17 Tips To Help You Improve Your Interviewing Skills

Landing your dream job often hinges on a single, pivotal moment in the interview. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but fear not! With the right preparation and a toolbox of effective techniques, you can transform interview anxiety into interview confidence. 

This article provides 17 practical tips to help you improve your interviewing skills. We'll delve into essential preparation steps, explore powerful communication tactics, and even manage interview jitters.

Preparation the Interview

Being well-prepared for an interview helps you to make a strong impression, demonstrate your qualifications, and transfer your enthusiasm for the role.

Research the Company

Thoroughly researching the company you are applying to is a vital part of preparing for an interview. Here’s what you should focus on:

• Company Overview: Understand the company's mission, values, history, and key products or services. This information is usually available on the company's website, in the "About Us" section.

• Industry and Market Position: Learn about the industry the company operates in, its competitors, and its market position. This is an easy way for you to understand the company’s existing strengths and challenges facing the company.

• Recent News and Developments: Stay updated on recent news, such as product launches, acquisitions, or leadership changes. Websites like Google News, Bloomberg, and the company's press release page are great sources for this information.

• Corporate Culture: Investigate the company's work culture, environment, and what current or former employees say about working there. Websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed offer employee reviews, where you can see personal feelings in particular and corporate culture in general into the company culture.

• Key Personnel: Familiarize yourself with the leadership team and your potential colleagues. Their leadership, vision, and work responsibility significantly impact the company's success. We highly recommend LinkedIn - a great tool for this research.

Understand the Job Description

The job description serves as a blueprint for the role, outlining responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations. Let's identify the main duties closely related to reflect on how your previous experiences align with these tasks. Pay attention to both the required and preferred qualifications, as this will help you highlight the most relevant aspects of your background during the interview. Understanding what the company is looking for in an ideal candidate can lead the way for you in framing your responses. You don't say "I fit for the position", you demonstrate it.

Prepare Your Answers

Start by crafting a concise and compelling response to "Tell me about yourself," specify your professional background and achievements. 

For questions about your strengths and weaknesses, be honest but strategic. Highlight strengths relevant to the job and discuss weaknesses with a positive spin, showing how you are working to improve them. 

When asked why you want to work at the company, connect your career goals with the company's values. Don't forget to express enthusiasm for the role. Practicing your answers guides you to feel more confident and reduces the likelihood of being caught off guard by unexpected questions.

Prepare Questions to Ask the Interviewer

I want you to know that having thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer shows your interest in this position. Asking about the company culture, team dynamics, and opportunities for growth shows that you are thinking beyond just securing the job—you are also considering your long-term fit within the company. 

Questions like "What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?" can provide valuable insights into the daily responsibilities and challenges. Additionally, asking about professional development opportunities indicates your commitment to contributing to the company's success.

Practice Your Responses

Conduct mock interviews with friends, family, or career coaches to simulate the real interview experience. This practice helps you become more comfortable with answering questions under pressure. Recording your responses can also be beneficial, as it allows you to identify areas for improvement, such as unclear phrasing or excessive filler words. 

Dress Appropriately

Your appearance can significantly impact the impression you make during an job interview. Dressing appropriately for the company’s culture demonstrates respect and professionalism. If in doubt, opt for business casual attire. Because it is generally a safe choice for most interviews. Let's choose clothing that is clean, well-fitted, and comfortable so that you will focus on the interview without distractions. 

Grooming is also important—neatly styled hair with minimal accessories presents a polished look. Paying attention to these details exposes the interviewer that you are serious about the opportunity and have made an effort to present yourself well.

During the Interview

The way you conduct yourself, respond to questions, and interact with the interviewer can greatly impact the outcome. 

Arrive on Time

Plan to arrive at the interview location at least 10-15 minutes early. This extra time not only shows respect for the interviewer’s time but also collects your thoughts and calms any pre-interview nerves. 

If you’re participating in a virtual interview, carefully check your technology is set up well in advance. Log in a few minutes early to address any technical issues, and be ready when the interview starts.

Make a Good First Impression

Your first impression sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Begin with a friendly smile, a confident handshake (if in person), do not be shy to maintain eye contact with the interviewer. 

Remember to introduce yourself, and express gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Dress appropriately, as discussed in your preparation to carry yourself with confidence. Pay attention to your posture, as standing or sitting up straight conveys confident professionalism.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

When answering questions, speak slowly and clearly, avoiding the temptation to rush through your responses. Take a moment to think before answering - make your responses well-considered and relevant. 

Use examples to illustrate your points, as they provide concrete evidence of your skills and experiences. Be mindful of your tone of voice, keeping it enthusiastic without being overly informal.

Listen Actively

Active listening is as important as speaking well in an interview. Pay close attention to the questions being asked and make certain you understand them before responding. Nod occasionally to show engagement and use verbal cues like "I see" or "That's interesting" to demonstrate you are following along. 

If a question is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. When you still try to answer while not fully understanding the question, it will lead to digression, long-windedness, and disorientation. The unfortunate consequence is creating a bad impression on the interviewer.

Display Positive Body Language

Your body language communicates a lot about your attitude and interest in the role. Maintain good eye contact to show confidence and attentiveness, but be careful not to stare, as it can come across as aggressive. Smile genuinely or nod in agreement when appropriate, which signals that you are actively participating in the conversation. Avoid crossing your arms, as this can be interpreted as being defensive or closed off. Instead, keep your posture open and relaxed, using natural hand gestures to emphasize your points.

Respond to Questions Effectively

When answering interview questions, aim to be concise yet comprehensive. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions to structure your responses logically and clearly. Here’s a brief overview of how to apply the STAR method during the interview:

• Situation: Start by describing the context of your example.

• Task: Explain the task or challenge you faced.

• Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation.

• Result: Conclude with the outcome and any positive results achieved.

Address Any Concerns Confidently

During the interview, you might encounter questions about gaps in your resume or areas where your experience may not fully align with the job description. It's important to address these concerns confidently and honestly. Acknowledge any potential shortcomings, but emphasize your willingness to learn and adapt. Highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to overcome challenges. For example, if you lack direct experience in a particular area, you could say:

"While I haven't worked specifically in that area, I have developed strong problem-solving skills in similar roles, and I am eager to apply those skills as well as learn more about [specific skill or industry]."

End on a Positive Note

As the interview concludes, thank the interviewer for their time and express your appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about the role and the company. Reaffirm your interest in the position and your excitement about the possibility of joining their team. If the interviewer hasn't mentioned the next steps, you can politely inquire about the timeline for the decision-making process. End with a firm handshake and a friendly smile, leaving the interviewer with a positive impression of your professionalism.

After the Interview

After the interview, you should follow up and reflect on your experience to maximize your chances of securing the job. 

Sending a Thank You Email

Begin by sending a thank you email within 24 hours to express your gratitude for the opportunity. Personalize your message by mentioning specific aspects of the interview that you found engaging and cleverly reiterate how your skills align with the position’s requirements. This way keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind.

Learn from Experience

Following the thank you note, take some time to reflect on the interview. Evaluate how well you answered questions, assess your fit for the role, remember to note any areas for improvement. This reflection assists you prepare better for future interviews. Besides, you can understand whether the job aligns with your career goals and values. Additionally, if any follow-up tasks were discussed during the interview, such as providing additional materials, complete these promptly.

Accept or Decline a Job Offer Politely

If you receive a job offer, evaluate it carefully by considering factors such as salary, benefits, job responsibilities, company culture, work-life balance, and opportunities for career advancement. If necessary, negotiate the offer respectfully, prioritize which meets your key priorities. Once you have made a decision, communicate your acceptance or declination of the offer. If you accept, express your gratitude and confirm the start date with other details. If you decline, thank the employer for the offer, politely provide a brief explanation. 

Conclusion

Each of these steps not only enhances your chances of landing the job but also builds your confidence and prepares you for future opportunities. Embracing these tips and continuously honing your interviewing skills will help you navigate the job market more effectively and achieve your career goals with greater success.

To become a confident interviewer, sign up for Skilltrans courses today. We have the most affordable courses to sharpen your skills!