How To Successfully Communicate In An Interview

Source: WikiHow

Communicating effectively is one of the key steps toperforming well in a job interview. Good communication lets an interviewer know you’re articulate, educated and personable and it helps you get your important qualifications known.

Here are a few pointers of how to communicate effectively in a job interview so you make a good impression on potential employers.

How To Communicate In an Interview

1. Utilize small talk
Communicate effectively in a job interview by using the small talk at the beginning to your advantage. Smile, respond to pleasantries and be sure to shake your interviewer’s hand.

The small talk exchanged at the beginning of the interview will help the interviewer gain an understanding of your personality and how you communicate with people.

2. Stay positive
Effective communication during a job interview should focus on positive or neutral topics, not negative ones. Avoid mentioning any negative news issues or controversial current events that will cause the mood of the interview to shift in a negative direction.

3. Answer the questions
Communicate clearly in a job interview by answering the questions you’re asked without elaboration or extra examples. Your interviewer will ask for examples if they’re needed.

Answer questions thoroughly and completely, but don’t ramble or stray far from the original questions asked.

4. Be professional
Your interviewer will likely be friendly and might try to make you feel comfortable, but this doesn’t mean you should treat the interviewer like your friend. Remember that you’re in a business setting, interviewing for a professional position and conduct yourself accordingly.

5. Skip the slang
Speak professionally during your interview with complete sentences and no slang terms. This doesn’t mean using big words outside your normal vocabulary. Just speak in a professional, polished way.

6. Avoid “um”
Avoid using filler words like “um” or “like” in sentences or to fill gaps in the conversation when you’re speaking during the interview. This habit will make you sound unpolished and unprofessional.

Practice conducting a lengthy conversation with a friend and focus on eliminating these words from your speech if this is something you tend to do when you’re nervous or speaking in public.

7. Let the interviewer run the interview
It’s important to let your interviewer steer the interview in the direction he wants it to go. Don’t interrupt him or change topics if he’s discussing something.

Ask for a moment at the end of the interview if you feel you have an important qualification to mention or skill that you would like to highlight.

8. Breathe
Take a few deep breaths to calm down if you feel yourself getting nervous or overwhelmed during the interview. This pause will help you regain focus and maintain your level of confidence.