In today’s labor market, competition is stiff. Nearly everyone has a college degree; every candidate has ample experience; individuals are all, for the most part, highly motivated and driven. Even if you’re qualified (or over-qualified) for the job, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it. Here are 5 ways you can differentiate yourself at your next job interview.
1) Do Your Homework
Don’t go into your next job interview empty-handed. Arm yourself with knowledge of what the company does, why they do what they do, and who the major players are. Understanding the story behind the company will not only let your interviewers know that you’re a self-starter who’s willing to do the legwork, but it’ll also give you some context when you’re answering the interview questions .
Doing your homework before your job interview isn’t difficult. Start with a Google search to get an overview of the company. Make sure you check out the corporate website and sites like Glassdoor.com, which can give you a lot of insight into how current employees feel about the company, some pains they may be facing, and some of the strengths that the company has. Check out your interviewers on LinkedIn and familiarize yourself with who you’re talking to. Read the blog. The more you know going into the interview, the better prepared you’ll be no matter what questions arise.
2) Build Real Connections with Your Interviewers
In addition to doing your homework and researching those who will be interviewing you, spend some time in the interview building real, personal connections with your interviewers. While you’re researching beforehand, find out if you have anything in common - a mutual connection or a shared hobby. Then, once in the interview, be sure to ask questions of your interviewers - not only about their job, but questions about them that are asked with intention and from a place of true curiosity. Your interviewers will appreciate your interest and eagerness to learn - something that could truly set you apart when it comes to choosing the right person for the job.
3) Speak about “Why,” not “What.”
The company that you’re interviewing with doesn’t want to hire someone who views the position as “just a job” that’ll get them through to the next thing. They want to hire someone who will be there for a long time, not just to avoid turnover cost, but to further their mission with a group of people who believe in it. When you’re interviewing, don’t just talk about what the job is, but why you feel like you’re a good fit for it. Dive into the “why” behind what the company does, and relate to the values present in the owner’s mission. If your interviewers feel like you truly understand what the company is about and feel you’re a good fit for the reasons behind the “what,” they’re more likely to choose you for the position than someone who only sees it at surface value.
4) Account for Generational Differences
One of the biggest issues in inter-office communication, and communication overall, is that of generational differences. For the first time ever, there are five different, completely unique generations in the workforce (Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y - Milennials, and Gen Z), with five totally different communication styles and expectations. It’ll go a long way if you can bridge these differences at the interview stage, especially because your interviewers will likely be from a different generation than yours. Do some reading beforehand to understand the generalities of how each generation communicates, but be careful not to make generational generalizations. Listen, be present, and have your research in mind. Take cues from how the conversation is going and what type of questions are being asked. Once again, going into the interview armed with knowledge is key.
5) Follow Up with a Thank You Note
We all know that follow-up is important after an interview, but the follow-up email has become an afterthought - a throwaway - typed up with little care and dashed out as an interview requirement. Take the time to write thoughtfully. Go over the interview in your mind. What were some points that really resonated with you? Can you sign off with something personal like wishing the interviewer well on a trip that they spoke about? After you send this thoughtful follow up email, make sure you also mail or drop off a hand-written thank you note. This will immediately differentiate you in your interviewers’ minds.
Are you ready to take the deep dive into cultivating real, meaningful relationships in your workplace and personal life? When you sign on with Future Image Group, you’re giving your employees, your company, and yourself a gift that will serve you for decades to come. Not only are you investing in the careers and lives of those you employ, but you’re also setting up the legacy of your business for long-lived success.
To get started with FIG curriculum in your workplace, get in touch with us! Talk soon!