When it comes to interviews we often only think about me, me, me. What should I wear? What should I say? But what about the person interviewing you? What do THEY want? We're here to help! When you walk in for your next interview, here are five things that your job interviewer really wants from you:
Interviewers Want You To...
- Be The One: It may be hard to imagine, but interviewers are actually on your side. When you walk in for a job interview, the person on the other side of the desk really wants you to be the one - the perfect fit for their position so they can stop searching. So be your normal, charming self and make a great first impression.
- Leave an Impression: Job candidates are often remembered by their uniqueness rather than their resume. You might not be remembered because you know HTML or went to Harvard, but you WILL be remembered as the man with the Lego Cufflinks, or the woman who runs marathons. In short, says Inc.com, "interviewers may have remembered you by “hooks” -- whether flattering or unflattering -- so use that to your advantage. Your hook could be your clothing, or an outside interest, or an unusual fact about your upbringing or career."
- Ask Questions: If there are important things you need to know, interviewers want to hear them. Have a couple questions lined up before you walk in the room, as NOT asking questions is a major no-no. The Muse says "not having any questions for the interviewer basically says that you’re not interested enough to learn any more. Have some thoughtful questions prepared, and your interview will feel more like a conversation than a firing squad." We're quite fond of this magic interview question.
- Be a Good Fit: PongoResume.com let's you in on a secret: The most qualified candidate never gets the job. "You may match the job description perfectly, but that doesn’t mean you’re the best candidate or are entitled to the job. 'Fit' is probably the most important hidden criterion." A good cultural fit for the company relies on humor, maturity, confidence, etc. That's why it's especially important to let your personality shine through.
- Follow Up: Every interviewer appreciates you taking the time to send a thank you after your meeting. Want to REALLY leave a good impression? Stand out from the group and personalize your thank you. "What we really like is when you follow up based on something we discussed," Jeff Haden writes for Inc. "Maybe we talked about data collection techniques, so you send me information about a set of tools you strongly recommend. Maybe we talked about quality, so you send me a process checklist you developed that I could adapt to use in my company."
Ready to walk in and nail your next job interview now? Find a job to apply to from our creative and digital staffing assortment or submit your resume here.
