How to impress recruiters and make them remember you
You can just go into a job interview and wing it. Well, you could, but you definitely won’t get a follow-up interview. That’s why confidence, good preparation and a positive focus are essential to making a good impression at an interview.
When it comes time for your interview, this is when you need to pull out all the stops and be sure to impress your potential employer. This is your chance to convince them that you’re the right person for the job.
The impression you make can be the difference between getting hired and being passed over. So here are 5 tips to help you stand out from other candidates and get one step closer to your next job:
1. Do your research
Showing that you've done your homework is one way to make a good impression. Find out as much as you can about the company and their competitors. Researching what they do, who their customers are and what has happened to them over time will give you an idea of what skills they look for when recruiting new staff.
It’s always important to know who it is that will be interviewing you so that you can prepare accordingly. This will give you an idea of how best to present yourself in front of them, which can make a big difference when it comes down to getting the job offer!
Find out as much as possible about the position itself — what skills are required, what kind of people have been successful in this role, what projects have been undertaken by people in similar positions at other companies? This shows that you're serious about getting hired and that you're knowledgeable about your own industry.
This will also help you tailor your answers so they match their needs better. You should also find out about their culture — what are they like as an employer? This can help you decide whether or not you'd be happy working there.
2. Prepare a plan
The best way to prepare for a job interview is to do your research and practice the answers you think you'll be asked. That way, when you go into the interview room, you'll feel more confident and prepared for any question that comes up.
You should have an idea of some common interview questions that might be asked and what answers would work best for each one. That way, when it comes time for them to ask those questions, you'll have an answer ready without having to think too hard about it.
Rehearse your answers by practicing them out loud in front of a mirror or record yourself on video so that you can check your body language when speaking (for example, don't fidget with your hands or arms while talking; keep them in front of you). Make sure that everything sounds natural when speaking aloud.
When answering questions during an interview, try not to give short answers that are just "yes" or "no" unless it’s the appropriate response. Instead try giving longer responses that demonstrate your knowledge of their industry as well as your ability to communicate clearly.
3. Be friendly and confident
When you're waiting to go into the interview room, take a deep breath and try to relax. If you're nervous, it will show in your body language — which is one of the first things an interviewer notices.
Check out these examples of gestures to avoid during a job interview:
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Be friendly with everyone in the room and smile often. This will make you seem more confident and relaxed, which will help you do well during the interview.
Make sure to smile and show that you actually want to be there. Make sure to make eye contact with the interviewer. Making eye contact shows that you're engaged with what is being said and gives recruiters confidence in your ability to handle pressure situations at work. Don’t let your eyes wander to the floor or around the room.
Don't be afraid to ask questions about what it's like working at the company and or if you need clarification about anything.
4. Show enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is contagious! If you're enthusiastic about the job and the company, your interviewer will pick up on that and feel more positive about hiring you. If you don't seem excited, they'll assume that you're not interested in working there and will be less likely to choose you over someone else who seems more motivated.
The best way to show enthusiasm is by being engaged in the conversation—if you're interested in what the interviewer has to say, it will show in your body language and facial expressions. When responding to questions, give thoughtful answers and take time to think about them instead of rushing through them as quickly as possible.
Remember to be enthusiastic when talking about past work experiences or achievements. Emphasize how much you enjoy working hard on projects or achieving goals and explain why those things are important to you personally — for example, if it helps others, makes life easier for someone else or saves money for everyone involved.
5. Ask questions
It’s important to come prepared with questions about the company and position so that you can show interest in what they do as well as what they offer as an employer.
Here you learn more about the company and its culture — which can help you decide if it's really where you want to work. However, make sure your questions are relevant to the company or the conversation.
In many cases, the questions that you ask at the end of an interview are more important than the ones you ask early on. This is because it shows how much interest you have in the job being offered and whether or not it is something that you really want.
You might not know how to answer certain job interview questions. Instead of saying “I don’t know”, find out essential tips to prepare and ace the interview. Read more here →
