7 ways to make yourself stand out as a candidate
Recruiters interview a lot of candidates. It can be tricky to make yourself stand out from all the rest but we have put together some advice that will help you in making yourself a more interesting and unforgettable candidate.
Do your research
There is almost nothing that impresses a recruiter more on interview than you really knowing their company. You need to understand their purpose and objectives. You need to know who their target market is and about the company history and where it is headed in the future. It is the number one piece of advice we give to candidates going into interview. We can help you here, coaching you through obtaining a better understanding of the company and the role itself.
Tailor your CV to the role
Not only does tailoring your CV make it clear to the employer that you are clearly interested in the role but it also helps showcase your skills and experience in the way that is most relevant and will help you land an interview. You don’t want to make a recruiter dig to find the skills and experience they are looking for, hand it to them on a silver platter but by emphasizing it using your CV. Look at the job description and use examples of how you excel at specific skills they are looking for.
Tell them how you would do the job
Depending on the format of an interview you may have the opportunity to really emphasise what you would do for the company given the opportunity. Present to them verbally or even through a document what you would hope to achieve in this position in the first 30/60/90 days, highlighting the value you add and how. You want to be ambitious but realistic. Taking that kind of initiative will impress and interviewer and will definitely make you stand out.
Ask bold questions
An interview is a 2 way street. It is not just you selling yourself to the employer. This is an opportunity for you to find out more about the company and your role and whether it is a place you want to work. Employers want someone who knows what they want and isn’t just looking for any job they can get. Ask questions about the training you’ll receive, what the environment is like and even the experience of the interviewer in the company.
Be specific
Interviewers don’t want to hear generalised statements or answers. They respond very well to specific examples and stats about your previous jobs roles and what you have helped previous companies achieved. Lots of interviews now are competency based which gives you the perfect opportunity to showcase this information. Take your time to compose a thoughtful answer as opposed to a generic one the interviewer has heard 100 times before.
Body Language
It may seem obvious but it is something that employers pick up on interviews. You want to convey positive body language; sitting up straight and maintaining good eye contact is essential. A good trick is to mirror the way in which your interviewer is sitting and interacting with you. Nodding to show you are listening and smiling can go a long way in giving a good impression as well as the use of hand gestures to help convey a point. And of course, as is tradition; a good firm handshake.
Show your interest
If you are interested in the role, it goes a long way to make this clear to the interviewer. You can prepare a document to leave with the interviewer at the end which outlines and reiterates why you are a good fit for the role and why you want this job. Not only will taking this initiative impress the interviewer but it provides a physical reminder of you post-interview.
Good Luck!