Generally, people recognize steps that they should take to prepare for an interview, such as performing research on the company and practicing commonly asked interview questions.  However, many people still get nervous when thinking about how to interact with the interviewer, especially now that most interviews are conducted through Zoom or another kind of video calling software.  Below are several techniques that can help you prepare for your interview and relate to your interviewer better:

1. Plan a structure for your answers. Many employers recommend using the STAR method for structuring responses, which stands for Situation, Tasks, Actions, and Results.  This is especially helpful for questions regarding how you plan processes for different tasks or when describing your organizational methods.
2. Mirror the interviewer’s behavior.  Take note of the interviewer’s mannerisms, such as posture, hand gestures, or how they are communicating with you.  By presenting similar behaviors as the interviewer, they will relate to you more and notice similarities.  
3. Be aware of your own movements.  Fidgeting and small movements are always distracting, but these can be more noticeable through video calls.  Make sure that you are properly placed to be inside of the camera frame, and that you aren’t adjusting positions or moving your chair around during the call.
4. Make conversation with the interviewer. An interview does not have to be strict back-and-forth questions and answers for the entire period.  Ask the interviewer questions about themselves and their company and try to find commonalities between yourselves.  This will make the conversation more memorable and make you seem more likeable and approachable.  It also proves to the interviewer that you are interested in their history and what they’re doing, rather than just talking about yourself. 
5. Take your time to think about your answers. If you do not have an immediate response for a question, it is ok to say you’d like a few moments to think about your answer.  In addition to giving yourself time to think about an example to the question they asked, it also gives you time to fully form your answer and avoid using filler words such as “um” or even saying “I don’t know” to the interviewer.  
6. Be enthusiastic.  Be excited about your interview, and show your genuine self to the interviewer.  Make sure to thank them for their time speaking to you, and tell them that you are interested in their company by giving them specific reasons and examples.  Express why you are excited for the position and why you think you would be a great fit (without bragging).    

 

 

 

Using these techniques in an interview will help you to foster a genuine connection with the interviewer and will ensure that your conversation was memorable.  What tips do your hiring teams have for interviewees to create connections with you?