Interview Performance: 10 Tips to improve your next Interview

Although preparing for an interview might be nerve-wracking, it doesn't have to be! To increase your chances of landing the job you want and advancing your career, follow these 10 tips!

1) Understand why you want the job

Many people lack the knowledge necessary to grasp the job description and the appropriate questions to pose, but doing so is crucial for both you and the company. You should enquire about pay, benefits, and any other issues you may have. You should also be aware of the corporate culture in order to determine whether it will be a suitable fit for you.

2) Have a clear idea about what you will say in the interview.

Ask relevant questions, let the interviewer speak, show that you've done research, ask for the job! I'm always excited about interviewing a candidate. It's a great opportunity to learn about what they're interested in. To get a good idea of how they'll fit in with our team. And to get some feedback from them on what we do here at Company X.

I often start by asking if they have any specific areas of interest or know anything about our company. Once we talk about their background and goals, I like to know why they want this particular position. What would it be like for them working here? And what skills could they bring? We'll also talk about salary expectations and whether there are any other things we need to discuss before moving forward.

3) Practice mock interviews.

This is the easiest way, and most effective, thing you can do to prepare for an interview. The more interviews you have under your belt, the less nerve-wracking it will be when the real one comes along. It's also a great chance to try out some different responses and get feedback on what works best for you.

Practice with friends or family members if possible - they might be able to point out things that you missed in your answers which could make all the difference during an interview.

4) Research about the company and prepare questions on it.

The best thing you can do is research about the company in advance so that you are fully aware of what their needs are before going into the interview so when they ask what skillset you have that they don't have at this time, you're prepared with answers.

5) Avoid giving vague responses

Keep a positive attitude and give the impression that you're a learner who welcomes challenge. Interviewers will find that approach more appealing and it'll do wonders for your confidence in future interviews. When meeting with your interviewer, don't be afraid to ask questions; that shows you are engaged and interested.

6) Dress appropriately for the occasion.

The way you dress can be the difference between landing and losing an interview. You want to show up looking professional and polished, not like you just rolled out of bed in your pajamas. A suit is always a good choice for men, but for women it depends on the industry and company culture. If you're interviewing for a creative agency, jeans and a blouse will suffice; if you're interviewing at a bank, it's best to err on the side of wearing something more formal than that. So, before you step into the interview room take a second to check yourself from head-to-toe in the mirror - do you look presentable?

7) Know when and how much you can talk during an interview.

Don't feel like you have to fill every second with chatter. Be aware of the fact that interviewers may see silence as a sign that you don't have anything important to say. If the interviewer doesn't provide an opportunity for questions, then it's up to you if you want to ask some or not. Asking too many questions can be seen as being needy and interrupting the flow of the interview.

8) Don’t make assumptions based on appearances.

When it comes to interviewing for a job, there are some people that have the misconception that you need to look the part. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth! While dressing professionally and neatly is always in good taste, this is not what will make or break your interview. Interviewing is much more than just looking good on paper; it's about presenting yourself in an authentic way and showing off who you are.

9) Answer all questions with confidence but without taking risks.

Answer all questions with confidence but without taking risks.: An interview is not an exam where you need 100% correct answers; it's a conversation where everyone has equal input (the interviewee, the interviewer). Just because someone else gave an answer doesn't mean yours is wrong - just different. Always stay calm and confident when answering questions.

10) Send thank you note after an interview even if you don’t get selected.

Even if you don't get the job, send a thank you note after an interview to maintain a positive relationship with the employer.

For more details watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel.