Tag Archives: Interview Skills

What Interviewers Want Candidates to Know

As a job seeker, wouldn’t it be great if you could read your interviewers’ minds? Well, you can’t become a psychic, but you can get a glimpse into the things that hiring managers wish candidates knew about the interviewing process. Here are a few secrets to help give you an edge in your next interview:

They Already Know Quite a Bit About You

Before you even received a call for an interview, the hiring team Googled you. They looked at your LinkedIn page, your other social media profiles, they read your blog, and they conducted various other forms of recon on you. This means you need to always be mindful of your online presence. Even if you think you do a good job of keeping your personal profiles private, it never hurts to Google yourself from time to time so that you can see what potential employers will find when they search for you.

Appearances Do Matter

Nobody likes to admit that they judge books by their covers, but in truth, everyone does. Hiring managers will make assumptions about you based upon the way you dress and carry yourself in an interview. This means that you should always dress professionally and conservatively. For men, a suit and tie is always in order. For women, necklines and hemlines should always be modest. Choose neutral colors, limit jewelry, and go easy on the cologne or perfume. Walk with confidence, use a firm handshake, and make strong eye contact.

Everybody is a Perfectionist and a Team Player

Almost every candidate that sits in the interview chair regurgitates the same canned, practiced and rehashed interview answers over and over again. If hiring managers had quarters for every “team player” and “perfectionist” who walked through their doors, they could all retire. An interviewer genuinely wants to learn about you, so relax and be yourself, and try not to spit back robotic, memorized answers. Be genuine and let your true colors shine through.

The Most Qualified Candidate Doesn’t Always Get the Job

The most qualified candidate is not necessarily the best choice for every job. Hiring managers must consider how well a candidate’s personality will mesh with the team, they must consider a candidate’s values and ethics, and they must also consider soft skills. If a candidate is extremely likeable and passionate about the job, they may actually have a better chance than the most qualified, yet unenthusiastic, candidate. In an interview, you never want to assume that your resume will speak for you. If you want a job, don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm to the interviewer. And if you aren’t the most qualified candidate, you can increase your stock by demonstrating passion and an eagerness to learn.

An excellent way to brush up on your interviewing skills is to work with a professional recruiting firm. Recruiters know their client companies inside and out, and they can help adequately prepare you for each step of the process. If you are looking to work with an effective recruiter, contact The Prevalent Group today. We are a nationally recognized management and executive placement and recruitment agency that works with experienced managers and executives in sales, marketing, engineering, technology and more. We can help you locate job opportunities that align with your long-term personal and professional goals.

Common Interview Mistakes That Even Experienced Candidates Make

There is nothing worse than the feeling that you did something wrong in a job interview. It’s important to remember, however, that we all make mistakes, especially when we are nervous. And while it may seem that some people are masters of the job interview, even experienced candidates can blow it from time to time.

Some of the most common interview mistakes are easy to avoid if you know what they are and how to proactively combat them.

Talking Too Much

When we are nervous, we can often talk too much, which typically leads to poor listening behaviors. From the moment you sit down in the chair, make an effort to listen very closely to each question and to watch your interviewer for nonverbal cues that will let you know if you are rambling. If she starts fidgeting in her chair, for example, it’s probably time to wrap up your answer and move on.

The Big Salary Mistake

Candidates commonly make a big mistake when it comes to salary negotiation. They bring up the subject far too early in the hiring process. Interviewers can be turned off by those who jump right into salary talk.

If the interviewer brings up salary, then it’s perfectly acceptable to talk about your feelings with compensation related to the position. If the topic isn’t broached, then wait until at least the second interview and ask an open-ended question – “What salary range do you have in mind for this position?” Listen carefully to the response before continuing the conversation.

Bringing a Beverage

If you need to fuel up before your interview, it’s only natural to turn to coffee, tea, or soda. While it’s perfectly fine to drink a beverage on the ride to the employer’s office, it’s essential to leave the cup behind. Having a drink in front of you makes it very easy to become distracted – you may stare at the cup out of nervousness, miss a question while taking a sip, or you may even spill the drink on yourself, the desk, or the interviewer.

Letting Your Guard Down Too Much

When you’re really getting along with your interviewer and you find you have several things in common, it can be very easy to let your guard down and reveal too much personal or irrelevant information. Always remember that no matter how much you may like the interviewer as a person, you must remain professional at all times.

Lack of Preparation

Even the most seasoned job seeker can underprepare for an interview. Underpreparing can take many forms. It may mean you didn’t spend enough time researching the company, perhaps you didn’t realize that the interview would include behavioral questions or that the format would be team-interview style.

Do as much research as you can before stepping into an interview. Use resources like Glasdsoor’s interview tool to help you learn what the process is like, and what you can expect from your interview. Research the company and be ready for an interview that may include behavioral questions.

Another great way to prepare for interviews and avoid potential mistakes is to partner with a professional recruiter. If you are a professional in engineering, information technology, operations, sales, or marketing, and you are looking for new and exciting career opportunities, contact The Prevalent Group today. We are a nationally recognized management and executive placement and recruitment agency that works with innovative organizations in Northern Illinois and beyond. We can help you locate job opportunities that align with your long-term personal and professional goals, and we can help prepare you for interviews so that you make a positive impression each and every time.

How To Ace Your Next Phone Interview

Telephone interviews are easy to gloss over. They aren’t as formal as in-person interviews, and you can get away with participating in your pajamas. However, phone interviews are a critical step in the process, as they give both employers and candidates a chance to evaluate fit. Acing a phone interview all comes down to preparation. With the right amount of advanced work, you can enter each telephone interview with confidence and poise.

Revisit Your Research

You likely spent time researching the potential employer before you applied for the position, but as you gear up for your phone interview, you should revisit that research, and spend some time digging a little deeper to get a better understanding of the company’s history, structure, and current position in the market. Spend some time researching the people you may be interacting with, as well. LinkedIn can be an invaluable research tool for phone interview preparation.

Prepare Questions

Your interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. It’s important to have some thoughtful questions prepared to show the interviewer that you are truly interested in the positon. Good questions may cover topics such as training and onboarding processes, career development opportunities, and the steps involved in the hiring process itself. Be sure that your questions are open-ended, rather than yes or no style questions. Always, always, always remember to ask the interviewer about the next steps.

Let Your Enthusiasm Shine

Even if your interview is scheduled first thing in the morning, be sure that your tone of voice is cheerful and enthusiastic. Take advantage of the fact that you’re on the phone – it’s far less intimidating than face-to-face interviews, and you can sit in a position that is most comfortable for you. If you are extremely nervous, a great tip is to smile while you speak. After a while, your “fake” smile will become a real smile and you will start to relax.

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

At the end of the call, be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time. If you are still interested in the position, be clear about that interest and get a firm confirmation of the next steps. Make a note of the interviewer’s timeline so that you can follow up if you do not hear back.

Partner With A Recruiter

If you are looking to work with an effective recruiter, contact The Prevalent Group today. We are a nationally recognized management and executive placement and recruitment agency that works with experienced managers and executives in sales, marketing, engineering, technology and more. We can help you locate job opportunities that align with your long-term personal and professional goals, and we can help you perfect your interviewing skills so that you ace both phone and in-person meetings with hiring managers.