Giving an interview

Prepare responses to possible interview questions. Whether you’re sitting for a job or journalistic interview, brush up on relevant topics in advance. Make a list of questions related to the job opening or the subject of the interview, and come up with concise, accurate responses.

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  For instance, common job interview questions include “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses,” and “What was your greatest accomplishment at your most recent position?”
  
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  Bring your notes with you, especially if you’re attending a job interview. You should also bring extra copies of your resume to a job interview.
  

Rehearse for the interview with a relative, friend, or coworker. Ask your helper to pose the practice questions you prepared. Preferably, rehearse with someone who’s conducted interviews and can give you solid feedback.

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  Practice your responses, but try not to provide stale, memorized answers in the actual interview. You want to be prepared, but you don’t want to seem robotic or over-rehearsed.
  

Do your best to relax and be yourself. If you get nervous just before the interview, take slow, deep breaths. Encourage yourself with positive thoughts, like “You can do this. You prepared, you know your stuff, and you’re going to be great!” Regardless of the type of interview you’re attending, you’ll perform at your best if you’re relaxed.

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  If you’re sitting for a media interview, see if you can schedule it in a comfortable setting, such as your home, office, or favorite coffee shop.
  

Keep in mind: Nonverbal communication speaks volumes. Do your best to project confidence with good posture, avoid clenching or wringing your hands, and make natural eye contact instead of looking down nervously.
Keep your responses concise. Avoid nervously rambling, oversharing, or going off topic. For a job interview, 2 to 3 sentences should be enough to cover most questions. A concise response shows the interviewer that you can think clearly and quickly on your feet.

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  If you’re asked about a professional accomplishment, a good answer could be, “At my last position in supply chain management, I oversaw a revamp of invoice procedures. By streamlining the invoicing process, I increased my department’s productivity by 7% and reduced invoice errors by 30%.”
  
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  As for media interviews, it’s wise to review what you’re not allowed to say ahead of time. For instance, if you’re giving an interview related to your job, check in with the company’s lawyers or review your non-disclosure agreement.