Introduce yourself by stating your name, the position you are interviewing for, and a brief summary of your relevant qualifications. Speak in a clear, confident, and professional manner. If you are interviewing over Zoom or MS Teams etc., check with your interviewer if they can hear you.
The first thing you could talk about is your interest in the position and the company. Express why you are interested in the job, and what you can bring to the company.
Then, highlight your relevant qualifications, skills, and experience. Use specific examples from your past experience to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company.
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications in depth, and be able to provide concrete examples of your skills and achievements. Be articulate on how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the position.
It would be good to mention any research done on the company, its mission, values, and goals and how they align with your goals and values.
It’s also a good idea to ask thoughtful questions about the position and the company. This shows that you have done your research, and you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prep for your interview:
- Start with a strong, confident introduction that includes your name, the position you’re interviewing for, and a brief summary of your relevant qualifications.
- Appearance matters. Make a good first impression by dressing professionally and arriving on time.
- Show enthusiasm for the position and the company, and express why you are interested in working there.
- Use specific examples from your past experience and skills to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company.
- Be honest and transparent about your strengths and weaknesses.
- Show that you have done research on the company and have a good understanding of its mission, values, and goals.
- Show that you are a good fit for the company’s culture and work environment.
- Ask thoughtful questions about the position and the company.
- Thank the interviewer for their time and express your interest in the position.
- Follow up with a thank-you note or email after the interview to reiterate your interest in the position and to thank the interviewer for their time.
Know Their Names
The first and most important point – Know beforehand who you are interviewing with.
How: Email or call the HR or recruiting manager to know who all you’d be interviewing. Email is better since you can have the correct spellings of all those you would be meeting for the interview. This might be very helpful if you are supposed to be in multiple or group interviews through the day.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier at the meeting place (not the parking lot – I really mean at the interview venue, in the lobby or outside the room where you are to be interviewed) than the scheduled time, giving yourself time to adjust to the surroundings and calm your nerves.
Depending on the country culture, level of formality, you’d know whether to address the interviewer by first name or make it formal by using Ms / Dr / Mr prefix to their surnames. When in doubt go the formal way.
With a polite smile and short firm handshake say, ” Hello, Ms Smith. It’s great to meet you. I’m Chris Porter.”
Now what?
Before the interview begins, your interviewer might ask you if you want something to drink or any questions you have. Be prepared for the answers, arriving earlier to the venue will give that chance to feel comfortable.
Let the interviewer lead you to the interview room and he/she may suggest a place to sit. Do not sit before they do, there might be an assigned seat for the interviewee. Settle in by adjusting your belongings around your seat. You might find these tips helpful now: