Standing Out from the Crowd in Your Next Job Interview
We all know that job interviews are just part of the process of getting on in our careers. Perhaps we all wish at times that they were easier and not such a challenge.
Yet in my experience rather than being easier, doing well and standing out from the crowd in job interviews is actually becoming harder.
Of course there are often a series of small things that you can do that gives you that little edge and is the difference between an offer and rejection.
So what would I suggest you do if you want to stand out from the crowd in your next job interview?
Prepare More
Having spoken with hundreds of people over the years and interviewed many, the reality is that most people only ever under prepare for interviews. Unsurprisingly the under prepared candidate gets found out in tough interviews.
Research More
When I started out in work in 1980 there was no Google, LinkedIn and other technology to help you do a lot of research. That has all changed now. As well as knowing about the company you are interviewing with, you need to know about the competitors and the industry.
Talk Achievements
Potential employers are interested in what you have done and can get a good degree of insight from your CV and your LinkedIn profile. What will really get them interested is hearing about your achievements. The reason for this is that as you talk through what you have achieved and how you did it, you are sharing a lot about yourself.
Talk Potential
More often than not when people are moving jobs they are looking to get to the next level. While your achievements are great for showing what you have done, employers are also looking to see that you have the potential to operate at that next level. Being armed with concrete examples of your potential will give you the edge over other candidates.
The Bottom Line: Interviews and the subsequent decision to appoint someone are major investments of both time and money for employers. Make sure you provide the assurance that you are the ideal person to appoint.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants and professionals achieve more career success. Learn more here
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.