If you are appearing for an interview and want to catch the eyes of the employer, don’t worry, we’ve got you. Even though your resume incredibly showcases your skills and qualifications needed for the job, there’s still a little extra work you must put in to present yourself as the best candidate for the position. The first work is to learn about how to stand out in an interview that helps to implement your personality.
Interviews are not easy and may confuse an individual regarding what to do to increase your chances of getting selected in the sea of competition, which may lead to other complications like interview anxiety.
However, there are a few basic things you need to take care of to set yourself apart from others and land your dream job. And in this article, we are going to discuss the same.
Keep reading to find out how to stand out in an interview and increase your chances of receiving an offer.
Research Thoroughly About The Company
Visit the company’s website and read the ‘about us’ page. It will give you a general understanding of what the company is about and where they are coming from. Look at what services or products they offer? What is their main motive or mission statement?
If the company has a social media presence, peek into it. It will give you a good idea about the company’s work culture and how they engage with their employees. It will help you understand what type of employees they are looking for and how you can present yourself as a perfect fit for the position.
You can also prepare some questions while researching and ask them during the interview. It will show your preparedness and make you stand out in the eyes of the interviewer.
Furthermore, learn about who will interview you. Generally, the interviewer’s name is provided in the email, but if not, you can take the initiative and ask who will be interviewing you. Study who they are and what role they play in the company. It will allow you to make the conversation with the interviewer more meaningful and interactive.
Wear a Nice Outfit
If you appear in sharp and clean attire, the employer will definitely notice a qualitative difference in you.
No need to opt for anything flashy or expensive, but a decent outfit that makes you look professional and the type of employee that the company is seeking. If the employer asks you to follow a dress code, wear that.
Otherwise, you can wear an outfit that is comfortable and also fits for the interview. You can go through the job description and learn about the role to find out if it requires a formal dress or a casual type of professional outfit.
If you feel confused, simply go for a professional suit. You can also wear a tie, but make sure it matches your overall outfit.
Tip – Do not overdress. It won’t help but may turn off the employer for your insincerity
Analyze The Job Description
Job description will play a key role to help you prepare for the interview.
Read the job description thoroughly and note down all the important points. Analyze what problems the company is facing and illustrate how you can solve them.
It will give you an edge in an interview, for example, if the employer asks you any related question, you can articulate your answers in a much better way to converse how you can help the company with your skills.
Be On Time
Being on time shows how serious you are about the job role and also makes the employer feel your professionalism and punctuality. That’s why you should plan in advance how you will reach the interview venue and which route you will take.
Make sure not to arrive too early. It may leave a vague impression on the employer, leaving them wondering why you’re in so much rush.
If possible, try to arrive 15 minutes early for the interview. It will give you some spare time to take deep breaths and calm yourself before the interview. If you are low on confidence, you can also use affirmations to cheer yourself up before entering the interview room.
Showcase Previous Examples Of Your Work
When the interviewer asks about your work history or overall skill set, you can provide them with your best previous project that you worked on.
Do you know how to stand out in an interview? Don’t just hand over the samples to the interviewer. Explain a little bit about them. For instance, how did you handle the difficulties? And what kind of results did you achieve?
It will increase your credibility in front of the employer as they can clearly see what you’re capable of and how you can help their company.
Make The Interview Interactive
How to stand out in an interview? Involve yourself in it, and don’t let it take the face of interrogation.
Many people believe you shouldn’t ask questions during an interview, but that’s not true. If you have done good research about the company, it is pretty obvious that questions will pop up in your mind. Do not hold back. If the interviewer talks about something which concerns you, get clarity on it.
It will make the interview more interactive, and your curiosity will showcase your interest in the position. By doing this, you may also feel confident during the interview.
When the employer asks you at the end, “Do you have any questions?” Don’t just say, “No, I am fine.” like most people. If you want to stand out, throw out some questions to show your interest in the company. Here are some questions that you can ask at the end of the interview:
- How will you describe this company’s culture?
- What does a regular day look like in the organization performing this role?
- When will the hiring decision be made?
Take Care Of Your Body Language
According to the research, a person receives 55% of cues in a conversation from body language. Therefore, you can’t ignore this factor to stand out in your next interview.
That doesn’t mean you have to be overly conscious of your body language. Following some basic rules is enough.
Here are a few basic body language tips that you should follow during an interview:
- Carry a warm smile on your face, but do not overdo it.
- Sit in a good posture and lean forward a little bit. It shows that you are engaged in the conversation and paying attention to what the employer is saying.
- Maintain proper eye contact. Frequent eye contact between conversations is enough to build a connection and show respect to your significant other.
Do Not Forget To Bring a Notepad With Yourself
Using a notepad in an interview might sound absurd to many, but it is one of the best ways to set yourself apart from other participants.
A notepad and pen allows you to jot down any important details the employer tells you about the job and company. It will make you look professional and also shows you are fully engaged in the conversation.
Remember that you shouldn’t be writing long notes, as it can create a disturbance in the conversation.
Tip – It’s good if you take the interviewer’s permission before you begin to write down your notes.
Be Authentic
In the guide of how to stand out in an interview, we have come to our next stop. Many candidates try very hard to impress or please the interviewer in the hope of getting selected. Yes, trying to impress the interviewer is essential, but overdoing it may backfire. Because it makes you lose your authenticity and displays you as a needy candidate, a huge turn-off.
Instead, be yourself, and showcase your authentic personality. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to lose your professionalism. Blend it with who you are in your essence.
For example, showcase your sense of humor if an opportunity arises or have a laugh when the interviewer throws a funny line. Avoid any personal, witty, or edgy jokes, as they may create hurdles for you.
Show Your Enthusiasm
Conveying your points with a straight face is never attractive.
When you are being interviewed, show them you are excited to work with them. Answer their questions with enthusiasm, listen actively, ask questions, and ultimately display the intrinsic drive you have for the job role.
Tip – Keep your enthusiasm in control. Being too enthusiastic may portray you as an unprofessional individual.
End With The Gratitude
Ending your interview with a good note is vital. It not only separates you from other candidates but also increases the chances of receiving the offer letter from the company.
In your ending statement, you can include things like your gratitude and interest in the position or ask for any feedback.
Here’s one of the examples of ending statements that you can use at the end of the interview:
“Thank you for taking some time out to meet me today. I am grateful for all the knowledge you shared with me, and more importantly, I really loved learning about the company’s plans and how I can contribute to them. I would love to entertain this opportunity to prove my capabilities and help the company grow.”
What Should You Avoid During An Interview?
Apart from knowing ‘how to stand out in an interview?’, you should also consider what mistakes to avoid in an interview. Here are a few things that you must avoid to increase the probability of getting selected.
Jumping To The Money Part Very Soon
Bringing the money into the conversation early can be an immediate turn-off for the interviewer. Because it shows that you have little interest in the job role but more in the paycheck.
We understand that it is an important factor, but put it off for later and focus on learning about the company and how you can help them.
Giving Long Answers
Sometimes your long answers may become a distraction in the interview.If you find that the interviewer has to cut you in between, then you are probably adding unnecessary things to your answers.
Hence, try to articulate your sentences in the most concise way possible to give effective answers.
Criticizing Your Last Company
Criticizing your recent employer or the company is never going to help.
Doesn’t matter how sensible your complaints are; avoid bragging about them in the interview. Doing this will portray you as a negative person and decrease your chances of getting selected. Your employer may also assume that you will talk badly about them in the future.
Leaving Your Phone On
Your phone doesn’t have any significance once you are seated for the interview with the employer. Turning it off is the best option as it will not create any distractions during the interview.
Many people prefer keeping their phone on silent or in vibration mode. But, it can still pop up as a distraction because it’s not hard to hear those buzz sounds coming from your phone.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that interviews can be daunting, but with the right techniques, you can surely ace them. Just know that the employer is looking for the right candidate for the job role and wants you to be selected.
Calm down your interview nerves and enter the room with confidence. Follow the tips we provided in the article to stand out and increase the likelihood of getting selected.
So, that was all about ‘how to stand out in an interview?’. We hope that this article helped you in some way.
