Archive for July 2018

Listen to understand, not to respond During your interview, it’s only natural to try and form responses or follow-up questions while your interviewer is talking to reduce the silences. Resist this urge and really focus on what the person across from you is saying. They’re asking a question for a very specific reason and will want a thoughtful answer that speaks to all parts of what was asked. By starting to formulate your response too early, you run the risk of missing crucial information or not hearing everything they want you to address. Taking a second after the question to collect your thoughts is much better than coming across as inattentive or unfocused.

Don’t start at the beginning During an interview, you’ll almost always be asked about your experience. It may seem tempting to start with your education and end with your latest and most relevant work. However, your interviewer might stop you at any time to ask for more details or to move to another question. This leaves you at risk of never getting to the experience you feel most qualifies you for the prospective position. Start from your most recent experience and work your way back. This will make sure the interviewer is fresh and attentive when you’re talking about your most relevant employment. You also won’t have to worry about spending too much time talking about an entry level role or internship and not leaving enough time for your latest experience.

Color yourself prepared When it’s time for a face-to-face interview, a few subtle notes can really enhance your professional attire. Wear light-colored, well-pressed clothes to make your outfit easier on your interviewer’s eyes. Also, try to avoid bright red as this can set off subconscious warning signs. Loud patterns, bright jewelry and eye-catching accessories also run the risk of diverting your interviewers attention onto what you’re wearing instead of what you’re saying. When it comes to an interview, you can’t go wrong with subtle pastels, black and browns. It may seem like a very small aspect of the interview, but you never want your appearance distracting from your experience.