A personal meeting with a representative of the employer - either a human resources professional or the company owner themselves - can be a real challenge. Many applicants do not know how to behave correctly in an interview, which topics to discuss, what attire to choose for such an occasion, and so on. Even top experts are not immune to communication errors. Some people are thrown off by nervousness, while others fall victim to excessive self-assurance. The first thing you need to do is to calm down. On the other side of the table are just people, who are also susceptible to psychological tricks and hasty judgments.
For job seekers in the gambling industry, our job search website has gathered several tips that will help you boost your confidence and make an employer like you. Here are twelve life hacks that will help you shine in an interview:
- Choose the most favorable time.
- Highlight your strong qualities through a well-chosen image.
- Pay attention to your hands.
- Find common topics to talk about with the interviewer.
- Give sincere compliments.
- Mirror the movements and behavior of the interviewer.
- Talk about your experience from previous jobs.
- Confidently discuss your weaknesses.
- Radiate confidence.
- Express yourself clearly and eloquently.
- Be assertive and friendly at the same time.
- Demonstrate your potential.
Choose the most favorable time for the interview
If the employer offers you a choice of interview time, it is better to prefer Tuesday morning around 10:30. Monday is not the most favorable time for this purpose. However, by Tuesday, many employees have geared up for productive work after the weekend, and fatigue has not caught up with them yet. According to psychologists, this time corresponds to the highest efficiency for most office workers. They are in a good mood, and their energy has not been depleted. Therefore, there are more chances for the first interview to be successful.
Highlight your strong qualities in a well-chosen manner
In today's business etiquette, the rules of the office dress code have been softened. Business suits have ceased to be a mandatory requirement for most companies. However, before planning what to discuss in an interview, make sure your appearance is in line with the required image. Neatness, a subdued style, and appropriate clothing colors will make a positive impression on the interviewer and will not be a distracting factor during the scheduled meeting. It is worth following these recommendations regarding the choice of color palette:
- Team players often choose blue.
- Gray characterizes people with an analytical mindset.
- Leaders by nature prefer black.
- Creative individuals often opt for yellow, green, orange, or purple in their wardrobe.
- Brown indicates reliability, while white signifies organization.
The clothing you choose for the interview should be tried on in advance to ensure that you feel comfortable in it. If a new shirt is uncomfortable during the conversation, it can negatively impact your behavior and self-perception. Choose clothing that adds confidence and allows you to feel at ease.
First interview: how to behave and pay attention to your hands
Psychologists write entire scientific treatises on the significance of body postures, how a person sits or stands, the position of their hands, and how they tilt their head during a conversation. Typically, the hands remain visible during an interview. If you want to create a favorable impression at this crucial stage, consider a few nuances:
- Keep your palms open to demonstrate sincerity.
- Interlocking your fingertips signifies confidence.
- Inverted palms indicate a tendency towards dominance.
- Keeping your hands under the table is characteristic of reserved individuals.
- Excessive gesturing shows excessive emotionalism, even nervousness on the part of the applicant.
Avoid tapping on the table or folding your arms across your chest. These actions characterize you as impatient or fearful.
Find common topics to discuss with the interviewer
You can create a connection with the interviewer by finding something in common. For example, you may both enjoy long hikes in nature. Of course, during the first interview, it's not necessary to talk extensively about the beauties you've seen. A few sentences are enough to make the interviewer feel a sense of affinity towards you. You can delve into a more detailed discussion about the uniqueness of Lake Synevir after you land your dream job.
Give sincere compliments
Is there anyone who dislikes compliments and praise? It depends on the situation. If you show tact, avoid excessive flattery, and speak from the heart, the interviewer will appreciate it. Try to find kind words for both the interviewer and the company. After all, you paid attention to them for a reason, right? Highlight the advantages that you have identified.
Mirror the movements and behavior of the interviewer
Modern interview psychology talks about the chameleon effect, which refers to mirroring the habits, gestures, and expressions of the interviewer. If done subtly and intelligently, the interviewer will subconsciously perceive this behavior as a genuine interest in the conversation and, overall, in working for the company.
Share your experience from previous workplaces
You can make a positive impression by sharing successful experiences of launching new projects or personal achievements that contributed to the development of the company you worked for previously. However, be moderate in your statements, as excessive self-praise is also not recommended.
Feel free to talk about your weaknesses
It is incorrect to assume that you should only talk about your strengths during an interview. The interviewer may inquire about your weaknesses. Answer this question honestly but cautiously. Emphasize that while you acknowledge the existence of a problem, you are willing to work on resolving it.
How to behave confidently in an interview
First and foremost, it's important to believe in yourself. Good professionals often fail in their first interviews because they radiate insecurity and excessive nervousness, internalizing their stress. One way to overcome nervousness can be by controlling your breathing. Before entering the office, try the following exercise: take a deep breath through your nose, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat this five times in a row – it will normalize your pulse and reduce anxiety.
Express yourself clearly and eloquently
There is more than enough information on how to conduct yourself in an interview. Another important aspect is to speak in an articulate manner. Long monotonous speeches can bore and even annoy the interviewer. Speaking in a loud, commanding tone can leave the interviewer puzzled and hostile. Strive to speak clearly, coherently, without excessive verbosity or convoluted phrases.
Be assertive and friendly at the same time
Nervous individuals have lower chances of successfully passing an interview compared to others. The risk of failure increases because they appear unfriendly, frightened, and their competence is questioned. Train yourself to adopt a confident tone and behavior, but never aggressive. Maintain a balance.
Demonstrate your potential
It's important to focus not only on past achievements but also on the challenges you are ready to take on in the future. For example, whether you would be willing to relocate to Dnipro for a temporary job if you currently reside in Kyiv?
Combining confidence, friendliness, assertiveness, and openness, while also adapting to the situation, are the main factors for success in an interview. If you want to learn more about how to conduct yourself in an interview, what to include in your resume, cover letter, or how to build your portfolio, subscribe to our job search website updates and visit our social media pages!
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