There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the final candidate for a job offer. Personality, culture fit, and a host of other factors help hiring managers to narrow down a list of hundreds to just one.
While qualifications and experience play a big role in the initial selection, the interview is meant for the new company to get to really know who you are as an employee. To successfully turn your interview into a job offer, keep these four points in mind:
Don’t just regurgitate what’s on your resume, dive deeper into it and explain what you’ve done.
One of the first questions that’s asked is ‘Why are you the best candidate?’ While this seems like an easy question to answer, it’s actually the place where most candidates make the least impact in their interview. It’s easy to get bogged down in simply reciting your current or past responsibilities and spouting off statistics, but that doesn’t do you any favors. The interviewer knows what’s on your resume, so use the time to dive deeper into it and explain what you’ve done.
Weave your experience into a story that takes the interviewer on a journey as you explain how your experience will translate to the position you’re applying for. Storytelling is one of the most powerful methods of communication as it engages the listener and draws them into what you’re talking about. When talking about statistics, explain the steps you took to achieve them by saying ‘I got results by doing x, y, and z.’
Show your future employer what you will specifically contribute that someone else can’t.
This is where you get to brag about yourself – in the right way. You need to be able to qualify everything you’re saying. Think of it in terms of adding a reason to each point you make. You want to talk about the specific things that set you apart from others in as much detail as possible. Show them the value you’ll add to their workplace. Talk about your best characteristics. Be boldly self-promotional. This is your time to shine so don’t hold back. A word of caution – avoid these two phrases: ‘I’m the best in the field.’ and ‘You won’t find anyone who’s as dedicated as I am!’
If you find it hard to be self-promotional, think of the interview as if it’s a performance and you’re the actor playing the lead role. If you’re struggling to come up with things to say, step back and imagine that you’re talking about your best friend’s accomplishments rather than your own. It’s easier to brag about someone rather than yourself, so it’s a great way to trick your mind into getting over its shyness.
Demonstrate that you’re a team player and that you’re willing to learn.
No interviewer is ever going to directly ask you how you work with others or if you like to learn. The interviewer is listening for signs of these two things throughout the entire interview. The same goes for determining characteristics. Most questions seeking to identify personality traits will never be asked explicitly. Answer all of these questions for the interviewer by working them in as you’re talking about your experience and answering any question in which you’re able to tell a story.
Talk about a time you worked collaboratively on a project when you’re describing a current responsibility to demonstrate that you’re a team player.
Show how much you enjoy learning new skills by tying that in as you’re talking about an accomplishment. Demonstrating a true willingness to learn is one of the most attractive qualities a candidate can have. You’re not expected to know everything, so don’t try to! A candidate that comes off as a know-it-all is often a candidate that receives a rejection letter.
Show respect to everyone.
You’re judged on every bit of your actions in a job interview, and not just when you’re in the room with the interviewer. It starts and ends well after that. Were you on time? How did you treat the receptionist? The doorman? Fellow candidates in the lobby? What did you do after you walked out of the room from your interview? Someone is always watching and paying attention. You could be the most qualified candidate, but if you treat people poorly you’re not going to get the job. Showing signs of rudeness is an instant red flag and will get your resume sent to the ‘no’ pile. You need to be able to show respect for others, including being mindful of their time as well as being considerate and polite. You’ll be measured on your personality to determine culture fit, so remember that actions speak louder than words.
