When it comes down to it, all interview questions ask the same thing: “Can we trust you?”
You wouldn’t be invited to an interview if you weren’t sufficiently skilled or experienced for the role, so face-to-face meetings are more often used to determine whether you will fit in with the business. As trust is a major component of any relationship, even a working relationship, interviews help to establish whether you will do what you say you can do.
But how can you prove you’re trustworthy in less than an hour?
We have 5 tips on how to impress any interviewer when meeting them for the first time:
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. It’s not all about you
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. Stay positive
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. Honesty is the best policy
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. Question everything
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.
