how to improve interview skills. If you want to land the job of your dreams, you have to first make it past the interview. This is the stage of the hiring process where an employer gets the opportunity to assess your background, skill, personality, and cultural fit. Not many candidates make it past this round — here are 10 recommendations for how to make sure you’re the one who does.
1. Consider Conducting an Informational Interview
Wondering how to improve interview skills? Do your research beforehand. Use LinkedIn to reach out to someone who works at the company and ask for an informational interview. Find out about the employee’s background, the culture of the company, the traits the company looks for in candidates, and what you can do to stand out.
2. Prepare Mock Questions Based on the Job Description
Read the job description thoroughly to understand what skills and qualities the company is looking for and the responsibilities of the role. Prepare a list of questions you may be asked about how these skills and traits align with your professional background.
3. Review Your Past Experiences and Think Critically About Red Flags
You should know every detail on your resume without having to look at it. Ensure you can provide context for every task, project, or accomplishment listed. Make a note of what the interviewer may consider a red flag (such as an employment gap), and prepare to be honest about it while discussing how it positively impacted your career.
4. Offer a Firm Handshake and Maintain Eye Contact
Keep your body language confident and enthusiastic. Communicate to the interviewer that you believe in yourself and your abilities and that you are the right candidate for the job.
5. Pause Before Answering Questions
It’s okay to think about your answers before you give them. Feel free to tell the interviewer that you would like to consider your response. This can work in your favor, showing the interviewer that you know how to think critically when faced with a challenge.
6. Take Mental Notes on the Interviewer’s Responses and Use That Information to Your Advantage
Listen to how the interviewer responds to your questions. If they tend to keep asking for more information, adjust your future responses to include more details so they don’t feel you’re being vague with your answers.
7. Use Concrete Examples in Your Answers
So much of learning how to improve interview skills is figuring out how to answer questions well. Give details about how you have handled specific situations in the past using the STAR method: describe the situation, explain the task at hand, tell what actions you took to handle it, and share the results of those actions.
8. Close Each Answer on a Positive Note
Always position yourself in a positive light, even when discussing failures or red flags. State what you learned from negative situations and how you will do better in the future.
9. Prepare Three Thoughtful Questions Based on Research
Most interviewers provide an opportunity for you to ask questions at the end. These questions can encompass anything from professional development opportunities to company culture and should show the interviewer that you have researched the role and the company and thought carefully about your candidacy.
10. Follow Up With a Note of Gratitude After the Interview
Send a thank-you note within 24 hours after your interview to reiterate your interest and restate why you’re a great fit for the role. Include any additional documentation your interviewer may have requested from you.
How to Improve Interview Skills – It’s Well Worth the Effort
Learning how to improve interview skills can be challenging, but it’s one activity that will have a significant impact on your ability to get the role you want. Needing more support than just these tips listed above? Dynamic Management Consulting would be happy to help. Connect with us today.
You may also find our blog 7 Positive Signs You Will Get the Job After the Interview helpful.
