The interview process is usually the make it or break it time as far as whether you get the job. Especially in today’s job market, it’s very important that you focus on doing all that you can to nail it. And I’m here to help with more tips and strategies.
There’s also some articles on Preparing for an Interview and Top Strategies for the Interview: The Basics that you may want to check out as precursors to this article. Together these articles will get you through the starting gate of an interview.
Don’t Assume
It can be very easy to use your previous company’s jargon and acronyms during an interview but I caution you not to do so. You don’t want to put your interviewer on the spot of having to ask you what something means. You want to be clear, concise, and informative of your successes during the interview.
Therefore, unless an acronym is very widely known, you’ll want to refrain from using the acronym and instead either use the full words or describe what you are talking about. Nothing is worse than putting the interviewer on the spot. Follow this tip and you can avoid that!
Extra tip: If possible, try to refrain from asking clarifying questions. If you can, answer the question to the best of your understanding. Or say something like, “If I understand correctly what you are asking….” and then complete your thought. That way, again, you avoid putting the interviewer on the spot.
Be Honest
Above all, be honest in your interview. With many companies, if any dishonestly during the interview process is identified you can be terminated at any point in your employment. Even years later! While you certainly may boast, a bit, about your successes, don’t stretch them too far that they become dishonest or misleading statements of your successes or skills.
Don’t Volunteer Negative Information
This one often catches people up. They don’t realize it, but they are unnecessarily sharing negative information about themselves during an interview, without any clarifying or positive spin on the question. For example, instead of “I’ve never used those applications,” try “While I’ve never used those applications, I’ve used similar ones and have a demonstrated quick ability to learn new applications.” In this answer you are being honest, but not leaving them with a negative answer. You are literally saying, “This won’t be a problem for me or you!” Another, more direct, example is when they tell you the hours of the job and you respond with “Ugh… it’s always hard for me to catch the bus in the morning at that time.” – you’ve just introduced a negative into the conversation that wasn’t necessary. Avoid this at all costs!
Show Passion and Energy
Always show passion and energy for the opportunity. Do so in your word choices and voice inflection. In other words, don’t just tell them that you want the job, let them hear how you really want the job!
Tied to this, emphasize what you can do to benefit the company rather than want you are interested in gaining from the job. In today’s market, an employer has plenty of candidates to choose from. Be the one that is focused on them, not yourself.
What has been your Experience in these Areas?
How do you show passion and energy in a job interview? How do you avoid sharing negative information? What if they ask you for negative information (“what is some constructive feedback your last boss has given you?”) How do you spin that into a positive?
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15 October 2021
These are good tips. Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome Fadima – I’m glad you enjoyed them!
these are really good tips and I’ve learned some of these in a business class I took in high school. My problem is that I get so nervous I forget what I learn lol
Deep breathes and lots of practice (fgood or all of us) and you will nail your interviews Deandra! 🙂
Great tips, sometimes how you spin a sentence means a lot more than the information you’re actually giving. And honesty is so important! If you’re out of your depth it will be obvious instantly x
Sophie
So very true Sophie!! Great point!
Very useful tips especially spinning a negative comment into a positive one.
Thank you Takara – glad you found it helpful!
I actually enjoy interviews. I try to establish a connection with the interviewers early on and as you mentioned try to phrase things positively, while showing my eagerness to learn and potential for growth. Great tips.
It sounds like you have them nailed Kimberlie – congratulations!! 🙂
I have to brush up on my interviewing skills. Thank you for the helpful tips!
You are very welcome Andrea! 🙂
As a hiring manager, this is great advice for potential employers
Thank you Nicole – I’m a hiring manager too and it helped supplement my tips based on what I’ve learned in those interviews.
Thanks for all these tips! I haven’t interviewed in so long. This is a great refresher.
Glad you enjoyed them Amanda! 🙂
Great tips for anyone preparing for a job interview! Putting a positive spin on things can be super effective 🙂
Absolutely Karen!
Two things I’ve learned getting successful interviews is that I have to show these companies how they’d benefit from hiring me by giving them honest and convincing answers. Also, I don’t let them “totally control” the interview process for me.
Good points Dan. And very true – an interview is your chance to learn whether you want to work for them as well.
I used to get so nervous before but after lots of practice and being authentic I am able to make good conversation and establish some connections. These are great tips, I wish I get them before. Thank you so much.
Congratulations Nilakshi! Practice makes perfect, esp. when it comes to interviews!
I’m on interviewer side right now and loved your thoughts! Thanks for this!
You are very welcome Andreah! I”m on the interviewer side too – it’s soo enlightening!
Recently I was looking for a job and had a few interviews. I hadn’t been on one in 25 years and I couldn’t believe how nervous I was. My lip was shaking while I was talking on the first two (and I didn’t get those but they weren’t really right for me anyway.) Once I got more comfortable with the process I had two offers in the same week – both for positions that I had talents in. Your tips are spot on.
Thank you Jen – and congratulations on the job offers!
These are great tips, Lisa! It has been many years since I did an interview and I am retired now. I am so glad I am past that process.
Times have changed and interviewing has become less personal as you are just a number among many on the internet before you get the interview. When I was younger we walked into businesses and asked if they were hiring and pick up an application you could fill out then or bring back. This way they could have that initial contact and you have a moment to market yourself before the interviewing process.
It is so useful to have tips that can give the applicant a better chance of getting hired. Thank you for sharing!
You are very welcome Denise (I remember those days.. how the times have changed :-))
No matter how skillful you are, the job interview will determine whether the company will hire you or not. These practical tips do help. Thank you.
I”m glad you found them helpful Cherrie!
I’m in my last semester of my master’s program & these tips will definitely be useful when I’m applying for jobs.
I’m glad to hear that Karalee! Best of luck with your interviews!
I agree with all of these interview tips! Honesty is so important, but at the same time, you don’t want to seem like the complaining type. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
You’re welcome Nancy – thanks for stopping by!
These are very interesting and insightful tips. Strangely enough a lot of people have encouraged me to LIE during interviews, which I’ve never done because I feel bad about it!
? Marissa Belle × marsybun.com ?
I agree with your instincts Marissa – never lie during an interview. Depending on the situation, it could be cause for termination if discovered.