Interview techniques: How can you improve yours?

As an engineer who has watched plenty of interviews from both the interviewer and interviewee perspective, I can tell you that interview skills are key. You’re not just responding to questions.

You’re selling yourself. I’ve created strategies that have consistently helped me and my clients crush interviews. So let me give you some tips to help you win your next interview.

Preparing for the Interview: Essential Techniques

You want to nail that interview? It all comes down to preparation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen candidates blow it because they didn’t put in the effort ahead of time. Let’s change that.

Research the company and the role. If you fail to do this, you’ll inevitably sound clueless when the interviewer asks what you know about the company. You’ll also miss the mark when they ask what you’re looking for in the role. You need to know:

• The company’s mission and values
• Recent news or developments
• The specifics of the position you’re applying for
• The company’s main competitors

Really practice common interview questions. You don’t want to sound too scripted, but you still want to be prepared. “Tell me about yourself” is almost guaranteed to come up. Have a concise response ready.

Have questions ready to ask the interviewer. This shows you’re not just there because you need a job, but because you want to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Prepare questions about the company culture, team dynamics, or growth opportunities.

Get all necessary documents and materials together. At the very least, bring multiple copies of your resume and a notepad and a pen to take notes. If you have a portfolio, bring it with you.

And remember, you’re not just trying to answer questions correctly. You’re trying to sell them on the fact that you’re the solution to their problems. You’re trying to show them you’ve done your research, and you’re ready to get started.

Mastering Non-Verbal Communication in Interviews

Your words do matter, but your body language speaks volumes. I’ve done hundreds of interviews, and I can tell you that non-verbal communication matters.

1. Make eye contact. It demonstrates confidence and that you’re paying attention. Don’t stare, but make sure you aren’t looking away. If you’re on a panel, be sure to address everyone and not just the person asking the question.
2. Check your posture. Sit up straight. Lean in slightly to show that you’re interested. Keep your hands visible and avoid crossing your arms, which will signal defensiveness.
3. Dress appropriately. Look up the company culture, and then dress one level up from that. When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
4. Your handshake. This is another opportunity to convey a strong non-verbal impression in the first few seconds when you meet the interviewer. Make sure it’s a firm handshake, not a break your hand off handshake, and look the interviewer in the eyes and smile while shaking the hand.

These non-verbal cues might seem insignificant, but they could also write a check in your next interview. Practice these cues until they become second nature. You want to appear confident and competent, not nervous and uncertain.

Effective Answering Techniques: The STAR Method

The STAR method is a great framework to answer behavioral questions. STAR stands for Situation Task Action Result. Here’s how to use it:

1. Situation: Provide the context. Where were you? What was happening?
2. Task: What was the problem you needed to solve?
3. Action: What did you do to solve the problem?
4. Result: What was the result? Use specific numbers if you can.

Here’s an example:

• Situation: “In my previous job, our team was behind on a major project.”
• Task: “I needed to figure out how to get our team to work more efficiently without sacrificing quality.”
• Action: “I introduced new project management software and restructured how we executed our work.”
• Result: “We finished the project two weeks early and under budget.”

You can adapt this framework to different question types. It’s great for discussing a challenge, success, or team question.

Avoid common STAR mistakes. The biggest mistake people make is talking too much. Keep your answers short and to the point. And don’t stretch the truth. Stick to real examples you can talk about with confidence.

The STAR method provides a framework to your answers. As long as you practice using it, you’ll be prepared to answer any behavioral question.

Handling Difficult Interview Questions

Every interview will throw you a few curveballs. What really matters is how you handle them. Here are some of the most challenging interview situations.

1. Employment gaps. Don’t worry about it. Just be honest and pivot to what you learned or accomplished during that time. Maybe you took some courses, did some volunteer work, or worked on personal projects.

2. Salary expectations. This can feel like a trick question. To avoid this, do your research before the interview. What is the industry standard salary for someone with your experience in this role? Provide a range for your salary expectations rather than a single number to give yourself some wiggle room.

3. Behavioral questions. You might not be ready for a behavioral question, but you can definitely still use the STAR method we discussed earlier. To do this, just have some versatile examples ready that you can mold to fit many different questions.

4. What are your weaknesses? Again, everyone has them. Just be sure to communicate both self-awareness and a plan to improve. Mention a real weakness, and then communicate the steps you’re taking to improve.

Remember, the interviewer isn’t asking these questions to be mean. They really just want to see how you think on your feet and solve problems. So stay calm, take a breath to collect your thoughts, and then answer truthfully.

Conducting Effective Interviews: Tips for Interviewers

As an interviewer, your objective is to identify the best candidate. It’s not about asking trick questions or trying to catch people off guard. It’s about setting up an environment where the candidate can demonstrate their abilities.

Have a process in place to interview. Have a set agenda of what you want to cover. This ensures you walk away with all the information you need and treats all candidates equally.

Create a relaxed environment. If the candidate is nervous, they won’t be able to fully display their abilities. Start the interview with just a casual conversation to help the candidate relax.

Ask open-ended and probing questions. These questions result in much more insightful answers. For example:

• “Tell me about a time…”
• “How would you deal with…”
• “What’s your strategy to…”

Active listening is key. Pay attention to what the candidate is saying. Take notes, although don’t let the note taking distract you from the conversation.

Remember, you’re not only evaluating the candidate’s skills. You’re also trying to decide whether the candidate will fit in well with the rest of your team and the company culture. Ask questions to understand the candidate’s approach to working with others and values.

Types of Interview Formats and How to Navigate Them

Interviews take many different forms, each with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s discuss the most common types of interviews and how to succeed in them.

1. One-on-one interviews: The majority of interviews are one-on-one interviews. These interviews allow for a deeper conversation and the ability to build rapport with your interviewer. Make eye contact, ask insightful questions, and be prepared to offer more detailed responses to your answers.

2. Panel interviews: A panel interview involves multiple people interviewing you at once. When answering a question, be sure to address the entire panel, not just the person who asked the question. If you’re unsure how to direct your response to, it’s okay to ask for clarification.

3. Group interviews: Group interviews are almost like a test to see how you interact with others. Be an active participant, but don’t dominate the conversation. You should showcase your ability to work and listen.

   
   

Video vs. phone interviews: Here’s a quick overview comparing video and phone interviews.

For video interviews, test your technology and background ahead of time. For phone interviews, have your resume and notes on hand.

Post-Interview Techniques: Following Up

The interview doesn’t end when you walk out the door. Your follow-up can make a lasting impression.

1. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Email is usually fine. Reference specific points from the interview to show you were engaged and interested.
2. Don’t pester them for a decision. If they gave you a timeline wait until after that before following up.
3. If you don’t get the job ask for feedback. Not all companies will provide this but it can be invaluable for future interviews.
4. Maintain professional relationships even if you don’t get the job. You never know when another opportunity might arise.
5. Remember every interview is a chance to learn and improve. Reflect on what went well and what you could do better next time. With practice and preparation you’ll become a master at interviewing.

Wrapping Up

Learning how to interview effectively is key to succeeding in today’s job market. I’ve watched many candidates completely turn their opportunities around by mastering these skills. You’re equipped to succeed in any interview format.

Just be sure to prepare diligently, do thorough research, and practice your interview responses. Your body language says a lot about you. Use the STAR method to demonstrate your accomplishments the right way. Maintain your confidence in responding to difficult questions. Interviewers can use these insights to run more effective interviews as well. Continue optimizing and you’ll differentiate yourself in today’s competitive job market.