7 Proven Interview Tips from an Industry-Leading Recruiter

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with a Human Resources Officer who has been a part of the recruiting process for everyone from summer interns, to C-Suite Executives, in firms ranging from Telecom, to a leading news network, to financial organizations. She provided invaluable insight into the hiring process and has given me permission to share this information in order to help anyone going through it for the first time.

1. Research the company and the interviewer

Preparing for the interview beforehand is the best way to ensure that you will perform well. Researching the interviewer and the company can help you understand their values, mission, and the position they are trying to fill. Demonstrating how your previous experience aligns with their goals is excellent proof that you will be able to contribute to the business. For example, if you are applying to work in a restaurant and you read online that customer service is very important to them, you can speak in the interview about how you focused on interpersonal relationships with the customers at your previous job.

Gaining insight into the company also allows you to prepare your talking points. There are countless topics that could be discussed in a job interview, but knowing which ones will be important to the interviewer will enable you to focus on the most relevant information, and communicate it in a concise and effective way.

Finally, it is a good idea to use what you learn about the company to prepare insightful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Asking the right questions can show that you are serious about the position and that you were prepared for the interview.

2. Show up early & observe the surroundings

Especially when trying to make a formal introduction, early is on-time and on-time is late. Arriving early is always preferable to arriving late and can provide you with additional opportunity. The recruiter that I spoke to said that showing up early and either waiting in your car, or walking around the neighborhood is a great way to demonstrate professionalism. Being able to add the information you gain into the conversation in a flattering way will put the interviewer in a good mood and let them think more highly of you. Examples of this could include commenting on how beautiful the neighborhood is, or how happy customers looked after they had been served.

3. First impressions are everything

Everyone knows the importance of maintaining eye contact and giving a firm handshake, but there are even smaller things that you can do to make a good impression. The recruiter I spoke with mentioned that just smiling can show your enthusiasm and improve the first face-to-face interaction that you have with an interviewer.

Building off of that, you should try to show that you are enthusiastic about the company and the position, not just about the paycheck. Recruiters want to hear that you are passionate about what you will be doing, which tells them that you will not only do a good job, but that you are more likely to stay with the company for a long time. She mentioned an old adage about three men building a cathedral. When asked what they were doing, the first man said, “I am laying bricks, and if I lay 50 more I can take my lunch break”. The second man said “I am building this wall, which will be very important for the church to have”. The third man said “I am building a place for people to worship God”. While she doesn’t expect employers to go quite that far, it is important for someone interviewing to make it clear that they are passionate about the work, not just making a living.

Finally, applicants can show devotion to an industry or position by telling the interviewer about things that they are proud of. Taking previous accomplishments (such as improving the performance of a team you were on, or receiving better customer feedback) and explaining the way that they made you feel and the impact that they have had on you demonstrates your passion much more effectively than the accomplishment itself.

4. Ambition and attitude are key

One thing that almost every employer looks for is ambition. The recruiter I spoke with said that she specifically wants to know that an individual is always looking for ways to improve themselves or learn new things. If it comes up, make sure you mention passions of yours that demonstrate this fact, such as learning a new language. This answer will be different for everyone but you should try to prepare an answer in advance so that you won’t have to waste time thinking of something on the spot.

Another characteristic that interviewers can judge early on in the process is your attitude. This particular recruiter explained that she always wants someone to be positive in an interview. Even if they had bad experiences in the past that led them to this point, such as a bad boss at a previous job, it reflects very well on them if they can turn it into a positive outcome. For example, rather than complaining about their old work environment, they should talk about how much they learned from the experience.

Finally, everyone wants to hire someone that is easy to work with. While a good attitude can help with this tremendously, an applicant should also try to be personable and friendly and should communicate very clearly.

5. Negativity is a red flag

This seems obvious but it can mean different things in different situations. My contact remembered watching someone interview for a staff management and efficiency related position. During this interview, the applicant began to ask the interviewer question after question about how the company plans to fix problems with their work pipeline. This is an example of bad insightful questions because, while they technically demonstrated knowledge of the company and their business, it put the interviewers on the defensive and made the applicant look overly critical.

This is an area where attitude can factor in again. Negativity is a red flag for any interviewer and an applicant who complains about their past employer or doesn’t show any growth from previous experiences will most likely not be getting a call back.

6. Above all, be respectful

Interviewers always engage more with candidates that are respectful and thoughtful. Showing up late will make them feel that you do not respect their time and that this trend will continue if you are hired. Showing up sick is another thing that can come off as disrespectful. The interview might be very important to you, but if you are seriously sick it is always a better idea to stay home and write the interviewer a note explaining your circumstances. This can be an inconvenience for you both but it will show them that you are a responsible individual who respects their health and safety.

7. Follow up after the interview

Just because you have left the building doesn’t mean you have done all that you can. While you’re waiting to hear back, you should send the interviewer an email or a handwritten note within a day or two of the interview to thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in the company. This can show them that you really care about the position and make it easier for them to reach out once they have made a decision.

Conclusion

Job interviews can definitely be stressful — especially for those who haven’t interviewed before. It’s best to be prepared before you walk into the interview so that you know what to say and how to act. Work hard, be yourself, and follow the steps above to nail your interview!

We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

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