Communication is KEY in an Interview

There is only so much a hiring manager is able to learn from a piece of paper. A candidate may have great grades, relevant experience and is fully qualified for the position but during the interview, the interviewer realizes this candidate has a dull, boring personality. You may only be partially qualified for the position but convince the interviewer you are the ideal candidate for the position. It is all about how you present yourself! Below are a few tips for job seekers on how to communicate effectively with the interviewer.

Break the Ice – Utilize the time at the beginning of an interview for small talk to release some of the tension and stress. Instead of diving right into business and questions, chat about the weather, any recent news or any interesting information you came about in your research about the organization. By engaging in small talk, the interviewer can gain a better understanding of your personality and how you communicate with others.

Engage – Once the conversation is going strong, engage with the interviewer by incorporating your research and knowledge of the company into your answer. Show the interviewer you are serious about the position by sharing information you learned about the company’s culture, competition or any recent news released about the organization. Use the opportunity to engage with the interviewer and prove you are more than competent for the position.

Be Professional – Although your interviewer will try to make you feel as comfortable as possible and you have engaged in calming conversation prior to the question portion of the interview, you cannot forget to remain professional. You must remember that you are in a professional business setting and speak in a professional, polished way.

These tips are important to keep in mind during your interview with a company. From my experience, the interviews that were more of a conversation rather than an interrogation were more successful and efficient. My responses to the questions asked were more confident and poised when I felt comfortable with the interviewer. Begin by breaking the ice, engage in conversation, and remain professional and poised throughout your interview and you will impress the interviewer and rise above the other candidates!