Communication in the Job Interview: Role of the Interviewee

Pre-interview Preparation: Keys to Arrive with Confidence

Success in a job interview begins long before you sit down in front of the interviewer. Thorough preparation is essential.

First, take care of your personal image, as your clothing, hygiene and general appearance convey a powerful non-verbal message.

Second, gather information about the company and the position, including duties and hours, to demonstrate your interest and knowledge.

It is crucial to have all the information on your resume perfectly memorized to avoid giving an image of disorganization or disinterest.

Also, prepare a series of intelligent questions to ask the interviewer, which shows initiative.

Punctuality is a must; try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

Finally, before going in, take a moment to relax, take a deep breath and turn off your cell phone to focus all your attention on the interview.

The Staging: Projecting Confidence and Professionalism

During the interview, your nonverbal communication is as important as your answers. The goal is to show confidence at all times.

Start with a firm handshake and accompany your greeting with a smile, gestures that convey confidence and friendliness.

Look the interviewer in the eye, especially when speaking, as this is a basic rule of respect and interest.

Control your voice, maintaining an appropriate volume and pace, and use pauses to convey calm and confidence.

It is vital to avoid nervous gestures or tics that give away your discomfort and send a negative message.

Finally, be polite and courteous not only to the person interviewing you, but to all company personnel you come across, as you never know who may have an influence on the final decision.

The Content of Your Answers: Sincerity and Enthusiasm

Manners are crucial, but the content of your answers will determine whether you are the ideal candidate.

It is critical to prepare answers to the most likely questions, as how you say things may be more important than what you say.

Always show a positive and enthusiastic attitude, as no one wants a negative person on their team.

Practice active listening: don't interrupt the interviewer and respect the interviewer's turn to speak, showing that you value what he or she is saying.

Towards the end of the interview, try to subtly take control by asking questions about the next steps in the process or whether you are considered a good candidate for the job.

Above all, always be honest; don't exaggerate your knowledge or experience, as lies are often found out and you will automatically be eliminated from the process.

Crucial Mistakes to Avoid

There are certain mistakes that can cost you the job and should be avoided at all costs.

The first is to appear unqualified for the job, either because you really aren't or, worse, because you project a lack of confidence in your own abilities. An interviewer will never select someone who doesn't believe in themselves.

Another serious mistake is to express yourself in a vague or unclear manner; although nerves are understandable, you should strive to be as precise as possible.

Not having done a minimum of research on the company or the sector shows a lack of preparation that is interpreted as disinterest.

Finally, the most obvious mistake is to show disinterest during the interview itself; if you are not interested in the conversation, it will be assumed that you are not interested in the position either.

Summary

Success in an interview begins with thorough preparation. First, take care of your personal image, as your clothing and hygiene convey a powerful nonverbal message about you and the way you are.

During the interview, your nonverbal communication is as important as your answers; the goal is to show confidence. Start with a firm handshake and accompany your greeting with a sincere smile.

Manners are crucial, but the content of your answers will determine whether you are the ideal candidate. It is essential to prepare answers to the most likely questions, as how you say things matters a lot.