10 interview skills you need to get hired (and how to improve them)

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10 interview skills you need to get hired (and how to improve them)

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While most jobs don’t require fluent speaking skills, getting through the interview often does. You don’t have to answer every interview question perfectly, but you can improve your interview skills. Here are 10 interview skills that will help you land a job.

1. Do your basic research.

This may not seem like a real interview skill, but it is. If you walk into an interview and say, “Now what are you going to do again?” and “Do you already have funding?” you’re doomed before you start No matter how brilliant your personality is, you need to do background research.

2. Be polite to everyone.

You may have heard stories of people who were rude to the receptionist, cut someone off in the parking lot, or yelled at the barista at the coffee shop around the corner and then didn’t get the job. These things happen and can ruin your chances. I will never, ever, not in a million years hire someone who is rude to the receptionist or barista. Many recruiters and hiring managers feel the same way.

3. Watch your body language.

This one is a little more difficult. mine Inc. colleague Minda Zetlin listed 21 body language mistakes people make. Some of them are especially important in an interview. For example:

  • Lean back or sit up straight to show you’re interested.
  • Maintain eye contact to appear honest, but don’t just stare, because then you look aggressive.
  • Don’t nod too much. Yes, you want to show agreement, but you nod too much and start to look like you really don’t care.

4. Watch your real language.

If you have a cramp, save it for your friends, not the interview. If the interviewer lets the f-bombs fly, you can feel more comfortable doing the same, but otherwise, use words that express your actual feelings and ideas.

5. Review your own resume.

You know what you did, right? Are you sure? I was once caught off guard in an interview when the hiring manager asked me a specific question about an accomplishment on my resume. I had to stumble for a minute before my brain caught on to what she was talking about. Don’t make this mistake. Refresh your memory, especially old jobs.

6. Prepare for standard questions.

Many interviewers will ask you to “tell me about a time when …” followed by something relevant to your field and this particular job. You should have great answers prepared for this. Come up with a list of possible questions and work on your answers. Another Inc. colleague Jeff Hayden just listed the 27 most common job interview questions and their answers. Be sure to review these questions before you get to a job interview.

7. Prepare your wardrobe.

Yes, people judge you by what you wear. Most interviewers won’t care about the brand of your jacket or whether the heel on your shoe is worn, but you should be dressed appropriately. Generally, for most professional jobs, this means a suit or one step lower. If you’re worried, go to their parking lot before the interview and watch people come out. If their style is business casual, you should wear a suit. If they’re wearing jeans and flip flops, you’re probably fine with business casual, but it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed in most industries.

8. Prepare your questions.

Don’t ask questions that can be answered by looking at the company’s website. Ask questions about the challenges of the position, what success looks like, and how the position fits into the organization’s goals. Remember, you want to appear as if you are genuinely interested in succeeding in this position, and you need this information to do so.

9. Don’t berate your former employer.

You will most likely be asked why you want to leave your current job (or why you left your last job if you are unemployed). Don’t lie, but don’t be super negative either. “My boss is a big fool. She’s picky, she plays favorites, and she smells like tuna.” All of these things may be true, but you don’t look good. Find out how to explain why you’re leaving, why you were fired, what you learned from it, and how it all means this new job is great.

10. Don’t forget the thank you card.

It no longer needs to be a map; email will do just fine. You can get hired without one, but it’s a nice gesture to send a quick follow-up email to the hiring manager and recruiter. This keeps you on their mind and shows your courtesy, which brings it full circle. You start by being nice to everyone and end the interview by being nice to everyone and increase your chances.

Don’t panic at the thought of your next interview. Prepare in advance and you will do a great job.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own and not those of Inc.com.

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