Are you the person they’re looking for?
ONCE you get a call for a job interview, congratulations, you have succeeded in the first step of many in getting a job and it’s all due to your well-written resume and cover letter.
During the interview stage, hiring managers are most likely wanting to know more about your personality and potential. What exactly do hiring managers look for in a candidate? Here’s how you can make sure that you’ll pass the interview stage. Can you handle the job demands? Work requirements will differ from job to job, but the hiring manager will always be searching for someone who can step in and make a smooth transition. Do research on the job’s role and compare it to the skills that you currently possess.
Questions from the interviewer may cover topics such as work scope, workload and speed. When questions concerning these topics are asked, you should use this opportunity to demonstrate your ability to handle the requirements of the role.
For instance, when describing your employment experience, emphasise the abilities that apply to the job and how these skills will add value to the organisation. Are you really interested in the job? The interviewer would also want to know if you are willing to put in the effort, and show perseverance, once in the role.
Nobody wants to employ an individual who gets bored, loses focus and walks out in six months. If you want to win the race and get recruited sooner, one thing you must do in each interview is show a desire for the relevant job.
Prove that you have been doing your research and that you’re excited about the job. One of the interview questions that could be asked in this scenario is, “Why should we choose you?” Respond by providing an example of how you persevered to ensure you met the company goals in your last job and how you can bring in new strategies based on your previous position to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
“Someone with loyalty, commitment and grit is likely to create more value for a company than someone who is brilliant,” says Steve Benson, founder and chief executive officer of Badger Maps, a sales productivity and planning app for salespeople in the field. How confident are you? The interviewer will expect you to be nervous, but they will still want to see that you are confident in your abilities. Being confident (but not arrogant) can make you more likeable and increase your likelihood of getting hired.
Geoff Scott, career adviser and resume expert at Resume Companion once quoted, “Candidates that are sincerely enthusiastic about their potential role within a company are valued because it’s believed that they are more likely to stick around.”
It shows your willingness to face job difficulties. One of the ways they would test your confidence is by asking hard questions about the work itself. You can answer by telling hiring managers how you would handle work issues through your problemsolving skills based on your position.
Stay calm and practise these interview questions before the day of the interview itself to help you be more familiar. Can you fit in well with the team and organisation?
General manager Marisa South of Vet & Pet Jobs, a career website for employers and jobseekers in the veterinary industry, says, “Often times, technical skills can be taught far more easily than interpersonal skills. Is the candidate able to hold a conversation while smiling and positively interacting with other members of the team?” This is an important part of what hiring managers seek in an interview. A successful candidate can be an efficient addition to the team and organisation.
Managers will ask questions about your level of maturity, your ability to learn rapidly and other personal characteristics. Be true to who you are, but also indicate that you are flexible and capable of working with a lot of individuals.
In the end, try to relax and have a good conversation with the interviewer. Whether or not an interview leads to a job offer, this is a valuable experience and a learning opportunity for the next interview.
One of the interview questions that could be asked by hiring managers is, “Why should we choose you?” Respond by providing an example of how you persevered to ensure you met the company goals in your last job and how you can bring in new strategies based on your previous position to achieve the organisation’s objectives.