How to stand out from the crowd

When it is time to wow your potential employers, it can be difficult to set yourself apart from the rest of the candidates. Once you get your foot in the door with an interview, it is time to make your impression. First impressions count, remember to dress the part and greet those you are meeting with a polite smile and a handshake.

Prepare yourself

As soon as your interview time is confirmed, you should start your preparation. Study the job spec as well as the company website – your research is integral to your interview. The way to wow your potential employer is to show that you care – brush up on your knowledge, and prepare questions which you can ask yourself. Importantly, you should always prepare answers for conventional interview questions, as well as competency based questions asked in interviews. The night before your interview, ensure you get a good night’s sleep, lay out your clothes and allow yourself enough time to get ready. Plan your travel and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your interview.

Positive mind

Positivity is key when job hunting – employers want staff who are happy to pick up any role necessary. A can-do attitude can be the most beneficial tool, so aim to be a part of the yes movement and reap the rewards. Be attentive throughout your interview, and always check your posture – by slouching, you could appear disinterested and bored. Carrying out a SWOT analysis on yourself can be very useful – this way you can break down your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and work on your weaknesses and see what you can improve. Be yourself, be genuine. Think of your best qualities, and be sure these come across within the meeting.

What to say

Of course, you should know how to present yourself in an interview, and though it may seem obvious, never mention salary expectations within the first part of the interview unless asked. Always ask whether there is room for career growth within the company – by asking this question, it shows your potential employer that you are keen to grow, not only in your career but within their organisation. Another important question to ask is about their current training opportunities. Again, it will show you are looking to further your skills at their company.

Ask about the company culture and where your role would sit in its current structure – this way you can get a better understanding of the team and how you would fit in. Often you will be asked complex questions, it is always best to clarify this question rather than answering it in a way that you are unsure.

Get social

Social media is crucial to modern day business. Get active on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – most companies run their own social media accounts, so set up professional social media accounts and get following recruiters and potential employers. LinkedIn, in particular, is a powerful tool in the job hunt.

You need to make the most of these social media platforms, as these present a huge opportunity to sell yourself to a huge market. That said, it’s worth spending time thinking about the way you will come across when publishing status updates and tweets. Though posts can be deleted, it can never be guaranteed that they have not been seen. Having an active presence online is of great importance, but remember to keep it professional.

Experience

Be sure to discuss your experience in great detail. Your experience is what will help you get the job. If you have an impressive portfolio of work, take it to the interview with you to show your interviewer what you can do. Explain what you can offer the company and relate your experience to your potential responsibilities.

And breathe…

Yes, interviews can be nerve racking, particularly when you are very keen on a role. Interviewers expect candidates to be nervous in an interview, so if you really want to stand out, try not to be! Be the person who enters the interview room with confidence – polish your shoes and walk in with perfect posture, ensure you carry yourself well. Breathing is so important when being interviewed. Keep your breathing regulated as it will keep you calm and ready for any question asked.

Be confident, yet modest – the interviewer does not want to listen to a candidate bragging. Most importantly, believe in yourself! It is a great achievement for an agency to put you forward for a role. You are the person they are wanting to see, which is a huge positive and something to be proud of.

Author David Morel Tiger Recruitment Team