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Mastering Your Next Interview: The In-Person Interview

Mastering Your Next Interview: The In-Person Interview

If you started working during the COVID-19 pandemic and you’re in the job market right now, the chances are good that all your previous interviews have been virtual. While COVID-19 made virtual interviews a necessary practice, and while its popularity among employers has stuck post-pandemic, many employers have started reintroducing in-person interviews in their application processes.

In-person interviews are a crucial step in the hiring process, and we want to help you to make the most of this opportunity, make a strong impression, and show your potential employer that you are a strong all-around candidate.

In this article, we will share some benefits of in-person interviews and provide you with advice to help you to give a successful interview.

Benefits of an in-person interview:

(1) Improved Communication

Perhaps unsurprisingly, people overwhelmingly prefer to do in-person interviews, with 70% of respondents to a study by the American Staffing Association (ASA) confirming as much. Many people find it easier to communicate and build rapport when the barriers of a computer screen or telephone call are removed, allowing them to focus on the conversation and to pick up on details about the interviewer and the company that may have been missed otherwise.

(2) Increased Non-verbal Cues

Many people feel that in-person interviews better allow them to convey their personality through non-verbal cues. This increase in non-verbal cues generally help people to feel more positive and confident. As a result, both you and the interviewer can get a clearer perspective on how you feel about each other. You can also use non-verbal communication to gauge the tone of the conversation and the work environment, to see whether it is more formal or casual.

(3) Decreased Interruptions

Most people will conduct their virtual interviews from home, and this naturally comes with the potential for interruptions, whether it’s from noise or technical issues. In-person interviews avoid this by requiring you to meet at the employer's office or another quiet setting. And speaking of the potential for interruptions, remember to turn off your phone and to put it away.

Advice To Help You Succeed:

(1) Do Your Research

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” No matter what kind of interview you have coming up, the time spent preparing will be worth it. It will help you to go into the interview feeling more confident and with the ability to hit all the right notes. According to a study by Twin Employment, 47% of interviewers reported that they would not offer the position to a candidate if they had little knowledge of the company.  

Here are a few things to consider when preparing for your next interview:

  • Research the company, the industry in which that they operate, who their competitors are, and what current events have impacted the company and their industry.
  • Review the job description so that you can show that you understand the position and what is required, and so that you can clearly articulate your suitability and reasons for wanting the position.
  • If you know your interviewer’s name, try to find them on social media sites such as LinkedIn, so that you can use the gained information to create rapport during your conversation.

(2) Know What To Expect

There are many different types of interviews, and it is important to ensure that you have all the information that you require, so that you know what to expect from the interview and can prepare accordingly. This includes:

  • What the format of the interview will be and how long it is expected to take.
  • Who will be interviewing you.
  • Where and when it will be held.

(3) Plan What To Wear

Plan what you will wear to the interview well in advance, so that you are not worried about it on the day of the interview. Your appearance counts towards the interviewer’s first impression of you, and employers want to see someone who is polished and professional.

According to the study by the American Staffing Association (ASA), 66% of candidates put extra effort into selecting the clothes that they will wear for an interview. You can safely assume that the people who you are competing against for the position are paying attention to their appearances, so it is better to overdress rather than underdress. In addition, you can always ask about the dress code and choose your outfit accordingly, or if you don’t have someone to ask, you can research the company to learn what is appropriate.

(4) Arrive Early

The last thing that you want to be doing on the day of your interview is stressing about being late, so map out how you are going to get to the interview well in advance. And remember to account for times of peak traffic. On the day of the interview, we advise that you try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. You can also try to review the parking situation beforehand, although you may receive instructions from the company.

You want to put your best foot forward, and this includes being punctual and respectful of the interviewer’s time. In addition, if you do arrive early, it gives you a moment to collect yourself and to use the extra minutes to observe the workplace dynamics.

You should try to schedule the interview for a time when the odds of potential problems are as low as possible. Interviewers do, however, understand that life happens. If you need to reschedule due to sickness or issues with transport, or you see that you are going to be late to the interview, then it’s best to let the company know as soon as you can, so that they can reschedule your interview or plan accordingly for your late arrival.

(5) Connect With The Interviewer

In-person interviews offer a unique opportunity to connect with the interviewer. You want the interviewer to remember you for your personality and not just as a candidate who had the relevant qualifications and experience and the ability to give over-rehearsed, almost robotic answers.

Think of the interview as an opportunity to create a bond with the interviewer, while making yourself unique and memorable. Be ready to share stories and examples which will ensure that the points you make aren’t just generalisations, but also demonstrations of your behaviours, your choices, your growth and your character.

Keep in mind though that your time with each interviewer is limited. According to a study by Twin Employment, 33% of interviewers reported that they knew whether they would hire someone in the first 90 seconds of their interaction. So, remember to practice your answers beforehand, so that you can keep things concise and focused.

(6) Pay Attention To Non-verbal Signals

Take advantage of the fact that you are meeting in person and that you can see each other's body language. Note how your interviewer reacts to your responses, as it can help you gauge their interest. It can also give you an indication of whether you need to be more concise or provide clarification or elaboration on a topic.

If the in-person interview is the final step in the application process, remember that it’s important to be yourself and to show positivity with a smile and an upbeat attitude. This will help the interviewer relate to you more easily. It might also be the only time you meet with them in-person before starting the job, so you want them to buy into the authentic version of you, rather than an interview-only version.

(7) Maintain Professionalism

Finally, it’s always important to stay professional throughout the process. Every person you meet in the process becomes a part of your network, so whether or not you get an offer, and whether or not you decide to accept it, it’s important to always be professional and maintain relationships.

To the point of maintaining relationships, avoid speaking negatively about your previous employers. Instead, focus on what you learned, how you grew from those previous challenges and what you would like to do next. Also keep in mind that an interviewer may feel that you wouldn’t hesitate to talk badly about them too, if you talk badly about an old employer, and they may very well decide to draw the line at risking their hard-earned reputation.

 

At SA3, we know that the process of finding a new role can be daunting and we really want to help you. We want you to remember us for making your life easier. We know that good recruitment is more than just submitting a strong resume, and we also provide interview preparation services. Give us a call and put us to the test.

Author: Jurie Gouws