What is one way to improve your interviewing skills?

To help you improve your interviewing skills as a candidate, we asked business leaders and experienced recruiters this question for their best advice. From consulting those with more experience to using stories from past experiences, there are a number of tips that may help you boost your chances of winning the next job you interview for. 

Here are five ways to improve your interviewing skills:

• Consult Those With More Experience

• Research and Prepare

• Pay Attention To Body Language

• Enquire About The Workplace Culture 

• Use Stories From Past Experiences

Consult Those With More Experience

There is a good chance you know someone who has gone through a job interviewing gauntlet, someone with more work experience and more job candidate experience. Seek advice from them and ask them specific questions about what questions tripped them up during the interview and what mistakes to avoid. Don’t be too proud to seek advice or recommendations. The more real-life scenarios you listen to, the more prepared you’ll be for any curveball thrown your way by a hiring manager.

Alan Ahdoot, Adamson Ahdoot Law

Research and Prepare

Practice makes permanent, so anticipate the types of questions that may come up in your interview, and do your research to form thoughtful responses. There’s no need to script yourself or memorize, but taking time to properly prepare will help boost your confidence so you can speak to whatever questions arise in the interview process. 

You might write down a few bullet points, or practice answering mock interview questions with a friend, family member, or in the mirror. Also remember to write down a few of your own questions to ask the prospective employer about the team culture, day in the life at their company, and anything else you think will help you in determining if the job is right for you.

Tommy Chang, Homelister

Pay Attention To Body Language

Pay attention to the body language of your interviewer. Watch their eye movements, hand gestures, and other movements that may signal an emotional response to your answers. If your interviewer suddenly folds their arms or lowers their eyes, it could be a signal of disagreement. If they smile and nod, it could be a positive signal. Use these cues to steer the conversation in a direction that produces the most positive response, and away from topics that could break rapport.

Dennis Consorte, Snackable Solutions

Enquire About The Workplace Culture

It’s important to ask the hiring manager how the workplace culture is to get a true sense if the environment is toxic or not. Read their body language and eye contact – if they’re unable to answer the question confidently, and they lose focus, that’s a huge sign the office culture isn’t great and will turn into the candidate searching for a new opportunity in the first six months. While the manager is interviewing the applicant, the applicant should also interview the company to ensure it’s a good fit. If they’re unable to tell the candidate why they enjoy working for the business, it may be best to look for employment elsewhere.

Natália Sadowski, Nourishing Biologicals

Use Stories From Past Experiences

The best way to improve your interviewing skills is to really hone in on a few stories of your previous work or life experience. If you are able to pick and choose really compelling stories, it should be easy for you to draw on these when faced with a variety of different questions. Whenever you get a challenging question that you were unprepared for, these stories should be your first thought on how you can give a relatable answer.

Kevin Hanson, WFH Adviser

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