Your resume and cover letter have done their job, and you have been invited for an interview—time to make a good impression and land that job. Good preparation makes a world of difference.
Of course, you’ve researched the company, picked your outfit, and thought about the position. But do you also think about these three things before you enter the conversation?
3 underrated job interview points
Okay, maybe they’re a no-brainer. But during the preparation, you may forget to look at yourself. Who are you, and how do you come across? You can also prepare this.
How do you come across as a person
During a job interview, you are so busy with how you come across as an employee that you forget that your personality is also important. HR managers and executives also look at who you are and whether you fit in with the team and the company’s culture.
Make no mistake: the candidates’ personality plays a more significant role in the selection process than you initially thought. So try to control your nerves and don’t forget to talk the small talk before the conversation starts. And important: be yourself.
It is not at all crazy – smart indeed – to research the person you are talking to. For example, you can find out whether you have similarities. That makes the small talk just that little easier: “I saw on LinkedIn that you did the same study/come from the same place of residence/has also worked at company X” is always a great icebreaker.
How well do you come out of your words
Of course, you know the answer to all the questions asked during a job interview. After all, you have to answer questions about yourself. But that’s also where a lot of people go wrong. Because they think they know the answers anyway, they don’t prepare well.
That’s a shame because you probably would have come out a little better if you had already thought about your answers beforehand. You often already know which questions will be asked during such a conversation. Take advantage of them and prepare them. And if you want to take it all seriously, you can also practice with your partner, a friend, or a family member.
Your body language during a job interview
Communication is much more than just the words that come out of your mouth. You should also pay attention to your body language during the conversation.
Ensure that you are not tapping with your fingers or feet, that you are not slumped, and that you are making eye contact with the person in front of you. Otherwise, you will not leave the right impression.
