1. Be an Active Listener
Therapists and counsellors often practice ‘active listening’, which means fully engaging in what someone else is saying to respond in an insightful and considerate manner. When your interviewer is talking, concentrate on them and show you’re listening by smiling and nodding. When it’s your turn to speak, indicate that you’ve understood what they’ve said and avoid giving impulsive answers.
2. Show Genuine Interest
Employers want to know if you’ll get on well with their staff. How we feel about others often reflects how we feel about ourselves, so discuss inspirational colleagues and admirable qualities in others and even praise elements of your interviewer’s career. Don’t go too far with it, though…there’s a fine line between being complimentary and sucking up!
3. Maintain Positive Body Language
Everything you say during an interview should be presented positively or at least have a positive spin. Think of problems as challenges, failures as opportunities to learn and difficulties as a test of character. Never badmouth past employers or colleagues, as your interviewer will (justifiably) believe you’ll do the same to them.
4. Be Honest and Transparent
A great show of trust and strength of character is honesty. Readily admit your faults (while explaining how you plan to improve on them) and always ask the interviewer to explain or repeat themselves if you don’t quite understand something they’ve said.
5. Ask Insightful Questions
Whenever an interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” you should always use this as an opportunity to learn everything you need about the role. Prepare for this in advance by including a list of example questions. Asking questions shows a level of investment and interest, which ultimately makes you a more desirable candidate.
