What are recruiters looking for during interviews?

So, the recruiter was impressed with your resume and called you for an interview. In your mind you should get the job, right? So why didn’t you get hired?

Well, hiring managers can eliminate potential candidates for any number of reasons. Some of those reasons don’t have anything to do with the candidate’s background. One recruiter told me in a major hiring blitz that to reduce the number of resumes she had to review she discarded resumes with the watermark on the wrong side of the page. But there are other things you have more control over if you’re not cut from consideration because of your resume.

Here are 10 areas to work on before going on your next interview.

1. First Impression – If you’re abrasive, unconfident or your personality just doesn’t appeal to the interviewer, that feeling might decrease your time in the office. Try to make the interviewer comfortable with you.

2. Listening Ability – Did you show that you heard the question the interviewer actually asked and that you’re not just answering what you expected him to ask with a rehearsed, non-relevant response?

3. Succinctness – Likewise, you should only answer what you’re asked using the least amount of words to get to the point without rambling or being curt.

4. Ability - Your resume says you’ve done this type of work before, but can you do this job if you’re tested during the interview?  

5. Availability – You want the job and can do the job, but you’re just checking out the job market and aren’t ready to change jobs yet.

6. Leadership Skills – Whether you’re applying for a supervisory position or a job with no authority, does your demeanor fit the job you’re being considered to fill? Are you coming across as too aggressive when a more reserved personality would be a better fit or visa versa?

7. Company Knowledge – A hiring manager can drop you from consideration because you don’t know enough about her company. You shouldn’t treat the interview like it’s just any company. Each recruiter feels her company is unique and wants to see that you took the time to research the company’s history.

8. Environment Match – Do you look like you’ll fit into the existing atmosphere? Are you applying to work in a place where most of the workers are in their early 20s and you’re near retirement age? You should acknowledge the age difference and do your best to assure the interviewer that you have the energy and experience to do the job.

9. Questions – Either asking the wrong questions, like mentioning salary and promotions in the first interview, or not having any questions at all isn’t appropriate.

10. Interest – The last thing you should do before leaving the interview is to reiterate that you’re interested in being hired for the job. Don’t assume the recruiter knows that you want the job just because you’re there.

Do you know of other areas that should be worked on before going on an interview?