How to impress at a job interview

By Viqué-Ocean Kahinju

Interviews are often the most challenging part in the job search. A good resume and cover letter can get you an opening to a job interview, but the interview is what determines whether you get a job or not, says growth coach Peter Mulwana.

The associate member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development says one ought to get serious when it comes to interviews and here are some tips. 

Research the company

Finding out if the position is new or you are replacing someone else helps you to know and prepare the requirements for the position. The company's website, Google, LinkedIn and several other online sites, among other open sources, can be useful tools.

They can help you prepare and answer the tricky interview questions and prove to the interviewer that you are the right candidate for the job, Mulwana advises. "Avoid saying things you are not asked. Show that you understand the background of the company by providing intelligible answers," he adds.

"You may also ask questions about the company or comment on a few things the company has accomplished over the years. However, do not question the way the company does things, comment on bad reviews they have received or make recommendations to the interviewer about what the company should be doing better, unless requested," he adds.

Explore common questions

It is important to research what type of interview is going to be conducted and prepare responses to the expected questions. Also, you need to How to impress at a job interview focus on the commonly emphasised areas of the interview.

These often include confl ict resolution interview questions like what do you think is the best way to solve workplace confl icts and or how do you resolve a confl ict among coworkers. Teambuilding questions, such as, would you share a project with your colleagues and case study interview questions, such as, what findings did you get from researching a business project, are common. Competency-based interview questions such as can you work under pressure or can you handle urgent deadlines are vital to interview success, Mulwana says.

Stay upbeat

Avoid being boring by waiting for the interviewer to ask everything to the end of the interview, says Joshua Malinzi, an organisational psychologist at the Centre for Research in Employment, Skills and Society in Lugazi. "That tires out the interviewer and makes the interview one-sided," he adds.

"The interview should be a discussion and exchange of ideas." Engage the interviewer by asking insightful questions that stimulate a conversation. Such can include why they chose to work with the company or who their most successful employees are and why, Malinzi advises.

Make a good first impression

Your potential employer wants to know if you are a good fi t for the company's culture, whether you will get along well with other employees and treat the staff politely and respectfully. So, make a strong fi rst impression by showing courtesy, arriving on time, dressing appropriately, smiling, making eye contact, showing your enthusiasm and extending a firm handshake. First impression determines whether you will get the job or not, he warns.

Be confident

If you are confi dent in your abilities, your interviewer will believe in you. Do not pretend to be what you are not, he further says.

Be genuine

One of your goals as you deliver your answers in an interview should be dependability and honesty. Keep your answers to the point, but include strong examples of your accomplishments in your previous works, Malinzi adds.

Sell yourself

Do not be overconfi dent. Being ‘qualifi ed for the job' does not always mean you will get the job. It is not the most qualifi ed candidate that gets the job, rather the candidate who does the best job interview by demonstrating that they are the best candidate. So, effectively and persuasively communicate that you have the ability to meet all the needs of the organisation, relative to the position you want to fi ll, Malinzi adds.

Show your appreciation

As the interview comes to an end, express your sincere interest in the position and appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Start by thanking each person that interviewed you. As a matter of common courtesy, send each person a thank-you email or card following the interview. Writing a thank you note might just give you an edge over other candidates, Malinzi explains.