Throughout the interview process, you want to come across as friendly, helpful, a team player and ... [+]
The job market has become tougher and more competitive for white-collar professionals. On a nearly daily basis, companies have announced significant layoffs. Since more people are hunting for jobs, the competition becomes more intense.
For those who’ve been laid off, the job search is more difficult. When you have a job, there isn’t as much pressure. If you don’t get the offer, you still have a job, even if you don’t love it. A person who is in between roles doesn’t have that luxury. With high inflation and everyday costs rising, being without a job causes stress and anxiety over the family's financial situation.
You Want To Be A Problem Solver
The goal is to help improve the work-life of your new boss. Before launching into your elevator pitch, ask the hiring manager, interviewers, human resources personnel and others involved with the interview process questions, such as, “With all the applicants for this role, why did you select me for an interview?”
The rationale behind this question is to elicit a response from the hiring manager to discuss in detail why they selected you and what they need help with. The interviewer will look for reasons why you were chosen. They’ll articulate all the positive things you have that are critical to the job.
The follow-up question should be, “What are the top pressure points I can help you with?” The interviewer will lay out all the problems that must be addressed by asking this seemingly innocuous question. With a little probing, you’ll learn about an array of issues weighing them down and needing to be immediately fixed.
Armed with these insights, you can then specifically tailor your pitch. Since you now have a good grasp of what is mission-critical to succeeding in the role, you can clearly and concisely share how your skills, responsibilities and talents are perfectly aligned with tackling the pain points.
Likability Counts
Throughout the interview process, you want to come across as friendly, helpful, a team player and someone who will add value to the team and company. Let them know that you appreciate the opportunity and will do everything within your power to help make a positive impact, while also being easy to work with.
Most interviewees believe having an Ivy-League pedigree or coming from a marquee brand company is sufficient to get the job offer. Certainly, having a top academic background and working at premiere companies help. However, the manager is only human and wants someone easy to get along with.
The new employee could become a liability if they hire a rockstar jerk. The person could be pompous, arrogant and rub co-workers the wrong way. This will impact the boss. Senior-level managers and staff will question the manager’s hiring decisions and blame the person for making a mistake in bringing this person aboard.
Now Is Not The Time To Play Games
There’s no reason to play “hard to get.” The job market for college-educated office workers is too intense for playing games. Since many candidates will be competing against you, stand out by letting the supervisor, hiring manager and human resources professional know that you want the job. Explicitly tell them, “I love the opportunity and enjoyed meeting with everyone. I’m all-in with your corporate mission and would love to accept the job, if it is offered to me.”
Don’t Forget The Niceties
One of the best ways to stand out is to be friendly, polite and accommodating. Set up convenient interview times for the hiring personnel, and thank them for the invitation to interview. Thoroughly research the company, the job description, its people, management, finances, products and services and reputation relative to competitors. The goal is to arrive at the interview with a lot of knowledge about the organization, which everyone will notice and respect you for it.
What To Do At The End Of The Interview
As the interview winds down, ask the hiring manager, “Is there anything else that you’d like to know about me? Am I the right fit for the role?”
The first inquiry can flesh out any lingering questions the interviewer has or forgot to ask. You can also tell by the tone of the person’s response how well you did. If the answer is short and curt, it’s not a good sign. The latter inquiry will draw out the real thoughts of the manager, as they’re put on the spot.
It's a bold call to make this ask. The interviewer could say, “You are great for the job. We’ll have you back for a follow-up interview.” If the person is hesitant or offers reasons why you may not be selected to move forward, it gives you one last chance to address the concerns and launch into one last pitch, extolling all the reasons why you’re right for the role and will add value, if hired.
