Landing an interview for your dream job is a significant step, but now you need to make a lasting impression to stand out as one of the top candidates. In today’s crowded job market, this can be challenging. Here are 20 tips from Forbes Human Resources Council members, including Crawford Thomas Recruiting President, William Stonehouse III, to help you nail your job interview and get shortlisted.
The original article can be found here.
1. Understand Your Unique Value
Know what you bring to the table beyond your resume. Present your whole self during the interview. – Caitlin MacGregor, Plum
2. Show Long-Term Company Insight
Understand the company’s long-term plans and discuss how you can contribute to its vision. – Katrina Jones
3. Use Specific Examples
Highlight specific skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. – Kshitij Jain, Joveo
4. Demonstrate Enthusiasm
Show passion for the role, industry, and company. Your excitement can be a decisive factor for hiring managers. – Alex Gillespie, Gillespie Manners
5. Utilize the STAR Method
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure and emphasize your professional accomplishments. – Dr. Timothy J. Giardino
6. Show Interest Throughout
Engage, show enthusiasm, and follow up with the hiring manager to express your interest and how you can contribute to the company’s success. – Janet Vardeman, Avanade
7. Demonstrate Positive Impact
Explain how you can positively impact the organization’s broader strategic aims. – Charlotte Sweeney OBE, Charlotte Sweeney Associates (CSA)
8. Highlight Soft Skills
Showcase your communication, teamwork, and adaptability skills. – CJ Eason, JobFairGiant.com
9. Research Thoroughly
Thoroughly research the company and tailor your responses to align with its values and goals. – Vinamre Gupta, Moody’s Corporation
10. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter
Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight experiences that support your ability to perform the role. – Niki Jorgensen, Insperity
11. Relate Your Skills to the Job
Read job postings carefully and highlight how your skills meet the company’s needs. – Erin ImHof, CertiK
12. Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Prepare questions that demonstrate your knowledge about the company’s culture and recent developments. – Tia Smith, Cognizant
13. Update Social Media Profiles
Ensure your LinkedIn and other professional profiles reflect your achievements and capabilities. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
14. Personalize Applications
Submit personalized job applications tailored to each position and display initiative throughout the hiring process. – Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
15. Be Authentic
Be yourself. Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates. – Dr. Lisa Toppin, Input to Action
16. Leverage Recruiters
Use recruiters as resources to understand what hiring managers are looking for and how to showcase your skills. – Ursula Mead, InHerSight
17. Use Real Examples
Provide specific examples relevant to the role and organization instead of hypotheticals. – Jon Lowe, DailyPay
18. Show Passion for the Mission
Show genuine passion for the company’s mission and practice common interview questions using the STAR method. – Subhash Chandar, Laminaar Aviation Infotech Group
19. Demonstrate Tangible Impacts
Show tangible impacts from previous roles tailored to the hiring company’s challenges. – William Stonehouse, Crawford Thomas Recruiting
20. Position Yourself as an Asset
Speak the company’s language and quantify your impact to position yourself as an asset. – Michael D. Brown, Global Recruiters of Buckhead
Elaborating on Crawford Thomas Recruiting President, William Stonehouse III’s advice below:
To stand out in today’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to show tangible impacts you’ve had in previous roles. This means providing concrete examples of how your work positively influenced your previous employers. William Stonehouse, President of Crawford Thomas Recruiting, emphasizes the importance of tailoring these examples to the specific challenges and opportunities faced by the hiring company.
Here’s how to effectively demonstrate tangible impacts:
1. Identify Relevant Achievements: Review your past roles and identify specific achievements that had a measurable impact. For instance, did you increase sales, improve efficiency, or lead a successful project? Quantify these achievements with numbers, percentages, or other metrics to highlight their significance.
2. Tailor Examples to the Company’s Needs: Research the hiring company to understand its current challenges and strategic goals. Then, select examples from your past that are most relevant to these areas. For instance, if the company is looking to expand its market presence, you could discuss how you successfully led a marketing campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in market share.
3. Use the STAR Method: Structure your examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly explain the context and your contribution. This method helps to organize your thoughts and present your achievements in a compelling narrative.
4. Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your role in achieving the results. Instead of saying, “The team increased sales,” say, “I developed a new sales strategy that increased sales by 20% over six months.” This clarifies your direct contribution.
5. Connect to the New Role: Make explicit connections between your past achievements and the potential impact you could have in the new role. For example, “Given my experience in increasing sales through innovative strategies, I’m confident I can help your company achieve its growth targets.”
By focusing on tangible impacts and aligning them with the hiring company’s needs, you can clearly demonstrate your value and make a compelling case for why you should be shortlisted for the job. This approach not only showcases your skills and experience but also shows that you understand the company’s challenges and are prepared to address them effectively.