A job interview is one of the first impressions, learn the reasons why first impressions are important, and discover the benefits of making a good first impression at an interview. Generally, candidates commit mistakes when they’re interviewing.
Lauren Tropeano, Chief People Officer, Skillshare shared a post on LinkedIn saying, “One of the most common mistakes candidates make when they’re interviewing is that they are focusing on covering too much ground about themselves and their background and not enough about how they can add value for the company their interviewing for.”
“So, when you’re interviewing for a role, make it a point to understand what’s important to your interviewer and how YOU can solve a problem for THEM. This is a familiar tactic for salespeople. It’s no different in this context. You’re selling something (yourself) and you’re hoping for them to buy (offer you a role)”, the post added.
Before you start selling yourself, make sure you:
- Understand the problems and challenges they are looking to solve by hiring for this role. This helps you tailor your responses to what matters most to them throughout the interview.
- Read the job description fully and know a few facts about the company so you can speak intelligently about why you want to work for the company.
- Always research the background (LinkedIn profile) of the person you are interviewing so you understand the context of their role for your conversation and have a fact or two in order to make small talk as you get to know them.
“People LOVE talking about themselves so try to start a conversation by asking a question about them to build rapport and demonstrate your curiosity in getting to know them. When they ask you if you have any questions- make it about THEM, not you. Try asking “How could I help you be successful in your role as a leader if I were hired into this position?”, the post added.
“Finally, always end a conversation by thanking the interviewer for taking the time for your conversation. Let them know you’ve enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know them and that you’re excited for the next step in the process. You can even tell them you had fun in the conversation. Imagine how great it would feel to hear that someone had fun talking with and learning about you…”, the post concluded.