7 Ways to Sell Yourself during an Interview ...

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Everyone says the eyes are the windows to the souls. Your eyes can also betray strength and confidence. Maintain eye contact with the person interviewing you. Don't keep looking all around the room. This can make you appear unsure, antsy, and even disinterested, and that's not what anyone wants in a potential employee.

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However, when the interview first starts, noticing to your surroundings is a good idea. Being able to make a comment such as, “I love the painting you have on the wall” or something like that shows that you're paying attention, plus it can help to break the ice.

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By this I don't mean you should remember to bring it with you – but you should, that goes without saying! What I mean is, know what you've put on your resume and your CV. You don't have to memorize it, but it's important to be able to talk about it. If you frequently update and rewrite your resume, you might get mixed up if you don't familiarize yourself with the version you just handed over to your interviewer.

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It is vital to always listen to your interviewer, especially when he or she is asking questions. Asking the interview to repeat questions and statements will make it seem like you don't listen, and that is just a bad impression. Remember, your first impression is everything; you want to come off as someone who pays close attention and can answer questions quickly.

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Having a good rapport with your interviewer is great, but don't get too personal too quickly. He or she doesn't need to know every detail of your personal life. You also don't want to joke around too much. That might make it seem like you aren't taking the interview seriously. However, if your interviewer starts telling anecdotes and getting personal, such as discussing children or spouses or something of that nature, it can be a very good sign.

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Your nonverbal communication will say just as much as your verbal communication, so use that to your advantage. Make sure your body language is open. In other words, remain comfortable and relaxed, don't fidget, and don't cross your arms over your chest, which is a sign of closed body language and can make you appear stand-offish and guarded.

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Just as you need to be relaxed, you need to relax your interviewer as well – it will just be good for you in the long run. Smiling – a sincere smile, not a fake one – is a great way to do this, plus it makes you appear open and friendly.

It's hard to be relaxed during an interview, but practice makes perfect. Bad interviews are just a fact of life, but don't worry. You can learn from them as well – you'll learn what not to do! Do you have any interview stories to share? What was your worst interview ever?

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