Interview skills matter, right? Right. But in case you need a refresher as to why interview skills matter:
- Job interviews: Interview skills are crucial for job seekers. A well-executed interview can make the difference between getting the job or not. Interview skills can help individuals communicate their strengths and abilities effectively, answer questions with confidence and make a positive impression on potential employers.
- Communication skills: Interview skills are fundamental to good communication. The same skill set helps with asking good questions, learning to listen actively and understanding how to respond thoughtfully. It can also spark curiosity and interest in something new!
- Research skills: Interview skills are essential to good research and good research matters in most careers, including journalism, investment banking and the 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 interview skills can help individuals make connections and build relationships with potential employers, clients, mentors and colleagues.
- Self-reflection: Interview 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 the workplace. 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.
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. 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 a thank you email/note for the interviewer.
Task
- As a class, decide on a fictional job, possibly using themes you’ve learned in this class, or select a job posting from your community.
- Take 15 minutes to research the job, as both the interviewer and interviewee. Create a series of questions you’d like to ask as the interviewer and reflect on your possible answers as the interviewee. Use the sample questions below as a guide.
- Your teacher will set up your classroom so that there is a table and two chairs ready for each of you to talk to your classmates. The class will then be divided in two – one half will doing the interviewing and the other will be interviewed.
- Conduct the job interviews for 10 minutes and then switch roles. This activity should be repeated a few times to understand how different personalities can change the tone of a job interview.
At the end of the activity, discuss the job interview process and what was learned.
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?
Job Interview Tips:
18 Things to Avoid Doing in a Job Interview
Strategies of Effective Interviewing