Master interview skills in 90 seconds

Interview skills are a crucial part of finding your dream career or pursuing your desired educational route and can help build your soft skills for everyday life.

The ability to communicate effectively and present yourself in a professional manner can get you exactly where you want to be in life. So, what exactly are employers looking for? We go through some top interview skills that can get you that dream course or job. 

 

Preparation
Before entering an interview situation, it is imperative that you brush up on your knowledge and research the role, company, course or position. This will ensure that you have the necessary knowledge to conduct an effective interview and will undoubtedly make you stand out from other candidates.

 

First impressions

It is suggested that people form their first impression of you in the first seven seconds, so it is important to make it count. Be sure to greet interviewers with a smile, a firm handshake and eye contact. You have to sell yourself before you can sell anything else and the interviewer will likely make a decision about whether you will fit in with the team as part of this first impression.

 

Be positive

A positive attitude can really set you apart in an interview and make you stand out as a suitable candidate. The last thing an interviewer wants is someone who will be negative to work with, so be enthusiastic about your previous and prospective roles and present yourself as someone who enjoys a challenge.

 

Body language

Body language can be just as important as verbal language and will help you get your foot in the door during an interview. Negative body language such as folded arms or looking at the floor can present you in an undesirable light, which could hinder your job prospects. It is important to sit upright and maintain eye contact during an interview in order to reflect positivity and maintain a professional persona.

 

Why should they hire you?

It is important that you successfully convey exactly why you would be the ideal candidate for the role. Make sure you know what they are looking for and tailor your skills and experience to this. For example, are they looking for a team worker, a good communicator, someone who can take initiative, a leader? Have at least three strong skills that you can put forward in the interview and be prepared to speak about your experience, knowledge and abilities.

 

Expect the unexpected

Interviewers will often ask questions that will seem a little unusual or are designed to catch you out. Don’t panic in these situations and use your answer to demonstrate thoughtfulness and creativity. It is impossible to plan for tricky questions so it’s important to remain calm and in control. If necessary ask the interviewer to repeat the question to gain some extra thought time but do not try to avoid it altogether.