Landing a job interview is only one step in the job-search process. You told a personal story in a cover letter, polished your resume, contacted great references and then nailed the video interview. Now you need to stand out from the crowd and become a rock star candidate during the in-person interview.
Other prospective employees have done what you do. Candidates research the company, practice their elevator pitch and have their attire dry cleaned. Assume your competition has the same skill set, qualifications and great references that you do. So, the key becomes standing out during the job interview. Turn into a rock star candidate with these handy tips.
Get your interviewers talking by engaging with them. Ask them questions about themselves, their roles with the company, how you fit with them and where they see the company in five years. Research their LinkedIn pages to see educational backgrounds, former positions and common colleagues. A rock star candidate makes everyone enjoy the interview by making the show as interactive as possible. In the end, the interviewers remember you for the conversations you had with them.
Ask questions that show you did your homework but that are not the same, run-of-the-mill questions. Offer solutions for dilemmas that companies have experienced. Let your future employer know how to turn embarrassing publicity debacles into a positive. Show how you handled a crisis in the past to help your employer mitigate any fallout from bad press. Find ways to strengthen a company's weaknesses by offering solutions rather than simply spouting off data.
Share details of your problem-solving skills that go beyond your past work experience. Fans want to hear the personal stories of a rock star candidate just as much as they want to hear about professional prowess. Interesting answers that show your depth get noticed.
Distinguish yourself with some minor attribute concerning your attire or appearance. Wear a unique necktie instead of your "power" option. Show off your grandmother's brooch to get a conversation started. The attribute does not have to be over the top or unprofessional, but it does show another side of your personality that sets you apart from other candidates.
Mirror your interviewer's behavior to make him more comfortable with your own nonverbal cues. A rock star candidate practices power poses in the mirror before the performance so everyone perceives the person in a better way.
Hand over a page or two regarding how you plan to spend your first 30, 60 and 90 days at the new job. This is called the briefcase technique because you pull the page out of your briefcase at the end of the interview.
Become a rock star candidate by remembering that you are confident, strong, quick-witted and the best candidate out there. Do not strut in like the job is already yours, but exude practiced confidence, and stand out from the crowd thanks to your one-of-a-kind personality.
Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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