Below are a few aspects that you should be rehearsing before your next job interview to help increase your chances:
· Practice focusing your discussion on the employer’s needs – The reason the employer has advertised the job is because the company has a need(s) that it needs someone to fulfil. Show that you understand those needs, that you possess the specific skills to handle the job, and that you are in sync with the company culture.
· Don’t discuss previous rejections – Interviews are about making the best possible impression you can. A lot of interviewees fall into the trap of discussing how they have interviews beforehand and failed. You should avoid this at all costs.
· Make eye contact, but don’t try for a laser lock on the interviewer – Eye contact is important in the interview. Not only does it show that you are listening & engaging but also the level of your interest. Don’t think you have to stare at them though as it sends the wrong message. You’re allowed to blink!
· Develop and practice justifiably proud statements of your accomplishments – An employer wants to see through your responses how you have used skills. Make sure you rehearse backing you answers with specific examples of how they were used in your previous jobs.
· Don’t practice long monologues – For the job interview, the old saying ‘Less is better’ is such a true statement. Interviewees who give long-winded explanations can end up boring the interviewer. When rehearsing your responses, keep them short and to the point. You want to keep the interviewer interested, not bored!
Rehearsing may feel daft for some, but the more you rehearse, not only do you feel more comfortable, but also it can also increase your confidence levels. Make sure that you don’t over rehearse; you don’t want your responses to the interview to sound robotic!