Giving good answers to interview questions

Interviews can be quite tough for people who aren't properly prepared and don't know how to deal with questions.

Basic elements to giving good answers to interview questions:

• Clarity
• Comprehensive answers
• Logical answers
• Explaining situations related to questions

Clarity

Your answer must contain straightforward information. The interviewers need to see a clearly phrased, organized, answer to their questions. Give the basic information simply, so it's easy to understand.

Another good reason for clarity is to make sure you don't get muddled in your own answer. Think before you speak. Keep track of what you're saying, so you know where you are in your answer and don't repeat information and waste time.

Comprehensive answers

Make sure you answer all of the question. It's quite easy to give an answer and leave bits of the question unanswered. This can happen as a result of getting distracted, or incorrect interpretation of the question.

If you're not sure that you've answered fully: Tell the interviewers that you want to be sure your answer covered everything, and ask if they need more.

Logical answers

Logical answers are a series of steps, one following logically after the other, in a clear order. The best method of answering a question logically is the STAR technique, which is a story telling method, using a structured answer.

Structure in your answers provides an easily followed narrative. If your answer gets garbled or disjointed, it can be very difficult for interviewers to understand. It's also not good when you're doing an interview for a job where communication skills are important, which is most interviews.

Make sure that what you're saying follows a logical sequence.

Explaining situations related to questions When answering things like problem solving situations, you need to explain the situation so that it makes sense to the interviewers.

Make your description of the situation systematically.

• Start with the place where this situation occurs. Set a scene for the interviewers to visualize.
• Describe clearly the elements in the situation. Say what was happening, and who and what was involved.
• Describe your role. State what you were doing. Use the job title, or some other clearly understandable descriptor.

The interviewers now know the situation well enough to understand your actions, your role, and you can tell them what needed to be done, how it was done, etc.

Making sure of your answer quality:

• Make sure you understand the questions. Always ask for clarification, if not. If you're not sure, check out what's required.
• Never go off topic. It can be a serious distraction, and interfere with thinking and keeping track of what you're saying.
• Additional relevant information can be a positive, but don't overdo it. You can say, “I can add more, if you'd like,” showing you are aware of the need for concise answers.

Interview training

If you're unsure of your interview abilities, it's not a bad idea to sign up for interview courses at work, community colleges, or where available elsewhere.

The courses can give you a lot of practice and guidance about any specific problems you may be having at interviews.

The courses also act as valuable sounding boards, so you can check your interview performance fully. This isn't always possible with feedback from interviewers, who are limited to that particular interview as their frame of reference.

You can check with your training officer regarding participation in interview courses, and professional trainers are good at identifying your training needs and interview areas where more work is required.