If you find yourself reeling from a great interview but later find that your efforts do not produce results or job offers, it may be time to evaluate your interview techniques. Although you may answer interview questions professionally, employers are often seeking personality as well. Secure more job offers by learning how to impress hiring managers both personally and professionally.
Ask Questions
A great interview relies heavily on a mutual respect between you and the interviewer. Instead of rambling off a list of your skills and experiences, spend time asking questions to gain more insight about the position and company. Research the business thoroughly, and craft questions that demonstrate your eagerness to learn more about how the organization operates. Hiring managers are often impressed when candidates show a genuine interest in the company's successes and goals for the future.
Move Away From Scripted Answers
Resist the temptation to provide scripted answers to questions. Ensure a great interview by offering specific examples that showcase your leadership abilities. For example, if an interviewer asks about your leadership style, stray from detailing generic traits and approaches. Instead, offer concrete examples that outline how you handled challenges as a manager and improved employee morale by demonstrating traits you expect of your staff.
Put Your Personality on Display
Employers want to know how you could potentially fit in with the company culture. Put your personality on display to show the hiring manager that you have the traits the company is seeking. Conduct a great interview by answering questions with a smile, detailing positive elements of your relationships with co-workers and clients and offering lighthearted anecdotes so the employer can see who you really are as an individual and a potential employee.
Avoid Monopolizing the Conversation
One clear element of a great interview is the mutual respect between both individuals. Show that you are respectful by listening intently to the interviewer. Allow the hiring manager to lead the conversation and take cues from this individual so you know when to start speaking or injecting your thoughts. A job candidate who is too bold or boisterous, thus dominating the conversation, demonstrates an unwillingness to work as a team. Show that you are able to both listen and offer insight by reading nonverbal cues. When the interviewer asks you a direct question, answer with a brief and concise response. Wait for pauses in the conversation to ask questions and avoid interrupting.
Practice is crucial for applicants seeking to engage in a great interview that produces a positive outcome. Evaluate your interview techniques by meeting with professionals within your network to rehearse your answers to common interview questions. Work on your ability to conduct a meaningful conversation that displays your professionalism and unique personality.
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