You’re hired 7 signs you’re a great job candidate
When it comes to job interviews, there's mystical folklore surrounding the best tips, tricks and tactics that will help you successfully land the job.
But while the color of your outfit may seem pivotal, the keys to success are a bit more complicated, but very vital.
I've spoken to hundreds of hiring managers over the past five years who have shared the behaviors and traits they look for when interviewing a job candidate.
So if you're looking to master the art of the interview, these are seven traits you simply can't ignore.
1. Emotional intelligence
During an interview, hiring managers will look for you to demonstrate awareness, both in the context of the interview and in terms of your past accomplishments.
Be aware of and express emotion, which shows that you possess empathy for other people. Share the credit for your achievements and commend colleagues or mentors.
This demonstrates selflessness and appreciation for the help of others, a common trait in emotionally intelligent people.
2. Informed
A recent Glassdoor survey of 750 hiring managers revealed that “being informed” is the number one skill candidates should possess to ensure a great interview.
Hiring managers are uniquely positioned to understand the ins and outs of a role, its offerings and the specific characteristics required. Given the breadth of this knowledge, you'll need to do your homework to drive a well-informed and engaging discussion.
Spend time researching the company, your hiring manager (if known), the role and its day-to-day requirements. Come up with a list of well-informed questions and situational answers that will demonstrate your knowledge and pos-
sibly surprise the hiring manager.
3. Active listener
When preparing for an interview, it's understandable to want to focus as much time as possible on your answers. But have you ever thought that active listening might be more instrumental in your success?
Active listening is a technique that requires full concentration and a clear mind. If you're nervous during an interview (which most candidates are), your natural response will either be to over-talk or to wait to chatter away, which is often very obvious.
Breathe deeply, maintain eye contact and actively listen to the hiring manager. Slow down and pause when necessary to best articulate your response.
4. Good manners
You might be the most qualified and deserving candidate in the world, but if you don't act with a certain level of grace and decorum, you risk losing out.
Every touch point within a job interview matters: from the initial email or phone call to your welcome conversation with the secretary or personal assistant. Each interaction offers you a chance to demonstrate thoughtfulness.
Be punctual, don't interrupt other speakers, smile, keep your smartphone out of sight and always remember to say please and thank you.
5. Honesty
This is an absolute deal-breaker. If you lie on your resume or during the interview, you risk being found out. And if you're caught? Well, you can kiss that job opportunity goodbye.
There's never a good reason to lie during a job interview. People respect honesty and will often side with you, if you explain yourself properly. That's not to say you need to reveal the details of every contentious issue in your job history, but be prepared to speak openly about your past.
Be honest about your skills and experience. If there's something that's likely to come up, plan your answer beforehand. Use honesty to build a tacit level of trust and connection with the hiring manager.
6. Motivation
Hiring managers are always inspired by candidates who possess a strong degree of motivation. Increasingly, interviewers are asking questions like, “What motivates you?” and “What is the reason you wake up every morning and come to work?”
Avoid generic answers and sensitive subjects such as money or financial reward.
Use storytelling to explain your motivation and aptitude for business. If it helps, you can discuss how this motivation crosses over into your personal life.
7. Accountability
Every hiring manager has a horror story of a candidate who colorfully criticized past employees, bosses or companies.
Never blame other people, places or things for what didn't work out for you. It shows a victim mentality and is a massive red flag for recruiters.
Don't skirt around the topic of accountability. Use past experience to demonstrate responsibility and ownership of a situation. If you had a terrible boss, don't excoriate him or her. Focus instead on the positive aspects of a past position and what you learned there.
Bryan Adams is the author of
“Getting Goosebumps” and the CEO and founder of digital marketing agency Ph.Creative.