7 Easy Steps to Improve Your Interviewing Skills

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Regardless of all the technological advancements available today, the “back-to-basics” rule still applies when it comes to getting hired for a job. It does not matter if you are planning to apply for a million-dollar company or a small, independent firm. When you face an interviewer, it all boils down to how you present yourself. How you come across during the interview is, quite literally, the deciding factor.

Be friendly and polite with the assistant or receptionist. These people might be able to provide you with information that can be essential to your getting that job.

Once the interview is set, the obvious thing ti to be, speak well and carry yourself confidently. How you dress also affects how you are perceived. But it doesn’t stop there. Here are 7 easy steps you can take to improve your interviewing skills:

1. Prepare for the interview.
First, dress appropriately. When you meet the interviewer, your appearance will be the first thing to make an impact. Dress appropriately, check your grooming and mind your posture.

2. Practice basic courtesy.
Know where the interview will be held and be there with ample time to prepare yourself before the scheduled interview. Turn your cell phone off to avoid unnecessary distractions.

3. Do your research.
Use all your resources to make sure that you know the basics about the company before you arrive. You do not want to be caught unprepared when asked about how you heard or what you know about the company for which you are applying. Learn about your potential employer and develop a clear picture of the company profile in your mind.

Also, make sure you have prepared answers to a few basic questions — but don’t sound scripted. This happens when you rehearse what you will be saying word for word. It is enough that you have an overview of what you will say to the interviewer, and it is better to be spontaneous.

4. Be cool.
Make a great first impression by maintaining eye contact, giving the interviewer a firm handshake, a friendly smile and a polite greeting. Sit only when you are asked to do so and do not forget to thank the interviewer for taking time off of his or her busy schedule to interview you. Make sure to start on a positive note and set the proper expectations.

5. Do not sell yourself short.
In the course of the interview, answer the questions briefly and accurately. The key is to be honest, but upbeat and positive.

Make sure that as a prospective employee, you tell your future employer what you really are and what you can do for the company, not the other way around. Stay positive and do not give a bad impression about your previous employer.

If you are applying for your first job, do not let your lack of experience hinder you from gaining the advantage against more experienced applicants. What you lack in experience, make up for in confidence and eagerness to learn.

You may also put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Ask yourself, if I were on the other side of this desk, what qualities should I look for in a potential employee? Would I profit if he works for me and can he contribute to the development of the company?

Do not be afraid to sell yourself, but don’t be cocky or overconfident. Just project an air that you are sure of yourself and your capabilities.

6. Ask questions.
Should you encounter a difficult interviewer, do not be intimidated. Bring a sheet with your questions written on it to help remember what you want to know. This organizational step can make a good impression.

7. Wrap it up.
As you near the end of the interview, make sure that all bases are covered. Now is not the time to discuss or even ask about the salary and the benefits that you will receive once employed. There is ample time for that once you do get the position and are discussing the job offer.

Wrap things up by summarizing your strengths and pointing out your positive traits. Finally, as you end the interview, make sure to thank the interviewer again for his or her time, thus leaving a good, lasting impression.

BONUS #8: Follow up.
Send that all-important thank you note after the interview. Thank the interviewer for the time that he took with you and for giving you that opportunity. Make sure that you know who to contact for follow-up of the results. And re-emphasize your skills that meet the needs you uncovered during the interview.

You may notice that the interviewing takes up a great deal of the getting-hired process, so you might as well polish up your interviewing skills on your way to getting that dream job.