Are your interviewing skills and practices effective?

1 Assess your goals

Before you start any interview, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from it. Are you looking for a specific position, a salary increase, a network connection, or a feedback opportunity? Depending on your goal, you will need to tailor your resume, your pitch, your questions, and your follow-up strategy accordingly. For example, if you are looking for a feedback opportunity, you might want to ask more open-ended and reflective questions, and send a thank-you note that expresses your appreciation and interest in learning more.

2 Research your interviewer

One of the most common mistakes that interviewees make is not doing enough research on their interviewer. This can lead to missed opportunities, awkward moments, or irrelevant answers. To avoid this, you should spend some time researching your interviewer's background, role, interests, and expectations. You can use various sources, such as LinkedIn, company website, social media, or mutual contacts, to gather information. This will help you to build rapport, tailor your pitch, and ask relevant and insightful questions.

3 Practice your answers

Another common mistake that interviewees make is not practicing their answers enough. This can result in rambling, vague, or inconsistent responses that fail to showcase your skills and value. To avoid this, you should prepare and practice your answers to common and specific interview questions, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your stories. You should also practice your answers out loud, preferably with a friend, a mentor, or a coach, who can give you feedback and suggestions.

4 Dress appropriately

The way you dress for an interview can have a significant impact on your first impression and your confidence. You should dress according to the culture and the norms of the organization and the industry you are interviewing for. You should also consider the format and the location of the interview, whether it is in-person, online, or over the phone. For example, if you are interviewing online, you should wear a professional top, avoid distracting accessories, and check your background and lighting.

5 Follow up promptly

The last but not least tip to improve your interviewing skills and practices is to follow up promptly after the interview. This will show your interest, gratitude, and professionalism, and keep you in the mind of the interviewer. You should send a thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview, highlighting your main strengths, addressing any concerns, and reiterating your enthusiasm for the opportunity. You should also follow up periodically until you hear back from the interviewer, but avoid being too pushy or desperate.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?