What is the most important thing you must do if you want to have a good interview? Smile? Ask questions? Prepare well? Yes, these all matter – I’ll tell you how much a bit later. But the most important thing in all communications with another person is eye-contact. Why? It is our point of trust. We even apply it to animals! If a dog or cat looks at your eyes you immediately trust it. Logically, animals don’t have the same intellectual make-up as you do – but, then, nor do many other human beings. It doesn’t matter. Eye-contact establishes trust.
So what about when you are on the internet? You can’t make the same impact as when you are f2f. It still matters. Politicians have script screens you can’t see, often one to their left and one to their right. They turn between them as they speak. It makes them look spontaneous and as though addressing the people but usually they are carefully scripted.
Two more things help to create confidence in someone being interviewed. Decent, well thought-out questions, even if a little intrusive, tell the interviewer that you have thought about them and their business. There is nothing more flattering than being asked questions, especially when they involve the opinion of the person being addressed. It says “I respect your opinion”. That is a message guaranteed to warm someone’s heart. You must ask good questions, though. Not the “Did you bring the umbrella?” sort of nonsense.
We all respond well to enthusiasm. Most interviews are conducted in a straight-faced, monotonous monotone which says “I am a boring person”. Don’t be boring if you want a job. Be very enthusiastic. Smile, nod, join in, change your expression to suit the words. Look lively. In an age of robots, do everything you can to prove you are not one.
My observation is that enthusiasm is an almost unknown element of job search. If correct, that is incredible. What makes you warm to people? What sells most tellingly? What gets a wage increase when they are frozen? What makes a winning team? Enthusiasm.
“Keenness is Konvincing.” Here are some things to show that you are keen:
Study the business before you go for an interview. What is it selling? What position does it have in the market place it serves? How is it doing? What do its prospects look like? Would you invest in it if you could? Asking if you can is a useful way of showing interest.
Study the person or people who are going to interview you. What do you know about their interests? The Japanese Prime Minister’s gift to Trump of Shinzo Abe’s putter was a master stroke of connection. Whatever happens in the future, Trump will never forget that. You won’t take a present to your interview but your words can be as good as any gift.
Arrive early. You just might learn a bit more about the business from the display in the reception room or even from the receptionist if you talk to her nicely.
Smile. Not all the time but when there is a chance to do so. Smiles capture the hearts of those who receive them.
Compile your questions for the interviewer(s) before you go to see them. Judge how forthright you can be – and go just a little bit further. Be polite always. If they take your asking questions badly you don’t want to work for them anyway.
These are just the main things you must attend to. AI will give you a list of things worth bearing in mind. One last point. Listen to what is being said to you. Many people are too busy thinking of their next answer. Don’t do that, pay attention.
That way they will know you are interested in the job.
That way you will get the job.
Good morning
John Bittleston
If you have any stories about good and bad interviews we’d love to hear them at [email protected]
30 October 2025
