How to speak in a job interview: 7 useful tips
Several guidelines on how to respond in a recruitment interview.
Job interviews are almost always complex situations in which doubts and anxiety can easily appear. Of course, everything depends on the personality of each person and the context that has been living during the previous days, but going through a selection process that could significantly change how our life will be in the coming months, is something capable of putting the nerves to the surface.
In this article we will take a look at some tips on how to speak at a job interview, based on relatively simple guidelines. from relatively simple and easy to remember guidelines.
How to speak during a job interview
Even if you are a person who normally doesn't have too much trouble socializing or engaging in dialogue in non-formal settings, you may be afraid of the possibility of going soft, of saying something inappropriate, or of not knowing how to make yourself understood in a job interview.or not knowing how to make yourself understood in a job interview. Many of these problems arise from the anxiety and fear produced by the uncertainty and doubts of not knowing what to do.
Therefore, following a series of guidelines on how to speak in a job interview can help you. Below you will find several key ideas to apply in this phase of the personnel selection process.
1. Don't overuse crutches
Using informal expressions is not totally forbidden, but since you are interested in showing your most professional side, it is good to moderate their use. On the other hand, using some of them in a very punctual way and showing that you are aware that their use is a kind of license to make yourself understood, usually conveys an impression of honesty and transparency, as long as it is not based on foul language.provided that it is not based on foul language.
2. Avoid digressions
Ambiguous and unclear answers, explaining secondary ideas of little interest or little related to what has been asked, is always a negative thing.
Therefore, even if the question we are asked to answer puts us in an uncomfortable situation, it is preferable to give a clear answer than to make excuses for not giving the information requested. That way, we will at least give a sign of honesty, whereas if we beat around the bush, in addition to appearing uncooperative, interviewers are accustomed to imagining that we are not going to give the information, interviewers are likely to imagine the worst possible answer..
3. Don't speed up the pace of your speech.
This is one of the most important tips when it comes to knowing how to speak in a job interview, because opting for this style of communication offers two advantages.
On the one hand, speaking in a more leisurely way a calmer mental and physiological state, and at the same time, we are less likely to speak in a more relaxed manner.At the same time, we are less likely to experience problems such as slurred speech or dry mouth, which can make us feel more insecure. In short, it improves the quality of communication, as long as you do not speak extremely slowly. The key is not to rush when pronouncing words, rather than to pause too long between them.
On the other hand, it helps to mask the moments when we hesitate about what to say. But be careful, remember to avoid beating around the bush, and taking too long to respond may be interpreted as a variant of rambling.
4. Rely on non-verbal language
It is important that the nerves you are about to experience do not limit your mobility. Therefore, accompany what you say with some gestures, accompany what you say with some hand gestures, although these should be more of a hand gesture.Although these should be rather subtle and not take away the prominence of your words (besides, when sitting in front of a table, the range of movement of the arms is limited).
In addition, it is good that you train to work on the richness of your non-verbal language in terms of the tonality and musicality of your speech. The objective is to avoid using a tone that is too monotonous, which is very typical of some people who want to adapt to a very formal communicative style. However, avoid consciously memorizing parts of what you want to say accompanied by a certain way of intoning, or it will sound very artificial. It should come out spontaneously, without any effort on your part..
On the other hand, it is very important to look into the eyes and project your voice well, without it being too muffled by shyness or insecurity. This is something that many people master even in conversations where there is a certain degree of anxiety, but in some cases it is something that needs to be worked on.
5. Save the questions for last
It is important to show interest in the job offer and ask some questions about what we are curious about or need to know. However, it is preferable not to ask these questions just when they arise, but to remember them and ask them at the end of the interview. In this way we will not break the rhythm of the dialogue..
6. Make references to the CV
If you support what you are explaining by referencing the information contained in your résuméIf you do this, the interviewer will have a much easier time to make the connection and know what you are talking about. Remember that the way you make yourself understood also has an impact on the way you will be evaluated.
7. Focus on your work and educational experience.
Remember that, unless they introduce other topics, these two aspects are the ones that most interest the people in charge of carrying out the selection process. Do not change the subject unless you have a very good excuse to do so, and if you do, try not to take too long to explain it.
(Updated at Apr 12 / 2024)