Mila Weeteling
April 16, 2024
Will you soon be in the spotlight as an interviewee? That can be quite exciting. Get ready for a relaxed and confident interview with these 7 tips.
Will you soon be in the spotlight as an interviewee? That can be quite exciting. Get ready for a relaxed and confident interview with these 7 tips.
To ensure that you, as an interviewee, enter the interview prepared, you can take the following points into account:
• What is the subject of the interview? You can always request that you view the questions in advance.
• What is the reason you or your organization are being asked to be an interviewee?
• When and where will the interview be held? If the interview is conducted by phone, find a quiet spot.
• What medium is the interview for? For example, is it for a blog, or is it a radio- whether television interview?
• Plan enough time for the interview.
• What type of interview is it? Are you the only one being interviewed about this topic? If more people are interviewed, does this happen separately or simultaneously?
• Dive into the topic of conversation and think about what you'd like to say beforehand so you don't forget it.
• Make clear agreements in advance about reading the final interview or listening/watching the recordings. This is because you can still check the text for inaccuracies.
By delving into the interview and the topic, you will become more confident during the interview. Try not to come up with all your answers beforehand, as this will make the spontaneity disappear from the interview.
Feel free to take the time to understand the interviewer's questions. It's okay to pause to think about your answer. If you find the question unclear, ask what is meant.
Also, listen carefully to the conclusions that the interviewer makes during the interview. This allows you to immediately check whether the interviewer has understood your story. If something is missing, you can tell us immediately as an interviewee.
If you can't answer a question, explain why that is the case.
The interviewer listens to your answers and co-writes. As an interviewee, you may consciously think about what you say, but try to let go of this. By simply telling your story, the interview becomes more spontaneous and the end result also gets better. Just avoid blurting out all sorts of things, because your statements can be taken word for word.
It is possible that there are silences during the interview. This can be done consciously by the interviewer. You don't have to fill the silences if there's nothing you want to say.
Also, pay attention to what you say before and after the interview. This is because these conversations can also be used.
As an interviewee, try to take the audience into account, and avoid technical jargon unless you're sure that the interviewer and audience understand you. Explain any difficult words.
During the interview, it is also important that you, as an interviewee, pay attention to your attitude. Your body language reveals a lot, so make sure you don't have nervous traits. Sit confidently and make eye contact with the interviewer. This way, you show that you are confident in yourself and your answers.
As an interviewee, be sincere during the interview. By staying yourself, you come across as more believable. In addition, you will feel more comfortable during the interview.
In tip 1, you already read that you can prepare for the points you would like to have said. Consider the message you want to convey in the interview. When you answer, start with the key message. It comes across stronger because you present the most important information right away.
Are you going to tell us what the company does during the interview? Then make sure you have numbers and/or examples with you. This is how you support your story.
As an interviewee, always be professional and respectful. Even if you disagree with something or are under pressure, being respectful can leave a positive impression on the interviewer.
Get ready with the tips above, and you'll be able to do any interview later. Would you rather receive the tips in real life? Then follow our media training!
