How To Stand Out From Other Candidates In A Job Interview
Job interviews are challenging, exciting and at the same time quite nerve racking experiences. I am sure that everyone who goes along to a job interview wants to do their best. Yet in reality individuals success in job interviews can vary significantly.
In many ways what differentiates the best candidates from the rest is at the margins. At the same time there are many things that you can do to stand out from other candidates in job interviews.
Research The Company
In the days before the internet you might have been forgiven if you did not know about the company. With Google and social media being so prevalent you need to be able to demonstrate that you know about the company, their products, services, customers and clients.
Research The Sector
Most candidates will do some basic research on the company. Fewer will go to the next step and research the sector. If you can demonstrate you know about the sector, the competitors, the major players, the challenges and opportunities you will shine compared to others.
Understand The Role
It might surprise you but a lot of people apply for roles without even really understanding the role and job content. Quite often this is because they just rely on what is on the advert on a job board for example. Find out as much as you can about the role.
Understand The Success Factors
There are certain things in every job that are going to contribute to someone being a success in a role and you have to be able to demonstrate that you match those success factors.
It is more than likely that it will be a blend of experience, knowledge, hard and soft skills that will contribute to success in a role.
Know Why You Want The Job
Of course financial remuneration is a factor but it is not the thing that is going to motivate longer term. Be able to articulate very clearly and convincingly 3 to 5 reasons why you want the job.
Know What You Have To Offer
A job interview is an opportunity to showcase what you have to offer an employer. In my experience the majority of candidates, particularly those from professional backgrounds tend to understate what they have to offer.
Think of this in terms of a 5 minute pitch of what you will bring and contribute if you get the job.
Be Self Confident
You don’t want to come across as arrogant and at the same time you don’t want to come across as being unsure of yourself. Self confidence for me is about having the inner belief that what you have to offer is valuable and being comfortable talking about yourself.
Talk In Specifics
A lot of people trot out generic phrases or statements when talking about themselves. A better strategy is to talk in terms of specifics or what you have actually done. Use examples to illustrate and bring alive your experience.
The truth is that there is an awful lot of simple but effective things that you can do to stand out from the crowd in job interviews.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants to achieve more career success. He invites you to sign up for his free report The 7 Biggest Barriers To A Successful Career In Accountancy.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.