Interview skills that college students should pay attention to

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This post was last edited by wolfhhhhm on 2015-7-30 at 16:57. 1. Basic etiquette during interviews (1) Once an interview time is agreed upon with the employer, it is essential to arrive at the interview location 5-10 minutes early to show sincerity as a job seeker and to earn the employer’s trust. It also allows time to adjust one’s mindset and make minor preparations in terms of appearance, so as to avoid being caught off guard and acting in a flustered manner. To do this, it is essential to keep in mind the time and place of the interview. Those who can afford to do so had better go there in advance to avoid being late due to difficulty finding the location or delays on the way. If you are late, it will definitely leave a bad impression on the recruiter, and you might even lose the opportunity for an interview. 　　(2) Don’t be nervous when entering the interview venue. 　If the door is closed, one should knock first and enter only after getting permission. The action of opening and closing the door should be gentle; it’s best to do it in a calm and natural manner. When meeting, greet the recruiter proactively and use appropriate titles. Do not rush to sit down unless the employer asks you to. When the employer asks you to sit down, you should say “Thank you.” After sitting down, maintain a proper posture; avoid looking around carelessly or acting indifferent, as this may cause displeasure. When leaving, ask, \"Is there anything else you would like to ask?\" Once you get permission, stand up with a smile, express your thanks, and say \"Goodbye.\" 　　(3) Answer each of the employer’s questions one by one. 　When the other party explains things to you, listen carefully. To show that you have understood and are interested, you can nod at the appropriate time or ask appropriate questions and give responses. When answering the examiner’s questions, speak clearly, use a moderate volume, and provide concise and complete responses. Under normal circumstances, one should not interrupt the employer’s questions or rush to answer them, as this can give the impression of being impatient, reckless, and impolite. After the questioning, you can ask to repeat it if you don’t understand. When unable to answer a question, one should tell the employer the truth; being vague or making up answers will lead to failing the interview. Be patient with repeated questions as well, and don’t show impatience. 　　(4) Throughout the entire interview, maintain polite and graceful behavior, speak in a humble and cautious manner, and exhibit a positive and enthusiastic attitude. 　If there are two or more examiners at the employer’s site, you should look at the person asking the question, while also glancing at the other examiners from time to time to show respect for them. During the conversation, one should make eye contact with the other party at appropriate times; avoiding glancing around in a careless manner, as well as avoiding looking down, which can convey a lack of confidence. It is also unwise to argue passionately with the employer over certain issues – it is better to remain calm and maintain a composed attitude. Some employers deliberately ask unreasonable questions to test your reaction; if not handled properly, it can easily lead to losing one’s composure, and the outcome of the interview will obviously not be satisfactory. 　　2. Test-takers’ language use skills The art of expressing oneself verbally in an interview reflects one’s level of maturity and overall competence. For job seekers taking exams, mastering language expression skills is undoubtedly important. So, how should one make proper use of conversation skills during an interview? (1) Speak clearly, fluently, and in a polite manner. When speaking, pay attention to accurate pronunciation and clear enunciation. 　It is also important to control the speaking speed to avoid stutters and maintain fluency in speech. To enhance the charm of language, one should pay attention to rhetorical elegance, avoid using clichés, and certainly not use vulgar language. 　　(2) Use a calm tone, appropriate intonation, and moderate volume. During an interview, pay attention to the proper use of language, tone, and intonation. When greeting, it is appropriate to use intonation, emphasizing the words and drawing out sounds to draw the other person’s attention. When introducing yourself, it is best to use a calm, declarative tone; exclamation marks or imperative sentences should be avoided. A volume that is too high is annoying, while a volume that is too low makes it difficult to hear clearly. The volume level should be adjusted according to the conditions at the interview site. When having a face-to-face conversation at close range, one should not speak too loudly; in group interviews held in spacious areas, one should not speak too softly. The goal should be to ensure that every employer can hear you clearly. 　　(3) The language should be subtle, witty, and humorous. When speaking, in addition to being clear, it is appropriate to incorporate humorous remarks at the right moments, which helps create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere in the conversation, as well as showcasing one’s superior temperament and composed demeanor. Especially when faced with difficult questions, witty and humorous language can demonstrate one’s intelligence, help turn a tricky situation around, and leave a good impression. 　　(4) Pay attention to the listener’s reactions. A job interview is different from giving a speech; it is more like a regular conversation. During a conversation, one should always pay attention to the listener’s reactions. For example, if the listener is distracted, it may indicate that they are not interested in what you are saying, and you need to find a way to change the subject; if they listen attentively, it might mean that your voice is too soft and makes it difficult for them to hear you; frowning or shaking one’s head could suggest that there is something inappropriate in what you are saying. Based on these reactions from the other party, one must adjust their language, tone, intonation, volume, and rhetorical techniques in a timely manner, as well as the content of what is being said. Only in this way can a good interview outcome be achieved. 　　3. Techniques for using gestures in exams In fact, in everyday communication, people use gestures, consciously or unconsciously, to help express their intentions. So, how should gestures be used correctly during an interview? (1) Gestures to show attention. 　When talking to others, be sure to show attention to what they are saying, and indicate that you are listening attentively. Only when the other person feels that their words are being paid attention to and understood can they listen to you happily and attentively, and develop a positive impression of you. This is especially true during interviews. The gestures that generally indicate concern are: placing both hands together in front of the mouth, or putting fingers under the ears; or crossing the arms and leaning forward. 　　4. Techniques for candidates to answer questions (1) Focus on the key points, be concise and clear, well-organized, and well-supported with reasons. In general, when answering questions, it is necessary to present the conclusion first and then the discussion; first clarify your main point, and only afterward provide explanations and arguments. Otherwise, long-winded explanations will fail to convey the essential points. The interview time is limited, and I get a bit nervous; there are too many unnecessary words, which can cause the conversation to deviate from the topic, thereby diluting it or causing important points to be overlooked. 　　(2) Explain the details clearly and avoid abstraction. 　Employers ask questions in order to learn more about the specific circumstances of candidates; it is certainly not sufficient to answer simply with “yes” or “no”. Depending on the specific question raised, some require an explanation of the reasons, while others need an indication of the extent. Without explaining the details, overly abstract answers often fail to leave a concrete impression on the examiner. 　　(3) Confirm the content of the question and avoid answering off-topic. During an interview, if you are unsure about the meaning of a question posed by the employer and don’t know where to start answering or find it difficult to understand the question, you can repeat it and first share your own understanding of it, asking the employer for confirmation. For issues that are not clear, it is essential to figure them out clearly, so as to address them appropriately and avoid giving irrelevant answers. 　　(4) Have personal opinions and a distinct personality. Employers sometimes receive several candidates, asking the same questions repeatedly and listening to similar answers over and over again. Therefore, employers may find it boring and dull. Only answers that possess unique personal insights and characteristics can attract the other party’s interest and attention. 　　(5) If you know it, say you know it; if you don’t know it, say you don’t know it. When faced with questions during an interview that one does not know, understand, or how to answer, it is not advisable to avoid the question, remain silent, make up answers, or pretend to know. Instead, admitting one’s shortcomings honestly and frankly will earn the interviewer’s trust and goodwill.