How to speak in a job interview: 7 useful tips

Job interviews are almost always complex situations in which doubts and anxiety can easily appear. Of course, everything depends on the personality of each one and the context that has been lived during the previous days, but going through a selection process that could significantly change how our lives will be in the coming months, is something capable of putting our nerves on edge fur.

In this article we will see some tips on how to speak in a job interview from relatively simple and easy to remember guidelines.

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How to speak during a job interview

As much as you are someone who normally doesn't have too much trouble socializing or engaging in dialogue in non-formal settings, it is possible that you are afraid of the possibility of going soft, of saying something inappropriate, or not knowing how to make yourself understood in a job interview. A good part of these problems arise from the anxiety and fear produced by uncertainty and the doubts of not knowing what to do.

Therefore, following a series of guidelines on how to speak in a job interview can help you. Following you will find several key ideas to apply in that phase of the personnel selection process.

1. Do not abuse the crutches

Using informal expressions is not totally prohibited, but since you are interested in showing your most professional side, it is good to moderate its use. On the other hand, using any of them in a very specific way and showing that you are aware that their use is a kind of license to make you understand, usually conveys an impression of honesty and transparency, as long as it is not based on foul language.

2. avoid ramblings

Ambiguous and unclear answers, explaining secondary ideas and of little interest or little related to what we have been asked, is always something negative.

Therefore, even if the question to be answered puts us in an awkward situation, it is preferable to give a clear answer to making excuses for not giving the information that we are asks. That way, we'll at least show honesty, whereas if we beat around the bush, in addition to appearing uncooperative, interviewers tend to imagine the worst possible answer.

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3. Don't rush in the rate of 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 communicative style offers two advantages.

On the one hand, speak more slowly causes us to adopt a calmer mental and physiological state, and at the same time it will be less likely that problems such as getting stuck combining words or staying with a dry mouth will appear, phenomena that can make us feel more insecure. In short, it improves the quality of communication, as long as you don't speak extremely slowly. The key is not to pounce when pronouncing the words, rather than to make very long pauses between them.

On the other hand, it helps to mask the moments when we hesitate about what to say. But be careful, remember that you have to avoid going around the bush, and taking too long to respond can be interpreted as a variant of rambling.

4. Lean on non-verbal language

It is important that the nerves that you are going to experience do not limit your mobility. That's why, Accompany what you say with some hand gestures, although these should be rather subtle and not take away from your words (also, when sitting at 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 regards to the tonality and musicality of your way of speaking. The objective is to avoid using a tone that is too monotonous, which is very typical for some people who want to adapt to a very formal communication style. Of course, avoid consciously memorizing parts of what you want to say accompanied by a certain way of intoning, or it will be very artificial. It should arise spontaneously, without you dedicating effort to it..

On the other hand, it is very important to look into the eyes and project the voice well, without 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 you have to work 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 and present 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 referencing information in your resume, the interviewer or interviewer will have an easier time connecting the dots and knowing what you are talking about. Remember that the way in which you make yourself understood also has an impact on the way in which you are going to be valued.

7. Focus on your work and training experience

Remember that, unless they introduce other issues, these two aspects are the ones that most interest the people in charge of carrying out the selection process. Don't change the subject unless you have a very good excuse for it, and if you do, make sure it doesn't take too long to explain.