How to start a conversation in a job interview: Tips for Malaysian job seekers

If you're looking to start a new role, applying for job interviews is just the first step. The next crucial part is practicing how to start a conversation in the interview and stand out. Mastering small talk is a valuable skill for networking and building relationships. 

It's also helpful to know how to use conversation starters effectively in a job interview, since it can help to create a positive impression of you and increase your chances of landing a job. In this article, we'll review how to start and maintain a conversation with examples and provide you with tips for starting conversations to stand out in a competitive job market. 

This article will include these pointers: 

• Prepare before the interview 
• Make a strong first impression 
• Use the STAR technique for answering questions 
• Ask thoughtful questions 
• Be authentic and show enthusiasm 
• Follow up after the interview 
• Master the art of interview questions 
• FAQs

1. Prepare before the interview 

Having ample preparation before an interview is essential. When you have the right information, it can help boost your confidence during the interview and also help you start and maintain a conversation naturally. Here are some tips on how to prepare. 

Research the company thoroughly 

To prepare, research the company you're interviewing at thoroughly. This can include going through the company's ratings and reviews to get to know more about what the company does and finding out about its culture, values, competitors, and recent achievements.  

When you have sufficient knowledge about what the company does and what it stands for, you'll be able to answer questions such as “Why do you want to join this company?” and “What do you know about our company?” with ease. This also shows the employer that you're well-prepared for the role. 

Review the job description 

Another way to prepare for your interview is to study the job description thoroughly. Reading through the job description can help you note certain keywords and skills that the employer is looking for. This also lets you prepare for the interview, since you can come up with examples from your previous roles that match the skills they're looking for.  

Knowing the exact job description can also help you prepare for the role itself. It helps you come up with questions that you may want to ask during the interview, such as the specifics of the role, considerations, working culture, and more. 

Practice common interview questions and your responses 

While you may know a lot about the company and the role, it's still important to practice the interview flow and common questions that the interviewer may ask. This helps you answer the questions naturally and fluidly, contributing to a good interview without any awkward gaps or silence.  

A good method is to get a family member or friend to hold a mock interview with you, where they can ask you common interview questions while you practice answering them. 

2. Make a strong first impression 

First impressions are always important, since they set the tone of how others perceive you, leading to a lasting impact. Here's how you can make a strong first impression. 

Arrive on time or early 

Arriving on time or a few minutes early for your interview can help create a positive impression on the interviewer. This is because it shows that you have good time management skills and respect the interviewer's time. 

Dress appropriately 

When going for an interview, find out what the company dress code is and dress according to the company's culture. In most corporate jobs, it's best to wear formal attire, such as a shirt and blazer, to the first interview. If you're going for an interview with a startup, you don't need to dress formally, but wearing a smart casual outfit, such as a shirt with jeans, is a good idea.  

It's also important to ensure that your clothes are clean, well-fitting, and wrinkle-free. This shows the hiring manager that you care about your hygiene and upkeep. 

Have strong nonverbal communication 

Body language accounts for up to 55% of our communication, and many interviewers may judge you based on your first few actions upon meeting them. To create a positive and long-lasting impression, greet the interviewer with a friendly smile and a firm handshake. 

It's also important to maintain eye contact and good posture to show confidence. When greeting them, make sure that you have a brief and confident self-introduction ready so that the hiring manager can learn a little about you before starting the interview. 

3. Use the STAR technique for answering questions 

When answering interview questions, using the STAR technique can help you express your points clearly while showcasing your skills effectively. The STAR method stands for situation, task, action, and result. Here's an example of how you can use this method when answering your questions: 

• Situation: Discuss a situation that you encountered in your previous role, together with the problem and challenges you were looking to solve. 
• Task: Describe the task that you were taking on to solve the issue. This can include coming up with a new process or a report to showcase your campaign's results. 
• Action: After describing the task, you can also detail the actions you took to complete the task. For example, you can explain the steps you took to compile a report and what metrics you included in the report.
•  Result: This is where you showcase your achievements. Discuss and highlight the results that your completed task brought to the company, such as discovering a gap in your campaign because of your report, and what steps you took to improve future campaigns. 

When using the STAR method, it's also important to make sure your answers are relevant and concise. Also, tailor your responses to the specific job and company to ensure that they're relevant for the role. 

4. Ask thoughtful questions 

While you may have important questions about the role, such as the salary and benefits, it's also important to ask other thoughtful questions during the interview. This helps to facilitate a two-way conversation during the interview while showing the interviewer that you have a genuine interest in the role and company. While asking questions, ensure that you're asking ones that are relevant to the job and role.  

Here are some examples of questions you can ask during the interview: 

• What are the company's future plans and expected growth? 
• How do you see me contributing to the role in six months to a year's time? 
• What's the team structure like? 
• What's the company's culture like? 
• What are some challenges in this role that require solving? 
• What are some of the opportunities the company would have for professional development? 
• What will the interview process be like? 
• What skills are you looking for in your ideal employee? 

5. Be authentic and show enthusiasm 

While being enthusiastic and authentic may come naturally when you're with your peers, it may be more challenging to show this in an unfamiliar environment, such as an interview. However, it's still important to be as authentic and enthusiastic as you can, as it helps to build rapport with the interviewer, leading to a natural conversation.  

One good way to show this is to take some time before the interview to collect yourself and take a few deep breaths before the interview starts. Seeing the interviewer as a friend could also help calm your nerves. 

During the interview itself, be honest about your experience and skills while showing a passion for the role and the industry you applied for. If the role stimulates you, it can also help to express excitement about the opportunity during the interview. Another good tip is to share relevant personal anecdotes that highlight your strengths.  

You can also share personal experiences that helped you showcase your skills. This also helps the interviewer see you as a real person, aside from just another interviewee applying for a job.  

6. Follow up after the interview 

After your interview, it's also essential to follow up to maintain the conversation and leave a lasting impression. Following up after an interview can also help keep the lines of communication open and even influence the hiring decision. After a job interview, only a small percentage of people send follow-up emails.  

If you do so, this could set you apart as a job seeker who's genuinely interested in the role and the company. This could also potentially help you stand out from other interviewees and give you a competitive advantage. 

Here are some tips for a follow-up email you can send to the hiring manager after the interview. 

Send an email within 24 hours 

Ever heard someone say, “Strike the iron while it's hot”? Following up on an interview within a day embodies just that. If you send an email within 24 hours, it helps to create a longer-lasting impression of yourself in the interviewer's mind, since the conversation is still fresh in their mind. The interviewer will also be more likely to keep you in mind while they consider other interviewees. 

Express gratitude 

While it's a no-brainer to thank the interviewer after the interview, you can also show them your gratitude again in your follow-up email for a positive impression. In the email, thank the interviewer for their time, and mention that you're grateful for the opportunity to speak to them and learn more about the company. This helps you come across as polite and professional. 

Reiterate your enthusiasm 

Aside from showing enthusiasm about the role during the interview, it also helps to reiterate your excitement in your follow-up email. When preparing your follow-up, mention again how excited you are for the opportunity and the job itself. You can also let the interviewer know that you're always open to answering any more questions about your previous experiences and skills that are relevant to the role.  

This helps keep the conversation open between the interviewer and you, and gives you the opportunity to share more details about how you're the right fit for the job. 

Master the art of interview conversations 

When attending an interview, starting and maintaining a natural conversation is a skill that you can develop with lots of practice. Always remember to have ample preparation and make a strong impression at your interview with the tips provided above. With practice, these tips can help you approach your next interview with confidence and stand out from other applicants. 

FAQs 

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about interview conversations. 

1. What are some unique cultural considerations for job interviews in Malaysia? 
   Malaysia has a rich cultural and religious background, especially with three dominant religions present in the country: Muslim, Buddhism, and Christianity.  Some cultural considerations to take note of during job interviews are respect and hierarchy. When greeting an interviewer, it might be useful to use their appropriate titles, such as Mr or Miss, unless the interviewer tells you otherwise. Also, be mindful of body language, such as physical touch. A good rule is to observe how the interviewer greets you before you respond and follow suit. 
2. What are some common interview questions? 
   Some common interview questions Malaysian employers may ask include:  
   - ⁠Tell us about yourself. 
   - ⁠Why do you want to work here? 
   ⁠- What do you know about our company? 
   ⁠- Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses. 
   ⁠- Why are you leaving your previous company? 
3. How do Malaysian companies typically conduct their hiring processes? 
   ⁠Many Malaysian companies usually have an initial screening call with the candidate to find out more about their background and experience. If they pass the screening call, the recruiters will then arrange for a virtual or face-to-face interview with the hiring manager to assess their personality and relevant job experience. Depending on the company and seniority of the role, the hiring manager may offer the candidate the role or send them for more rounds with the higher management.  
4. What are the current trends in Malaysian workplace attire and dress codes? 
   In Malaysian workplaces, traditional business formal attire is commonplace, such as a suit and tie, or the traditional baju kurung or baju kebaya. However, there's also a shift towards smart casual and business casual dress codes given the tropical climate. For men, it's recommended to wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie or a polo shirt with pants in a more casual workplace. For more formal occasions, you can also consider wearing a batik shirt. For women, it's advisable to choose more modest clothing to show respect for the culture. 
5. What are the most valued soft skills by Malaysian employers? 
   Malaysian employers often value soft skills that global employers also seek, including: 
   - ⁠communication 
   - ⁠problem-solving 
   - ⁠teamwork 
   - ⁠leadership 
   - ⁠time management. 
6. What are some common mistakes job seekers make during interviews? 
   Some common mistakes that job seekers may make during an interview include: 
   ⁠- Don't arrive late for the interview. 
   - ⁠Don’t dress inappropriately. 
   - ⁠Don’t forget to prepare for the interview. 
   - ⁠Don’t speak negatively about your previous employers. 
   - ⁠Don’t use your phone during the interview. 
   ⁠These mistakes may give the interviewer a negative impression, with the job seeker having a lower chance of progressing to the next round.