While an employer (or recruitment company) may interview dozens of qualified and even competent candidates for a position, only the candidate(s) that stand out get to secure the job. One of the reasons why is because the employer needs not only a qualified person, but also someone enthusiastic, well-rounded, and capable of withstanding pressures that come with the job among other qualities. That said, the interviewer will always look for traits such as confidence, an outgoing personality, and a hard worker when interviewing all these candidates. Outlined below are a few tips and tricks on how to stand out at a job interview.
1. Be Confident
Showing confidence in your capacity to fulfil delegated duties during an interview can help you secure the position. Many employers today wish to have employees who are not only confident in themselves, but also capable of handling themselves well even when under pressure. Making eye contact when responding to questions, how you shake hands, and how well you answer questions do tell a lot about your confidence. Hesitating to answer even the simplest of questions may force the interview to think you are incompetent or unsure of yourself. That said, it would be advisable to maintain eye contact, give a firm handshake, and answer questions thoroughly and authoritatively to leave a positive impression. A confident person is more likely to adapt to a new work environment faster than someone with confidence issues.
2. Be Aware of Yourself (Self-Awareness)
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. That said, an interviewer may ask about your greatest weaknesses at some point in the interview. While answering the question honestly might be the way to go, the employer might only want to know if you know of your strengths and weaknesses and not the details. The same applies when the interviewer asks you to tell ‘them’ about yourself. Giving well-thought and intelligent responses to these questions will provide you with extra marks too. This is the reason you need to prepare well for the interview, and do your homework well before the D-day. While one or two of the questions asked might be too hard to answer, there’s no harm not knowing all the answers.
3. Show Initiative
Almost everyone waiting to be interviewed prepared well for this chance; this means you need to have a lot more to offer than the skills required and experience. Employers only hire individuals they believe will be able to produce results when given a chance. This means your problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to work independently will be put to the test. This can be demonstrated through how you handled previous jobs, insights you have on the company, and anything else you have to offer. Some people are naturally creative and won’t have any issues collaborating with other employees in the company. This is what the employer wishes to see during the interview. Taking responsibility for assigned tasks and being able to work with minimal supervision will earn you more points as well.
4. Enthusiasm
You need to be enthusiastic about the job. While you might not be able to show it during a job interview, the interviewer will be able to tell through the questions they ask and how well you respond to the same. As long as you are enthusiastic and will-driven, the interviewer will have even more reasons to give you a chance. Be sure to outline some of the things you can do for the company to show your capabilities and interest in the position. A positive tone is required even when everything seems to be working against you.
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