How to Answer Interview Questions Confidently?

Are job interviews making you nervous?

You are not alone. Interviews can be nerve-wracking, and the only thing that can help you put your best foot forward is confidence. But, not everyone knows how to act confidently in such situations.

If you are unsure how to answer interview questions confidently, let us help you!

Ace your interviews with these five tried-and-tested ways and stand out by answering interview questions confidently.

Let's get started!

1. Mock interviews

Are you confused about where to start the interview preparation? Then start with mock interviews. They are the best tool to help you answer interview questions confidently as it allows you to:

1. Practice answering all kinds of interview questions and get comfortable with them, making it easier to answer potential interview questions confidently.
2. Get feedback from experienced people who can help you identify the weak spots, find the right tone for answering, and give you tips to improve.
3. Identify strengths and weaknesses that can help you improve
4. Calm your nerves and anxiety as a mock interview allows you to answer real interview questions in an informal environment with low stakes, giving you ample opportunity to practice and gain confidence.

You can conduct mock interviews by finding a partner, preferably someone experienced with interviews, who can play the role of the interviewer and share feedback to help you improve.

If that is not possible, you can DIY! Here’s how:

1. Prepare a list of common interview questions relevant to your field. You can find interview questions from our collection of interview questions. Another approach is to check out company-specific interview questions and experiences on AmbitionBox.
2. Create a real interview scenario by dressing up professionally and behaving like you would in an interview. Practice standing, sitting, walking in, nodding, and even speaking. For better results, keep a mirror in the room to assess your behavior.
3. If you want to assess your performance, record this session and answer all the questions like you would in an interview. Analyze this video and note what worked and where you could improve. You can also share this with your peers and have their opinion on it.
4. Using a stopwatch also helps ensure you do not lose track of time and can answer crisply and concisely. Repeat this multiple interviews until you get everything right.

You can also consider using free mock interview services like Pramp, InterviewBuddy, interviewing.io, and mymockinterview.

2. Practice interview questions

You get good at what you practice, and interviews are not an exception to this. Knowing how to answer interview questions can help you give interviews confidently for many reasons, some of which are:

1. It boosts and solidifies your knowledge about your field and gives you a fair idea of industry-specific terms and concepts, which makes you seem well-prepared and well-informed, leaving a lasting impression on your interviewers.
2. It brings about a sense of familiarity as you get an idea of what kind of questions to expect before the interview and estimate the expected answers. It also helps you frame and articulate better.
3. Prepares you for all kinds of interview questions, from common interview questions, and HR interview questions, to behavioral, and stress interview questions, etc.
4. Practicing interview questions gives you room to improve your communication skills as you get time to frame a crisp answer and practice speaking clearly and confidently during the interview.
   
   It can also help you form answers that are both comprehensive and brief, improving your timing.
5. Practicing also brings about a sense of self-assurance and positive thinking, which can be a key factor in reducing stress and anxiety, making you feel in control of the situation.

3. Dress for the part

People often overlook a crucial factor while preparing for interviews- the dress code. Wearing clothes that make you feel confident and professional can be a game changer.

Here are some things to keep in mind while deciding what to wear to an interview:

1. Clothes

You can wear western or traditional clothes depending on your comfort zone. Men can wear blazers, suits with a well-fitted shirt and a tie, and women can wear similar clothing or opt for a formal dress or skirt.

You can also consider wearing business casual like chinos, khakis, or dress pants paired with a button-up shirt. Another option is to wear traditional salwar kameez, kurta, and sarees.

2. Colors

Choose neutral colors like black, navy blue, gray, or brown for your interview. Opting for minimal designs and solid colors is always better while dressing professionally.

Avoid bright colors, patterns, and abstract prints. Maintain a neat and clean appearance and make sure you seem presentable. Some things to consider would be to wear well-ironed and well-fitted clothing, polished shoes, etc.

3. Minimalism

Less is more, especially while dressing for an interview. Wear minimal makeup and accessories, and steer clear from applying gaudy makeup and wearing heavy jewelry.

Also, avoid tassels and flowy clothing as they can distract you during interviews. Remember, the goal is to keep your look simple and professional and your movement easy and flexible.

4. Grooming

Small things can leave a huge impact, especially in interviews. Consider focusing on details like trimming and grooming your nails have neatly combed hair.

Women can consider having hair tied neatly, and men can appear more presentable with a properly groomed beard or a clean-shaven look.

For more clarity and an in-depth idea of what to wear, read our article on the interview dress code for males and females.

4. Focus on body language

Our behavior plays a major role in how people perceive us. It is not surprising that in an interview, your body language plays a crucial role in defining your first impression.  Here are some things you can do to have positive body language:

Posture

maintaining a good posture is crucial to have impressive body language. Sit straight, avoid slouching, walk confidently, and do not drag your feet. While sitting, do not lean back on the chair and maintain a calm and composed posture.

Use open body languages like uncrossed arms and legs to show that you are approachable and receptive.

Eye contact

Looking down or away can make you seem under-confident and nervous, making it difficult to establish any trust in the recruiter.

It is crucial to maintain good eye contact as it shows confidence and interest in the conversation. However, do not confuse eye contact with staring as the latter can make people uncomfortable.

Hand gestures

Emphasize your talking points and make your communication effective with sophisticated hand gestures. But do not do it in extremes as it may seem excessive and can distract the interviewer.

Smile

A smile can go a long way, especially when it comes to leaving a positive impression. So, enter with a smile and try maintaining it throughout the interview.

Also, be mindful of serious conversations and change your expression accordingly.

Ditch nervous habits

Avoid fidgeting and other nervous habits like tapping your foot, playing with your hair, etc., as they can be distracting and make you look unprofessional.

5. Self-care for interview preparation

Preparing for a job interview can be a stressful experience, and taking care of yourself during this time is essential. Here are a few quick self-care hacks for interview preparation:

1. Sleep well the night before the interview to make sure you feel fresh, and alert and are on your toes during the interview.
2. Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves and control anxiety.
3. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids to feel focused and energized.
4. Eat a hearty, healthy, preferably homemade meal to feel fresh and avoid any gut issues during the interview.
5. The relevance of self-talk and affirmations is underrated, but it is the best way to boost your confidence and self-esteem. Practice it!

7 Quick tips to show confidence in an interview

Here are 7 quick tips to help you seem confident in an interview

1. Take your time while answering interview questions.
2. Keep your answer brief but do not rush while speaking.
3. If the question is unclear, ask for clarification.
4. Ask interviewers questions about the role.
5. Maintain a calm and composed posture.
6. In case there is more than one interviewer, look at the person who asked the question while glancing at the others while answering.
7. Reach 20 minutes before the interview to get comfortable with the venue.

Is confidence a game-changer in Interviews?

Without a doubt, answering interview questions with confidence can leave a positive and lasting impact, making sure you stand out.

It reflects competence, knowledge, capability, and personality, and can also convince the recruiter to believe in you and boosts their trust in your skills and experience.

It also makes it easy for recruiters to trust you and increase your chances of getting hired! After all, employers want to hire self-assured candidates who can represent the company well.

In short, answering interview questions confidently can help you make a strong impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of landing the job. So follow these 5 tips and bag your dream job!