INTERVIEWING SKILLS

Interviewing skills are the emotional and tactical

techniques that make job seekers more effective when
interviewing for a new job position.

By developing interviewing skills and practicing them

throughout your professional journey, you can feel more
confident about any upcoming interview and experience
a more fulfilling career. Here are some useful tips of
interviewing skills.

1. Self-preparation

Much of successful interviewing has to do with being able

to align your qualifications with the position you’re
applying for. Write down your personal and professional
strengths, including the accomplishments you’re most
proud of, your values, and your job experience.

Self-preparation can put your own strengths at the

forefront of your mind and make it easier to articulate
them in a conversation.

2. Introducing yourself
Your introduction at the beginning of an interview can
help to set a positive tone for the rest of the
conversation. After greeting your interviewer and
thanking them for the chance to meet, be ready to deliver
a short professional introduction or elevator pitch,
especially if the interviewer says, “Tell me about
yourself.”

A good elevator pitch will present who you are as a

person, your qualifications, and your enthusiasm for the
position, among other details.

You can prepare your introduction or elevator pitches in

advance of the interview, using notes from your other
preparation steps, and rehearse it several times so that
you can deliver it naturally.

3. Communication

Brushing up on your effective communication skills can

help you to establish a rapport with your interviewer.
Verbal communication skills include choosing your words
carefully and describing your qualifications clearly.
Nonverbal communication skills include smiling, nodding,
and making eye contact.
Practice good communication in advance by observing
your body language in front of a mirror. Ask a friend or
family member to do a mock interview with you. During
the interview itself, it’s okay to speak slowly and
deliberately, and even pause to consider how you’d like
to answer the interviewer’s questions.

4. Listening

There will be moments during an interview when the

interviewer will do more of the talking, particularly to
explain the position you’re applying for, describe the
company’s goals and initiatives, and answer any questions
you may have. Practice active listening so you can decide
if this position is for you. Make eye contact and nod to
signal that you understand the interview.