How can I better my interviews?

Can you give me some tips on how I can do better at interviews?

  • Hi! I hope you guys can help me. I am an online freelancer and I get a lot of interview invitations, but as soon as I attend my interviews, my chances of being hired becomes zero. I am really terrible when it comes to oral communciation. I am awkward and shy and I don't get to practice my English a lot because my family aren't English speaking and not even educated beyond high school. I feel frustrated about it. I can express myself better in writing. I have below average grades in college (but I never failed a subject), I am hardworking and creative, but I just don't know how to get people (interviewers, specifically) to like me. I feel like I'm smarter than the average worker, but I'm just terrible with interviews. Please help me!

  • Answer:

    Aside from being sufficiently prepared, I do make a conscious effort to try a couple of tricks. Tell stories. When asked about generic fit questions or just describing your experience so far, I find that structuring the answer like a story helps. Start with the build up, explain the conflict then finally the resolution. Answers should be a narrative of your experiences rather than a list of points that would bore an interviewer. Keep your energy levels up As someone who isn't particularly extroverted or energetic, I find that getting psyched up helps. My first real job had a nearly botched phone interview. Due to time difference, my phone interview was actually one day before rather than the next day. I received the call from my future boss while on the streets carrying a carton of beer heading home. I ran to the nearest apartment to find a quiet spot heart beating and all sweaty. Does seem to help think clearly.:)

Lau Junyuan at Quora Visit the source

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Prepare,Prepare,Prepare I don't mean that you should memorize your interview questions. But prepare as much as you can. I don't think i have ever met someone who told me "I made a mistake by doing too much preparation for that interview". Here are some key things to prep for 1. Your work history. This is ironic-  go back to your past history and make a note of all the significant accomplishments , your metrics,etc. When there are numbers and stats involved it is hard to memorize - so jot that down on a paper. You can refer to these stats and numbers during the interview (nobody will object). I always carry details of my past Sales results, % over Quota, etc. 2. Your resume - know your resume inside and out. Most interviewers will use your resume to ask most of the questions. Learn it, don't be caught off-guard if they ask you a question from your resume. 3. About the company Learn about their products, CORE VALUES, customers, strategies,etc. Be prepared to ask meaningful questions. A successful candidate asks questions other candidates won't. Give it your best shot and forget the rest. Remember you are not looking for A job, but you are looking for THE job - the job and the company you can maximize your skills & stay long-term.

Nissar Ahamed

Maintain below 4 things in order of their priority for a good interview. 1)Communication skills(words,body language,voice, listening) 2)Leadership quality. 1&2 can make you select if you have both just by 85%-90%  of luck . 3)Depth of knowledge base. 4)çonfidence. Here are some useful points that might help to crack a :::: "GROUP DISCUSSION":::: particularly during interviews. #Always sit exactly in front of the interviewer so that he doesnt need to turn all around to just listen to you with bunch of people sitting beside you. #Keep ur voice pitch upto level,not too high or too low. #If someone interrupts u,never stop your talks,overtake them and  keep talking your thoughts,dont give them the chance. #You got to make atleast 5 entries any how do as to make an impression on interviewers mind. #As GD starts ,INIATIATOR has to introduce himself by his name +college name+topic name and then his opinions on topic .Later people can start the (debate and discussion) and keep going. #Never ever ask for the change of topic ,else you would be the first person to be kicked out or whole group can be thrown out depending on interviewers patience. #Don't shake your leg,don't look up or down(it shows you are tensed)always make an eye contact on person who is speaking at that time and on  everyone . #Never show your frustration or anger by your words by lifting ur hands or pointing out in group. # Just keep giving minimum 6 entries of talk in group in 8 min of time striking interviewer's ears with you thoughts and voice. #Be focused on the topic very deeply. #always when you put ur words say ur name in that like "This is what *Your name* feels ",so that interviewer can remember ur name very well and have better chance of getting selected. And only one person can conclude.One initiation and one Conclusion.. May be or may not be the same person. #Your every entry must be atleast 6-7 sentences of talk continuously. #Never ever dare to say 'wait a minute I got to complete my sentence' or 'give me chance to complete my words'.....its horrible if u say that and you can get rejected. #Legs at proper position ,not overlapping or crossed or too apart ...just in good comfortable position with each hand on chair side or on each lap . Not  interlocked. #Don't adjust your sleeves or belt  during talks .Dress up properly and go. #Always keep a good smile on your face. #Dont take your personal examples to explain the points.Just let it be  general and  good.  Easily acceptable kind of. #Interviewer gives an clear indication of end of GD by saying "okay guys lets wind up or  lets conclude the talk or anything else "only when he says this you got to stop ,till then you can  speak about the topic.    #Dont talk anything after  the topic is once concluded by a single person. #Sit straight n not leaned or look dumb. #have good accent and  clear speech. #Never help ur friend or prompt anything to him /her.Because you are there for yourself. #Have great presence of mind ,cover all good points .Don't B repetitive.

Akshay Kulkarni

Some interview tips which you may like to use:   1. You can take some verbal English speaking lessons.   2. You mentioned that you do not get opportunities to speak English. If not family, you might be having some friends with whom you may speak. If not, then based on your profile, you can list down some practice suggestive questions (which an interviewer might ask, such questions are freely available on google). Before going for the interview, you can practice answering them looking in the mirror. This will help you gain confidence and also speak flawlessly. Also, by looking in the mirror, you will get to know where you are at fault.   3. Ensure that you have subject knowledge of what you have mentioned in your CV before appearing for the interview (very important) - there is no compromise on that.   4. Please do a dry run of as if you have appeared for an interview - this should be done wearing the formal set of clothes which you plan to wear on the day of your actual interview. During this dry run, you can actually walk as if you have just entered an office, shake hands with somebody (maybe a friend) as if he were the interviewer, and then do your practice questions.   All the above suggestions will help you boost your confidence levels. And you will feel more prepared.   If these tips do not help you, then using NLP, there are certain techniques like anchoring, framing, reframing, etc. which can help further. All the best!

Monica Chetal

The best http://blog.myjobhelper.com/2014/10/10/9-etiquette-tips-nailing-next-interview/are common sense ones. It's so simple, people forget to do it while struggling to rehearse answers or talk themselves up. Relax. That's all one needs to do to make the interview work in their favor. Remember to breathe, and let your answers flow naturally. Follow the aforementioned tips with an air of professionalism and calm and the interviewer will interpret that as experience and confidence.

Laura Butler

You might find some meaningful insights in this LinkedIn Pulse post -https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stressed-your-job-interview-gagan-sarawgi?trk=prof-post

Gagan Sarawgi

When answering your questions, make it about the interviewer and the respective organization, and not solely about you. Do mention your success stories, but make sure to talk about how you can add value to the company and what you will be able to do differently. Here is a few more tips on how to be well prepared for your interview: http://blog.bayt.com/2014/07/10-steps-to-a-good-job-interview/

Akshera Rai

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