Making an impact at interview stage

Conducting job interviews had always been part of my job. And in my practice, I realized that the decisions I make regarding candidates are actually made within the first few minutes, while the rest of the interview served to validate my initial assumptions about each candidate. The same has been statistically proven in some surveys showing that most hiring decisions are made in the initial few minutes. But have you realized the importance of the initial meeting in consolidating your image during the job interview process?

It has been proven that the strongest element in any interviewee is their level of self-assurance – if they do not believe in themselves, how can they expect others to believe in them? Remember that, generally, all experienced recruiters hire first looking into the candidate attitude and then into their skills. The more positive and genuine the candidates seem, the better prospects they have to be selected.

Your integrity and truthfulness are vital to the job selection process as truth gives you the liberty to answer with sincerity, and there is no need to remember what you said earlier all the time, thereby also boosting your self-confidence and morale. Be original, and remember you are a unique individual. Build upon this factor and your chances will brighten up. Focus on your unique career highlights and USP. Build your presentation around them. Do your homework regarding the company you are applying at, and be specific in your search approach.

On the day of interview, you should take care of your attire and always try to arrive 5-10 minutes early to have some settling in time for yourself. Be passionate about your potential job as this will reflect who you genuinely are. Listen carefully to the interview questions so you are able to respond appropriately. If there is something you don’t understand, ask for clarification. Talk about your past experiences and accomplishments, and tie those relevant experiences to show how they can help you contribute to your potential employer.

Handy Hints
• Use the job interview as a tool for consolidating your image
• Level of self-assurance is a major element for consideration
• Do your homework regarding the company you are applying at