Learning interviewing skills is valuable for a variety of reasons, including:
- Job interviews: Interviewing skills are crucial for job seekers. A well-executed interview can make the difference between getting the job or not. Interviewing skills can help individuals communicate their strengths and abilities effectively, answer questions with confidence, and make a positive impression on potential employers.
- Communication skills: Interviewing skills are also useful contexts beyond job interviews. They can help individuals become better communicators, be able to ask good questions, to listen actively, and to respond thoughtfully to the person they are speaking with. It can also spark curiosity and interest in something new!
- Research skills: Interviewing skills are essential for conducting research in many fields, including journalism, market research, and social sciences. A good interview can elicit valuable information, insights, and perspectives that might not be available through other sources.
- Networking: Networking is an important skill in many professions, and interviewing skills can help individuals make connections and build relationships with potential employers, clients, mentors and colleagues.
- Self-reflection: Interviewing skills can help individuals reflect on their own experiences, values, and goals. By practicing self-reflection through interviews, individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves and their strengths, and use this information to make informed decisions about their lives and careers.
Interviews provide an opportunity for both the interviewer and the candidate to assess each other and determine if they would be a good match in terms of skills, values, and overall compatibility. The interview process allows the interviewer to learn more about the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and goals, while also providing the candidate with information about the company and the role they are applying for. Ultimately, the goal is to find the best fit for both parties.
? Grab a partner and practice your interview skills on each other. Each of you will present your idea for making money and doing good. Your partner will then take on the role of the interviewer and ask a series of questions that can relate to the job, as well as uncovering skills and experience the interviewee has.
? Pro Tips for a Successful Interview ?
- Research the company and the position, review the job description, and note the tone of the company.
- Pay close attention to the interviewer and their questions and ask follow-up questions to clarify and gather more information.
- Use examples where possible to help demonstrate what you are capable of.
- If you are unsure of what the interviewer is looking for in an answer, ask them to rephrase it.
- Be confident and clear with your answers.
- Practice, practice, practice! If you are interviewing online, make sure your technology is working and you feel comfortable on the computer.
- Ensure that you are able to describe your goals, and how you see yourself contributing to the company or vision.
- Keep eye contact (if applicable) with your interviewer, listen intently and be enthusiastic.
- Select professional clothing (and a hairstyle) that looks polished, fits properly, and is suitable for the type of job/company you are interviewing for.
- If shaking hands, ensure your handshake (if possible) is firm and confident.
- Be prepared to ask questions about the company or position.
- Follow up with the interviewer with a thank you email/note.
Example Questions
For a general job interview:
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- Why are you interested in this job/company?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What are your greatest weaknesses?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult situation at work?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- How do you handle stress and pressure?
- What pursuits would inspire and give meaning to you?
- What impact would you like to make on others?
- Can you walk me through your decision-making process?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult situation at work?
- Can you give an example of a successful project you have completed?
- How do you handle criticism?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- Can you tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a change in the workplace?
- Why should we hire you for this position?
For a sales job:
- Can you walk me through your sales process?
- How do you handle objections?
- Can you give an example of a time when you exceeded your sales quota?
- How do you stay up to date on industry trends and competitors?
- How do you prioritize and manage your sales leads?
For a customer service job:
- How do you handle difficult customers?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to resolve a customer complaint?
- How do you handle a high volume of customer inquiries?
- How do you ensure customer satisfaction?
For a management job:
- Can you give an example of how you delegate tasks to your team?
- How do you handle conflicts between team members?
- How do you measure the success of your team?
- How do you motivate your team to achieve their goals?