Supercharge your next job interview with these five essential skills that recruiters can't resist

Are you ready to land your dream job? There are several interview skills that you should brush up on - but there are five interview skills in particular that will get you hired. These can be your secret weapon to stand out from the competition and impress potential employers. 

Of course, you know that interviews can be daunting, but with the right skills you can turn this challenge into an opportunity to shine.

As a job seeker, your interview skills are not just about answering questions. They're about showcasing your value, demonstrating your understanding of the company and role, and connecting on a personal level with the interviewer. These skills are essential because they enable you to express your qualifications effectively, exhibit your unique attributes, and prove that you're a perfect fit for the company's culture.

These job interview skills aren't just for the novices. Even if you're a seasoned professional, refining these abilities can make a significant difference. Remember, the job market is continually evolving and so should your skills. From preparation to following up, mastering these five key interview skills will put you on a clear path to success. 

So, if you're ready to ace your next interview and secure that job offer, you've come to the right place.

Skill 1: Preparation

Before you even step foot into the interview room, you'll need to harness the power of preparation. This is one of the critical interview skills that will get you hired. But why is preparation so important?

When you walk into an interview prepared, you're not only displaying your interest in the position but also demonstrating your professionalism and commitment. Preparation allows you to align your unique gifts and qualifications with the position you're applying for, making it easier to articulate them during the conversation. It can put your strengths at the forefront of your mind, creating a positive first impression that can resonate throughout the interview​.

Personal preparation

Personal preparation goes beyond just knowing your resume. It's about understanding your story, your journey, and how it all connects to the role you're pursuing. By doing this, you're ensuring that you remember your unique strengths, enabling you to communicate them effectively during the interview.

Reflect on your individual characteristics, career milestones, and the core values that underpin your professional persona. Identifying your unique strengths and recording them not only facilitates a concise articulation of your capabilities during the interview, but also boosts your confidence.

Consider your most significant achievements and the qualities that helped you to attain them. Reflect on your professional journey, the roles you've undertaken, and the skills you've honed over time. This exercise will allow you to create a clear mental map of your competencies, furthering your understanding of how these align with the job you're seeking.

Company research

Understanding the company's mission and vision allows you to identify ways that you can contribute to its goals. This knowledge will enable you to articulate not just why you want the job, but why your skills and experiences make you the best fit for the organization. By demonstrating this alignment, you convey your potential value to the company and enhance your candidacy.

Explore their website, scrutinize customer reviews, and study their products or services. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the company's competitors, market position, and industry trends. As you navigate through this information, note down your observations and formulate potential questions about the company culture and role.

Logistical planning

By meticulously planning the logistics, you can focus more on the actual interview, reducing anxiety and making a positive impression. This involves dealing with everything from travel arrangements or setting up for a virtual interview to deciding what to wear. Developing your logistical planning skills starts with understanding every facet of the interview process. 

  • Will it be face-to-face or online? 

  • What is the exact location and how will you get there? 

  • Is there a specific dress code you should be aware of? 

  • When should you leave to ensure you're punctual?

In the case of a virtual interview, it's equally important to ensure your technology is working perfectly. Check your internet connection, microphone, and camera and familiarize yourself with the platform you'll be using.

Preparation is more than just a task to check off your list– it's a strategic approach that sets the stage for a successful interview. This level of readiness will help you to feel confident and capable, and it will certainly shine through to your interviewer.

Skill 2: Emotional intelligence

After perfecting your preparation for the interview, the next crucial step is to navigate your emotions effectively, leveraging emotional intelligence to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.

Preparing for, or attending, a job interview can stir a range of emotions. Here are some of the most common ones and their potential causes:

  • Anxiety or nervousness: These are often the most prevalent emotions during interviews. They can be triggered by fear of the unknown – concerns about making a good impression, worry about answering questions correctly, or the general pressure to succeed.

  • Excitement: This emotion can arise from the potential of a new job, the opportunity for advancement, or the prospect of stepping into a new professional environment.

  • Confidence: This is often a result of thorough preparation and a strong belief in your abilities. However, if not tempered, it can easily turn into overconfidence, which may be perceived negatively.

  • Self-doubt or insecurity: This can occur due to perceived gaps in qualifications, lack of experience, or previous negative experiences in job interviews. It can also be linked to imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern in which you doubt your accomplishments.

  • Pressure or stress: These feelings can be caused by the high-stakes nature of interviews, particularly if you're unemployed or unhappy in your current job.

  • Hopefulness or optimism: These positive emotions can be a result of a promising job opportunity, an interview that feels like it went well, or positive interactions with potential future colleagues.

  • Frustration or disappointment: These can occur as a result of not performing as expected in an interview, not being able to convey your skills effectively, or facing repeated rejections.

One technique to help control your emotions is deep breathing. This simple yet powerful exercise can calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and help you to focus better. Start by finding a comfortable position. Slowly inhale, filling your lungs with air, hold your breath for a few counts, then slowly exhale. Repeat this several times, particularly in the moments leading up to the interview.

Arriving early to your interview location, whether it's a physical location or a virtual platform, can also help to alleviate stress. It gives you enough time to compose yourself, do a final review of your notes, and mentally prepare for the conversation ahead.

Remember, mastering your emotions doesn't mean suppressing them. It's about acknowledging your feelings and using effective strategies to manage them. This emotional resilience benefits you in interviews and also in various aspects of your professional life.

Skill 3: Mastering communication

Perfecting your communication skills is crucial to acing your job interview. A good interview is a two-way street, with both parties exchanging ideas and information. On top of that, you're not there to simply share your qualifications, but to connect them to the needs of the employer. This can greatly increase your chances of getting the job.

So, how can you showcase your good interview skills through excellent communication? By realizing the importance of verbal communication, non-verbal communication, and active listening. 

  • Verbal communication: Good interview skills are about engaging in meaningful conversation. Being articulate and clear in your responses is key. Choose your words carefully and describe your expertise in a way that resonates with the interviewer. It's okay to speak slowly and take time to formulate your responses. This shows thoughtfulness and thorough preparation.
  • Non-verbal communication: Non-verbal cues also play an integral role in the interview process. This includes your body language, facial expressions, and eye contact. A warm smile, confident posture, and attentive eye contact can greatly enhance the impression you leave with your interviewer.
  • Active listening: Listening, truly listening, is a skill often underestimated. During an interview, active listening allows you to understand the employer's needs and expectations better. It also shows your interest in the role and the company. Remember to nod, maintain eye contact, and react appropriately to demonstrate your attentiveness.

Skill 4: Showing your suitability for the role

Highlighting your career achievements and qualifications is an invaluable skill in an interview. Here are some tips to help you translate your achievements into qualifications for the role:

  • Be a STAR: Use the STAR method to structure your responses. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This method allows you to present a clear narrative of how you've handled situations in the past and what outcomes you've achieved.

  • Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Numbers often speak louder than words. For example, instead of saying, "I increased sales," say, "I increased sales by 30% over six months."

  • Match achievements to job requirements: Go through the job description and understand the requirements of the role. Then, match your achievements to these requirements. This shows the interviewer that you've done your homework and are equipped to succeed in the position.

  • Provide concrete examples: When discussing your achievements, provide concrete examples to illustrate your points. This lends credibility to your claims and paints a more vivid picture of your capabilities.

There isn't an interviewer alive who wants to sit through a monologue or a question-and-answer session. An interview should be a dialogue where you also have the opportunity to ask insightful questions. This is another aspect of active communication that demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

Skill 5: Following up

Once you've completed your interview, you shouldn't simply wait for a response from the interviewer. It's important to take the initiative and follow up. While this may seem like a task to check off your list rather than a skill, it actually presents an opportunity to demonstrate a variety of professional skills that are highly valued by employers, like: 

  • Communication

  • Persistence

  • Time management

  • Emotional intelligence

In some cases, a follow-up may elicit feedback about your interview performance. The ability to handle this feedback positively, whether it's constructive criticism or an invitation to a second interview, is also a crucial skill.

Top Tip: You can find our detailed guide on when and how to follow up after your interview here: Timing is Everything: When to Follow up After Your Interview

Step into your future with confidence

As you step out of this article and into your next interview, remember that each encounter is more than a chance to land a job - it's an opportunity for growth. The skills you've explored - preparation, emotional intelligence, communication, showing off your suitability, and post-interview diligence - are not just steps on your journey to employment. They're tools to build a more confident, capable you. 

So, whether you're embarking on your first interview or your fiftieth, see it as more than a meeting. It's a moment to shine, to learn, and to step closer to your goals. Because ultimately, the job you're preparing for isn't just about work - it's about building the career - and the life - you envision.

Empower your job search today by leveraging our expert interview preparation services, and step into your next interview with confidence and a winning strategy.

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