Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
1. MAKE IT MEMORABLE
Some job aspirants have this idea that sitting quietly and answering all the interviewer’s questions correctly will land them the job. They are wrong! Interviewers can easily forget you if you do not stimulate their intellect.
To make your interview memorable you must take the conversation off script and ask sensible questions about the company. Make your interviewer think beyond the standardized script by giving substantial answers (about important topics including position challenges and solutions) to his open-ended questions. Towards the end of the interview ask how you can potentially improve the company upon receiving the position.
2. SPEAK IN THEIR LANGUAGE
I am not saying to have the conversation all in your mother tongue but a few phrases will not hurt! In fact, beginning in the language that the interviewer understands help build rapport. If you know that your interviewer is Japanese, greet him with the phrase: “O Genki desu ka?” Use “Nǐ hǎo ma?” if your interviewer speaks Mandarin and “Kamusta ka?” if he speaks Filipino.
As for the awkward pauses, refrain from saying “Ummm” or “Ahhh” in face-to-face or phone interviews. Instead you must smile and speak clearly.
Note: The foreign languages underwent Romanization for your understanding.
3. PRACTICE YOUR RESPONSES
Most likely, questions like “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “Why should we hire you?” will come up. So look up the common job interview questions online and have some ready-made answers for each. Brainstorm your ideas with a trusted friend or partner to ensure that your answers cover every aspect of the job description. Rehearse these responses days before the interview.
4. ACE A PHONE INTERVIEW
Just because the interview is made through the phone, does not mean that you can talk informally. Treat it the same way as you would treat a face-to-face interview. Ensure that you have a copy of your C.V. and the original job description at all times. Also, you must equip yourself with writing materials for note taking and sensible questions for the interviewer.
5. BUILD A NEW RELATIONSHIP
Aside from making the interview memorable through your intellect and logic, you can also add a dash of humanity. Humanity in a sense of social interactions and building rapport. Once you built rapport and the conversation is going smoothly, the interviewer can associate you with positive feelings such as warmth and friendliness.
Everyone else is just an image on a piece of paper but you will standout because you built a new (humanistic) relationship with the interviewer.
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
