Career Readiness Week: Interview Tips

Interview Tips

First Impressions Matter

• Posture: Sit up straight, with your shoulders relaxed. This conveys confidence and attentiveness.
• Handshake: Start with a firm but not overly strong handshake. This sets a professional tone.

Eye Contact

• Maintain consistent eye contact without staring. It shows that you are engaged and interested in what the candidate is saying.
• Avoid looking at notes or a computer screen for too long, as this can come across as disinterested.

Facial Expressions

• Smile genuinely at the beginning to make the candidate feel welcome.
• Use nods and facial expressions to show understanding and encouragement as the candidate speaks.
• Avoid frowning or showing negative reactions, even if the candidate's answer is not ideal.

Gestures

•  Use open hand gestures to emphasize points and make the conversation feel more dynamic.
• Avoid crossing your arms, as this can seem defensive or closed off.
• Keep your movements natural and not too exaggerated, which can be distracting.

Tone of Voice

• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly.
• Vary your tone to keep the conversation lively and engaging.
• Use a friendly but professional tone to create a comfortable atmosphere

Active Listening 

• Show that you are listening by nodding and using verbal affirmations like "I see," "That’s interesting," or "Go on."
• Avoid interrupting the candidate unless necessary for clarification.

Control Nervous Habits

• Be mindful of any nervous habits, such as tapping your pen, fidgeting, or playing with your hair, which can distract the candidate.
• Keep your hands relaxed, either resting on the table or gently gesturing as you speak.

Pacing and Pausing

• Allow the candidate time to respond to questions without rushing them.
• Use pauses effectively to give yourself a moment to think or to let a point sink in. 

Be Aware 

• Respect the candidate's personal space. Sit at a comfortable distance, ideally across a table, which provides a natural boundary.
• Lean in slightly when the candidate is speaking to show interest, but avoid invading their personal space.

Ending the Interview

• End the interview with a firm handshake and a polite, genuine thank you.
• Maintain positive body language until the candidate has left the room, as this leaves a lasting impression. 

Practice Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What were your most significant accomplishments in your last role?
• Can you tell me about a challenging situation at work and how you handled it?
• Describe a time when you had to work under pressure.
• Have you ever had to deal with a difficult colleague? How did you handle the situation?
• Can you describe a project where you successfully led a team?
• How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple deadlines?
• How do you handle feedback?
• Describe a time when you contributed to a company culture.
• What motivates you to do your best work?
• What are you passionate about?
• Do you have any questions for us?