As reported by 153 companies surveyed by Frank S. Endicott, Director of Placement, Northwestern University (USA), 100 Human Resource Directors and Managers were surveyed and came up with the following most important points:

 

1.

Interviewers attach great importance to good grooming and appropriate dress: No matter how qualified you are, you may be doing yourself a great disservice if you do not pay adequate attention to your personal appearance or if your clothes fail to show a businesslike demeanor. First impressions are important.

 

2.

Interviewers like candidates who are enthusiastic and responsible: Let them know you are genuinely interested in the job. If you are non-attentive, withdrawn or passive during the interview, the assumption can easily be made that your ‘on-the-job’ performance will reflect the same negative qualities.

 

3.

Ask questions about the job: If you do not show your serious interest in the duties and

responsibilities of the position, the interviewer will probably stop thinking of you as a

serious candidate. It is important you thoroughly prepare for each interview and ask

specific questions.

 

4.

Do not ask direct questions about salary or fringe benefits: If you do, you’ll give the appearance of being more interested in what the company can do for you than in providing good reasons for hiring you in the first place. Reserve talk about $s until the second interview or if the employer initiates talk in this area in the initial interview.

 

5.

Do not be desperate: Even if you need the job desperately, don’t convey it. According to this survey, candidates who call attention to their dire straits are less likely to be hired. A sound hiring decision should be based on ability, experience and attitude.

 

6.

Do not exaggerate your skills or accomplishments: Stretching the truth is usually detectable and deals a severe blow to your chances of employment.

 

7.

Watch your body language: Interviewers are more favourably impressed by candidates who look them in the eye, but do not stare them down. The usual perception is that people who avoid eye contact either have something to hide or lack conviction and self-confidence. Also, remember to stand, walk and sit tall – height projects confidence. Read my previous blog on ‘Job Interview Techniques – The power of non verbal communication’ which outlines how important and how much more important it is over verbal communication.

 

8.

Do your homework on the company prior to the interview: You cannot be too convincing when claiming you really want to work for a particular company when it is obvious you do not know the first thing about them. Do your research, check out the company’s website and other available resources.

 

9.

Overconfident or self-assured candidates are much more likely to favourably impress interviewers than those who act shy: However, there is a vast difference between being self-assured and coming across as arrogant, boastful or smug.

Finally and importantly, employers say personal qualities and a good attitude towards work are often as important or more important than experience and education factors, providing that the applicant meets the minimum requirements and standards for the position.

It’s all about marketing you!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone