{"id":1774,"date":"2022-10-26T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=1774"},"modified":"2025-02-11T16:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T21:24:13","slug":"what-to-say-job-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/basics\/what-to-say-job-interview","title":{"rendered":"9 Things to Say in a Job Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you think about what to say in a job interview, you probably assume you\u2019ll be answering common interview questions<\/a>. And while what you say when you answer those questions matters, there are a few more things you should say in a job interview that you may not have thought about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know What You Bring to the Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before worrying about what to say in a job interview, take a few moments and think about your skills and experiences. This will help you frame your answer in a way that\u2019s unique to you and help the interviewer see how you\u2019ll fit in the role and at the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamie Guilford, associate director of employer relations at York College of Pennsylvania, says that before the interview, job seekers should consider all they\u2019ve amassed. \u201c[You] have skills from other experiences\u2026including academic projects and research; part-time jobs; student clubs and activities; volunteering. In preparing for the interview, consider all of these experiences.\u201d And don’t forget about the skills you’ve developed in a Forage virtual job simulation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cataloging your skills and abilities will help you formulate your answers and guide you on what to say throughout your interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Interview Success<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Get prepped and ready for your next interview in this free course from BCLP and learn how to explain why you're the right person for the role.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnroll Now\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t4.5-6 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVideo interviewing, public speaking, poise, analytical thinking\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnroll Now\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
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What to Say in a Job Interview: Getting Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

They say that first impressions matter, so make yours count. Here are two critical things you should say at the start<\/em> of a job interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nice to Meet You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things you should try to say in a job interview is, \u201cNice to meet you.\u201d This is true no matter how many interviewers you meet in a day. It can help you establish a positive and professional rapport with the hiring manager<\/a> and demonstrate politeness. Alternatively, you can open with, \u201cHow are you today?\u201d to get the conversation going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus tip: Consider saying, \u201cNice to meet you, Interviewer\u2019s Name<\/em>,\u201d (or \u201cHow are you today, Interviewer\u2019s Name?\u201d) <\/em>to help you remember who you\u2019re speaking with. This can be especially helpful if you have trouble remembering names or have a panel interview<\/a> where you speak with multiple interviewers at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While saying \u201cthank you\u201d is probably second nature, sprinkling it in during an interview demonstrates you\u2019re aware the hiring process can be just as taxing on the company as it is on a job seeker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Building Your Personal Brand<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Learn the secrets to building and managing your personal brand in this free course from Ashurst UK. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t2-3 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPersonal brand, brand management, LinkedIn profile, reputation\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnroll Now\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
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For example, saying, \u201cThank you for interviewing me,\u201d is a way to express you\u2019re grateful the company has selected you, while saying, \u201cThank you for meeting with me,\u201d is a way to thank the hiring manager for making time in their schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t overdo it, though. You don\u2019t need to say \u201cThank you\u201d for every little thing. That could come across as inauthentic, rehearsed, or even anxious. Use it sparingly and when you are truly thankful for something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Say in a Job Interview: Make the Middle Stand Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re past the introductions, you\u2019re in the thick of the interview. While your answers will be unique to you and tailored to the specifics of the position and company, here are a few things you should try to say during<\/em> the job interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expert Tip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember to always tie your answers back to the position. This is a great way to end an answer to an interview question and keep yourself on track.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s Why I\u2019m Qualified<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s not uncommon for interviewers to ask you to explain why you’re qualified for the position<\/a>. Even if that exact question doesn’t come up, you’re often discussing your qualifications throughout the interview. The trick is to connect your unique skill set to the specific role and you can do that by talking about your hard and soft skills<\/a>, as well as your transferable skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you find it difficult to work your qualifications into your answers, using these phrases can help you get unstuck:<\/p>\n\n\n\n