Pay Attention To The Smallest Details in a Job Interview

It is not always what you say that communicates your message in a professional environment. Sometimes your non-verbal cues such as body language or even where you sit can do a lot to communicate your message. This is especially true in a job interview environment.

Interviews can be intimidating, which is why it is important to stay strong and project confidence. Having strong communication skills, and saying the right thing is only half the battle. The impression that you leave in these kinds of environments is often in the smallest of details.

Single Interviewer Job Interview

It is important to sit directly across from the interviewer. This infographic can help you get an idea of the best types of places to sit in several professional environments.

It is also good manners to wait to ask to be seated. Make sure that you are sitting up straight, with good posture. Slouching or leaning over can give an impression of indifference in how you portray yourself, and to the job itself.

When the interviewer is talking, you can lean in slightly closer in order to convey that you are listening to what they have to say. It is also important to avoid fidgeting, because it makes you appear distracted.

It is acceptable to show some emotion as you listen and talk. Smile as you listen. Furrow your brow if you are talking about a difficult challenge that you have faced in the past. Maintaining eye contact with your interviewer also helps to project confidence.

If you find yourself walking with the interviewer for any length of time, make sure that you keep up, and do not lag behind. If you find yourself standing on your feet for any length of time, make sure to stand on two flat feet. You will want to resist the urge to rock back and forth, because it conveys nervousness. You will also want to resist the urge to lean on a hip because it comes across as too casual.

Group Panel Interview

Sometimes you may be placed in a panel interview. Whether you are the single candidate talking with multiple interviewers, or there are multiple candidates in the room applying for the same position, it can be an intimidating process.

The important thing is to project confidence. That requires strong communication skills, but it also requires paying attention to the smaller details. Your interviewer will be paying close attention to how you project yourself.

Make sure that you have paid attention to hygiene, and that your clothes look professional and sharp. If you are the lone interviewee, try to sit across from your interviewers. That way you can pay attention to each of them, and make eye contact as needed. You will also want to make sure that you are placing your belongings on the floor, not on the table, where they could potentially obstruct your view.

Many of the same principles apply if you are in a pool of candidates interviewing with a single interviewer. First impressions will be critical at this juncture, because they are evaluating a group at one single time.

Make sure not to show surprise or annoyance if you are unexpectedly thrust into a group interview. If you know ahead of time that you will be in a group interview, make sure that you prepare in advance for some of the questions you might face, and how you want to answer them.

If you are interviewed with other candidates, you may want to take the approach of leading, and not following. For instance, when it is your turn to answer questions, do your best to come up with an answer that is original. If you simply restate the same answer as other candidates, you run the risk of blending into the background.

Source: B2C_Business

Pay Attention To The Smallest Details in a Job Interview