We all want to make the best impression we can during an interview. Its crucial to maximizing your chance of getting the position. Luckily, there are a few things that recruiters love to see that can help make that first impression a good one. While some of these tips may seem obvious, they are also widely neglected. Something as simple as presenting yourself in a positive way or arriving on time can make a big difference in how a recruiter views you. While some of the tips below may seem obvious, they are nonetheless important and are guaranteed to get you on your interviewer’s good side.
Being On Time And Prepared
If there is one thing a recruiter loves, its a candidate that comes in for their interview on time and completely prepared. They have their resume, a pen and note pad for taking notes, and anything that the interviewer asked them to bring in with them. Coming in prepared shows the recruiter your ability to think ahead and plan, and also provides an example of your organizational and active listening skills. Make sure you always pay attention when setting up your interview and take note of anything the interviewer asks you to bring with you and be sure to bring it along with your interview essentials.
Good Presentation
Whenever you are going in for interview, its important to keep in mind that this is most likely the first time you will be meeting with the recruiter, and you want to make sure you make you look your best. Always dress professionally, be courteous to anyone you interact with, give a firm handshake, maintain steady eye contact, and speak clearly and concisely during the interview. How you present yourself reflects the type of worker you will be on the job, and you want to be sure that your presentation is professional and confident.
You Articulate Value
An interview isn’t just about you finding out if the job is right for, its also about the recruiter finding out what you can add to their company. The candidates that interviewers love the most are the ones that can communicate their value clearly and provide examples of work they’ve done in the past. Your value comes from your experience and unique skill set that sets you apart from other candidates. Comprise a short list of your strengths and weaknesses and be sure to share them with your recruiter during the interview. When discussing your weaknesses, be sure to include ways in which you have successfully overcome them in the past. This shows initiative and communicates to your recruiter that you can move past your weaknesses to get the job done.
You Know Your Stuff
Walking into your interview knowing what you’re talking about not only puts your mind at ease, but also gives you an air of professionalism and confidence that is very attractive to recruiters. And we’re not just talking about knowing the ins-and-outs of your resume and experience (which is still important). No, we’re talking about going above and beyond. If you walk in with knowledge of the industry as a whole, or even better, the company you’re interviewing for, it shows the recruiter that you take this position and your career seriously; and that you have an interest in the company that goes beyond just “getting a job”. Again, interviewers are looking for you to communicate your value, and a knowledgeable and company-minded candidate definitely brings value to the table.
Sending A Thank You Note
You’d be surprised, but this is something that recruiters absolutely LOVE to see! Thank you notes not only brighten a recruiter’s day, but they also give you even more of a professional reputation. Think of it as the cherry on top of your interview sundae. It may not seem like it adds much to the whole experience, but its a nice finishing touch that brings the whole thing together. The best avenue is to compose a personalized email to send to the recruiter that interviewed you thanking them for their time, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE INTERVIEW WENT. Good or bad, you should still thank an interviewer for taking time out of their day to speak with you. While it may not seem too important, it could be the difference maker that gets you the position; especially if the competition was close and no one else thought to send a thank you.