Job searching? Ways to make yourself standout- #3- Stand out in the Interview!

Previous blogs in this series:

Job searching? Ways to make yourself standout- #1 Online

Job searching? Ways to make yourself standout- #2- Stand out on Paper!

Standing Out In Interviews

Think of it as the final hurdle between you and the job of your dreams. Prepare to make a killer impression that the hiring manager will remember positively.

Do your homework: 

Researching the company is essential.  You want to express knowledge of the company and it’s product line, competitors, and trends in the industry. Review the company’s social media sites and get a feel for their corporate culture. Learn the buzzwords by which the company promotes themselves. Think about those interview questions you know you will be asked and have answers.  Likewise, have questions in mind you want to ask.

Focus on that all-important first impression:

The saying “First impressions are everything” has never been more true than in an interview.  Professional dress, a firm handshake, good eye contact are all important. Introduce yourself and listen for the interviewer’s name—then use it at least twice out loud so you’ll remember it.

Practice “mirroring”:

Pay attention to the interviewer’s attitudes and behaviors. Observe the interviewer’s energy level and try to match it in your response. If their energy level is high, try matching it in your responses.  This also applies to answering questions.  If the question is posed using detailed facts and figures, give your answer using the same framework.

Remember the STAR: 

The STAR method is an effective way to answer experience-based interview questions that will help you impress hiring managers. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result: explain the situation and the task you were assigned, describe what you did (action), and reveal the outcome (result).

Asking questions is a good thing: 

When you’re given a complicated interview question, feel free to ask questions of your own in response. Often, the interviewer is looking less at your answers, and more at how you approach and solve problems. You should also never leave an interview without asking some questions of your own about the company, the position, and anything else that may be important—such as how to follow up.

-from The Key Corporate Services Blog Team