09/11/2019
By Mohona Dutta
When you’re hunting for a job, a good resume is essential in getting you noticed by prospective employers, but it’s during the interview stage that’ll change the direction you envision your career path to be.
Interviews have the quality to stress you out. An no matter how well prepared you are, or how you have been in the past, they are going to be nerve-wracking. Once you know you’ve done your research and are armed to deal with almost any curve ball that the interviewer might throw your way, you’ll be confident enough to show your full potential.
Remember, every client is different, but every job might not be. Hiring managers will be impressed with your CVs, documents, certifications, but the real deal is how well do you fit in. They do not expect mirrors and smokes or to be hoodwinked. Even though in today’s times, for specialized skills like that of a Salesforce or Dynamics CRM, recruiters are aware that it’s the talent who is calling the shots.
But even in that scenario, it is important that you impress the Hiring Manager. They look for quite a few aspects besides your qualifications, whether you are vying for the position of a gym trainer or a Salesforce or Dynamics Consultant.
- Homework is a must
This is perhaps the most important thing you can do to increase your odds of impressing your interviewer and putting yourself ahead of the competition. There’s absolutely nothing that will disappoint an interviewer faster than turning up without knowing anything about the job, or the company.
Employers look for people who are passionate about their work and care enough about their job to want to do it well. If a recruiter asks you what you know about their organization, and the best you can do is come up with a few lines copied from the website, you will put up a really bad show.
Do a thorough research about the company-establishment, mission & vision, values, current situation and so on. When you have gained enough knowledge, your answers won’t sound scripted but will reflect your eagerness to join the organization. Honesty is a trump card-use it wisely.
- Time is a friend
There is an old adage-time and tide waits for none. It’s true when it comes to arriving at the right time. But there is a difference in arriving early and a bit too early. You will feel a bit awkward hanging around the lobby for 30-45 minutes before your interview starts.
Arriving say 10 to 15 minutes early will give you enough time to gather yourself, introduce yourself to the panel and get ready for the interview. Keep in mind that you don’t want to be taken as a spare cog loitering around with poor time management skills.
For those last-minute hiccups, you can choose to be around the neighborhood early. Grab a cup of coffee, go through your notes, tidy up a bit in case you had a rough ride. All done with a peace of mind that the interview location is just a few meters away. that your destination is just a stride away.
- Manners maketh a man or woman
Your CV can be outstanding, but your persona is what shines through in reality. Being polite never causes harm. And might sound like teaching for a toddler, but magic words- please and thank-you will add sparkles. It’s not just your interviewer that you want to impress when you turn up at a potential employer’s office but everyone you meet on the way.
You never know who might put in a good word about your manners and how far can that take you in the future. During the recruitment process, the interviewers want to analyze how well do you fit within the company’s cultural ecosystem. And your behavior could just be the key.
- Dress for the job you want
First impressions cannot be repeated. You will have a few opportunities wow your Hiring Manager throughout the meeting with your responses, your attitude, and your interest, but first impressions do matter.
The first thing your interviewer is going to notice about you, is the way you’re dressed, the way you carry yourself, and your handshake will all contribute to your interviewer’s overall assessment of you. You cannot show up in crumpled clothes or a dress best suited for a night out. Dress for the job that you want.
Most companies are a bit relaxed about interview attire these days, and if they have any specific dress code requirements for the interview, they’ll let you know before the interview is scheduled. If they don’t, then business formal is usually the default. And do not forget to wear your smile.
- Documents at disposal
Carry a few copies of your CV with you. It will help you remember your talking points and align your experiences to the job role before the interview starts. It will make you look prepared and professional. It might add brownie points as you are being resourceful and capable in an event that your interviewer doesn’t have a copy with them.
If you are a part of a group interview, or your interviewer has met multiple people that day, they might not have a copy on them. Being able to provide one, while discussing your work experience, or to refresh your interviewer’s memory, will make you look like a go-getter and will definitely help you stand out in the interviewer’s mind.
- Be yourself
Your interviewer will want to know all about your skills, your experience, your objectives on how to deliver the goals and so on. But they’ll also want to understand the kind of person you are.
Employers today give a lot of importance on culture fit; they want to know that you share their values (this is where your researching skills come to play) and that you’ll be a good fit. People who’re a good cultural fit tend to be more engaged with their work and stay in roles longer, so finding the right skill set isn’t only vital, but personality too is critical.
Don’t be a robot. Let your personality shine, make conversation, and remember that your interviewer is just another person, no matter how daunted you might be making a connection with your recruiter puts you in a great light and makes you more memorable as a jobseeker.
- No scripted answers
If you’ve got this far in the recruitment process, then you’ll have already submitted a CV and a cover letter that, ideally, charted your skills and experience to the job role. The interviewer will ask you the cliched question-what makes you a great fit? You will have to do your homework, read the job description well, align it to your experience and speak with clarity.
Think about your transferable skills, in case you do not check all the job description boxes. Explain to the hiring manager how you plan to upskill to be able to carry out these responsibilities even if you don’t have relevant experience. Recruiters love to hear about your personal growth plans and see how well you can train, so use any skills gaps you might have to show off your enthusiasm to learn!
- Ask, ask and ask some more
Learn what all you can about the role, the organization. Be ready with your set of questions. Asking questions reflect your interest in joining the organization. Your questions should be open-ended, meaningful, and designed to demonstrate your intent to do a great job.
Do not ask bland questions like how many leaves does a person get in a year or is there an option to take a half day, or how is the coffee here. Ask questions which have a potential to self-serve, like how would you describe the culture of this company? Or, what do you like most about this company?
Be polite when you ask and refrain from using any sarcasm. Demonstrate your enthusiasm but do not hyperventilate. Maintain a steady pace, so that your recruiter understands that you are genuinely interested in joining the company and not here to assess your market value.
- Keep in touch
Sometimes, a simple follow up can do wonders. Of course, you have to do well in the interview as well. But sending a ‘thank-you’ email can do the trick. You will be remembered by the Hiring Manager. The last thing you can do to really impress your interviewer and mark yourself out from the pack is simply to follow up.
Let them know it was nice to meet them, thank them for the opportunity, and tell them you’re looking forward to hearing from them.
Its important that a jobseeker bears these qualities for being the best. Knowledge, experience, certifications are definitely important for the role. But remembering the basics -such as being polite, professional, etc. are equally important. The essence of EQ is in play now. Managers not only look for people who are skilled at their jobs but individuals who are better people. Our Consultants have been lauded by our clients always for their immaculate balance between their knowledge and their behavioral skills. We are proud of the quality of Consultants that our clients have hired from us. Our Consultants exude trust, honesty, and open-mindedness, the quintessential elements for long-term relationships with all our clients.
If you are a business which appreciates this kind of an approach, then connect with us today.
Author’s bio:
Mohona is a Content Writer for the Marketing team in AhaApps since 2019. When she is not busy attending to her creative, technical side, she likes to binge on sitcoms on Netflix. She loves writing poems and reading short stories when she wants to break away from the humdrum of life.