Nuts and bolts of interview room delivery

A good and shinning curriculum vitae (CV) that we discussed last week only helps you to make it on the shortlist of the candidates to be interviewed for the job you seek. You need to perform well in the actual interview for you to actually get the job. There are many things that you need to demonstrate in the interview room for you to beat the rest of the candidates. Below are five of the key attributes that you must make sure you demonstrate better than the rest of the candidates that you are competing against:

1. Passion: Show that you are so passionate about the job. You can show this in the way you speak. Choose the words and make sentences that demonstrate passion for the job. Express yourself in a very passionate manner. Do not speak as if someone pushed you to come to the interview. Smile and show that you are enjoying the interview because you expect to enjoy the job. If you equal in everything else with another candidate, passion may be the soft attribute that may make you win it!
2. Confidence: Exude confidence as you present your case to be employed. Confidence is everything. Confidence wins hearts and minds. Speak with belief in what you say and in yourself. Do not hesitate or doubt. Speak to convince. If you do not believe what you say, would you reasonably expect others to believe what you say? What reason would they have to believe you if you sound like you doubt? Have no doubt. Speak with conviction, belief and power so that you can be taken seriously and so that the panel can adopt your facts.
3. Structure: Let every answer you present have a good structure. Every answer must have three parts to it. Start with the opening. In this part of your answer, it helps to paraphrase the question to show that you understand it. Paraphrasing the question also gives your brain the chance to work out the main thrust of your answer. The other part of your opening should be the gateway to your main point. Then go into the main body of your answer. If you are to give two or three or more points, then all these form the main body of your answer. Do not just list the points, you need to explain each one of them, along with the sub-points if any. Where possible, share illustrations, experiences, anecdotes and so on. Then comes the conclusion. This is the summary of your answer. Make it succinct, only dealing with the key points in brief.
4. Connection: As you speak, you need to make sure that you build and sustain a good connection with the panel. Build and sustain a good rapport with them. I have seen and heard panellists saying they do not recommend a candidate because he or she did not connect with the panellist in question. It is difficult to prescribe how you can build a connection with the panel. Most of the advanced ways will come with trial and experience. The basic ones include ‘eye contact’, respect and calmness. Connect through eye contact with each of the members of the panel. Look at them professionally and gradually scan through the panel. Demonstrate that you have respect for the panel as individuals and as professionals, even when you are the subject matter expert in an area that the panel is alien too. If you can add being calm to it then you are right on the path towards winning the job!
5. Preparedness: Many people fail the interview because they fail to demonstrate that they have prepared well enough for the interview. Do not be like them. Prepare thoroughly for the interview. During the interview, you need to now demonstrate the preparedness. The panel will be assured that in your job too, you are the sort of person that will always be prepared and ready for the challenges as they keep unfolding. In preparing for the job, make sure you know what the job is all about, understand the vision, mission and values of the recruiting organisation. n