Whether you are just graduating from college or in a position of needing to find new employment, interviewing skills are a crucial part of landing the job you desire. Given today’s unemployment numbers, you will be competing with many others to find employment. That being said, you will want to fine tune your interviewing skills, both in person and via virtual meetings so that you can make a great first impression. Here are a few ways in this “new normal” that we now live in to practice your interviewing.
Learn the Technology
If your interview could potentially be done virtually, you will want to learn the technology associated with that style of interview. For example, Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, and WebEx all have different features that you will want to familiarize yourself with. For example, know how to put yourself on mute in case ambient noise is disturbing the other people on your call. Also be aware how to adjust the camera and how to access items like your references or certifications while on the call. You can share these virtually while having your interview. A few practice sessions should enable you to use the technology with confidence on the day of the interview.
Mock Interview Practice
Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, you will want to practice common interview questions and answers. Indeed, the online career guide giant, has 125 common questions to prepare answers for before your interview. We suggest that you practice these but do not memorize your answers. You will want to sound genuine and not rehearsed.
Practice Eye Contact and Body Language
Even if your interview is on a computer screen, your body language and eye contact can tell an employer a lot about who you are. Non-verbal communication tools like good posture, using your hands to make emphasis, and not fidgeting, are key things that an employer will be looking at. They will not be the main component of judging you for employment, but if all other things are equal, your confident and positive body language could rank you higher than others.
Dress the Part
If your interview is in-person, you will want to do some research about what the dress code is at this particular company. Find out if they are business casual, formal, or even casual. Dress for the position you want to land. If the company allows for casual dress because they do not come in contact with clients or consumers, dress business casual and be sure to look professional.
If your interview is online, be sure to be professional in your attire from head to toe. Do not make the mistake of dressing professionally from the waist up only to have something happen where your interviewer can see that you have not fully prepared. Do you need help practicing or preparing for your upcoming interview? Check out our virtual workshops and resources pages at North Shore Career Center and MassHire North Shore.
