The Secret to a Successful Interview

The Secret to a Successful Interview How many times have you been to an interview for a job you were perfect for, you  had exceeded all the qualifications, the person seemed to like you, and things  seemed to go perfectlybut then you called or emailed to follow up and got the  dreaded “We went with another candidate” response? Your resume was perfect, you looked like a million bucks, you smiled, you  researched and demonstrated you knew the company inside and you, and you “sold  yourself” like the complete, perfect package. So what was missing? What sealed the deal for another candidate? What could they possibly have that  you didn’t? Well, because we can’t see every other candidate being interviewed, it’s often  difficult, if not impossible, to tell what other candidates said, did, or had  that you didn’t. However, I recently talked to an HR professional who really understood what was  important in a good worker, and what an interviewer is looking for in any  candidate they hire. I’ve also found that nearly all interviewers see this trait (mostly  unconsciously) as the most important quality in a candidate. It also happens  to be the easiest thing to demonstrate, instantly make you stand out in  almost any interview line-up, and makes any employer look upon you as a highly desirable candidate, but almost no one who goes into an interview focuses on it. How to stand out in any interview The key ingredients to a successful interview are: PASSION LOYALTY. When most of us read interview books that tell us to “sell ourselves” to an  employer, it’s usually all about trying to sell yourself to the employer’s logical brain… but what’s the one thing employers want from workers more than  anything? For example, what if you were in an interview, and the interviewer said: I just  interviewed a candidate with a perfect grade point average, who has more  experience than you, and has worked for X, Y, Z companies… why should I choose  you? Almost anyone would be stumped for an answer! This is where you override the interviewer’s answer by teaching them a different  way of looking at things by using passion. Imagine you said: You know, one thing I’ve found all my life is: there’s nothing you can’t  teach a person. You can teach a person to do any job on the planet, but the one thing you can’t teach is passion! I like to challenge myself every single day: I  like to learn from others, and I work hard to give the best I possibly can to  people. I believe you’re looking for someone who’s honest, who can give you  loyalty, and who is looking for a company they can grow with. I’m looking for a  company who is passionate about what they do, who is constantly pursuing  excellence, and wants employees who are going to love what they do, love coming  to work every day, and who can grow with you, learn, work, and be a team player. No matter how good someone’s qualifications may be, there are many other factors that are even more important than someone’s education or experience, and he  could come here to get career advancement, then just up and leave. I value  honesty when I give my word to someone I keep it, and I can tell you that  if you’re loyal to me, and willing to help me grow, I’ll be loyal to you, and  look forward to growing with you as a company. A good interview is all about what you communicate This is very powerful, because it sends all the messages about you that go much  deeper than just communicating that you look good on paper (because a lot of  candidates do). You’ve communicated something that will truly stand out to an employer:  you’re honest, a team player and someone looking to grow and learn  (meaning you’re open to working with others). This is significant, especially today, when you consider that you’re up against  30 people in an interview. You need a way to stand out that goes beyond just smiling, showing a good resume, or experience.  What employers are really  interviewing is you; their main goal is to make sure you’re the best fit for  their company and are going to be a good long-term investment. If you can  communicate that you’ll be the biggest asset to the company because of your  passion and dedication, many times that’s more important to employers then  what’s on your resume alone (and I’ve had many HR professionals I’ve spoken with  confirm this). Remember to show yourself Remember on your next interview that passion is the biggest asset you can take  with you to stand out. If an employer knows you want to be the  best at whatever you do; that you have a desire to work hard, and do whatever it  takes to make the company a success that will stand out a lot more than simply  your resume or experience alone. Chris Nosal is a communication skills, marketing expert, and blogger, who  consults with businesses and marketers through private consultations. You can  learn more about Chris at his  blog.