5 Job Interview Secrets You Should Know
When an employer invites you to interview for a job, they already think you’re qualified. Your resume and cover letter, job application or online profile have already told them that you have the skills, education and experience that they are looking for. If there is a phone interview, that is to pre-screen for these core skills before meeting you in person.
Take a look at the following job interviewing secrets that can help you avoid any awkward encounters when you’re visiting the office…
1. How you look really matters
How you look may determine whether or not you get the job. If you are dressed too casually, you may appear unprofessional or not serious about the role. If you appear nervous, sweaty and easily flustered, they might assume that you are not up for the job. Dress up, wear clothes that are just a touch more formal than required on the day-to-day of the job. Arrive a little early so that you don’t have to run to make it on time, and be at your calm and confident best.
2. Employers are interested in you personally
Since they already think you have the skills, and they want to hire you, what are most employers looking for in an interview? Frankly, they want to know if they like you and if you’re going to fit in with the team. Once they hire you, you become someone they will have to see and speak to every day at work. They often end up spending more time with you than they do with their family or friends. So likeability really matters.
3. Employers don’t always hire the most qualified candidate
In an ideal world, the most qualified candidates would automatically win hiring managers over. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes the most qualified candidates aren’t what managers are looking for. As one hiring manager shared, “If someone lacks the necessary experience, but shows great enthusiasm for the job, I may consider hiring them over someone who’s more qualified.”
4. Employers want you to like them too
Hiring managers appreciate candidates who demonstrate why they love their company. Hiring managers never want to feel like they’re just another company you sent your resume to. Instead, they want to see that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to the growth of the company. If they sense you’re just looking for a paycheck, you won’t get one.
5. Employers don’t like over enthusiastic candidates
While employers prefer candidates who are enthusiastic about working for them specifically, it is possible to be too enthusiastic. Being overly needy makes you look bad and lowers your value as a potential hire. For example, if you’re currently employed and you tell your interviewer that you could start work right away, this could hurt your chances. It indicates that you’re willing to make an unprofessional exit from your present job by leaving them hanging with no notice.
