How to Really Stand Out in an Interview
You have a big interview coming up. This is a position you’d really love to land, but you know that the employer will be talking to many candidates. Presumably all of the applicants have the necessary experience and technical skills for the job, otherwise they wouldn’t have landed an interview. How do you stand out in a crowd of similarly skilled people?
Know the Company Inside and Out
Research the company. Then research the company some more. Then research the company again. Your objective should be to know more about the employer than any other applicant. Besides giving the hiring manager a good impression, your knowledge of the employer will allow you to engage with the interviewer more deeply.
Dress to Kill (the interview)
To begin with the obvious, always dress appropriately for an interview. That being said, it is perfectly fine to punch things up a bit with a bit of flare. A small colorful accessory will usually do the trick. Just make sure that it is small, and still fits in with the obvious rule.
Arrive Early
While it is never a good idea to keep a hiring manager waiting because you arrived late to the interview, there are other benefits to showing up early. It relieves stress and provides you with a few minutes to relax, pull yourself together and review your preparations.
Be Yourself
Be authentic. Most hiring managers have interviewed hundreds, if not thousands, of people. They can usually spot insincerity from a mile away. The interview is an opportunity for the hiring manager to get to know you. Open up and be yourself.
Be Prepared to Answer the “Tell me about yourself” Question
Every person who has ever had a job interview knows that this question will come up. Yet so many candidates blow it on this question. Some people answer it as if they are reading their resume verbatim. Others focus their answers on hobbies and personal information. Don’t do that. Prepare your response in advance. Focus on your career and professional life. Tie in your ambitions with the position you are interviewing for. Answer this question well and you will be well ahead of the competition.
Make it a 2-Way Conversation
Too many candidates approach an interview as if it were a quiz show. The interviewer fires off questions and the candidate spits out answers. Trust me when I tell you that this is not an effective way to stand out from the crowd. As you answer questions provide examples and use your knowledge of the employer to provide depth. Also use your knowledge to ask thoughtful questions about the employer. Your goal is to create a conversation rather than answer a quiz.
Send a Thank You Card
Immediately after the interview send a hand-written thank you note to the hiring manager. You’d be surprised how many people neglect doing this.
Danielle Foppe is a Recruitment Manager at Business Centric Technology. If you are interested in learning more about how to get the best IT talent in the Dallas metroplex, contact Danielle specializes in recruiting IT talent in Dallas, Ft. Worth and North Texas. If you are looking for a rewarding career contact us today. BCT office 972.267.7950 x324