Want to know a secret about hiring?
The most qualified candidate never gets the job.
It’s really true for the most part – and here’s why! While you might feel you tick all the boxes and your resume and experience perfectly match the job description, guess what? That job description served one and one purpose only – to find qualified candidates to interview.
So once you’re invited to interview, your qualifications are pretty much a given. The hiring manager has a pretty good idea you can do the job, now it comes down to the candidate’s fit – whether you’ll be an effective addition to the team.
So what does that mean for eager candidates who want to land the job of their dreams?
First impressions and presentation matter. Here are the three things to keep in mind to ace that interview
Dress appropriately
Be sure to dress in a smart and professional manner that’s appropriate for the organisation and industry that you’ll be working in. Do your research and use your best judgement; if you’re interviewing for a corporate role, suit and tie and business professional dress is a must. Meanwhile, if you’re looking at joining a start-up venture or creative organisation, you’ll want to look more relaxed but still opt for sharp and presentable.
Body language matters
It’s not what you say but how you say it. You want to come off as confident, pleasant and all around ace team member right from the start. So that means be sure to give a firm handshake and flash a winning smile. Be sure your body language is open and that you appear at ease and confident.
Grammar and speaking
It’s not what you say, but how you say it – and that’s no different to your interview technique. Using proper grammar means you come across as polished and professional. If you’re stuck on a question, ask for moment to compose your response rather than using a lot of filler words (lots of ‘umms’ and ‘ahhs’) in a rush to come up with an answer.
Eye contact
Making eye contact is essential when it comes to building rapport with your interviewer, so smile and look up. However, do be mindful of how long you hold their gaze – you don’t want to come off as too intense either.
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