When you get a phone call or email inviting you for an interview, how do you feel? Like most people, you’ll likely experience a plethora of emotions ranging from excitement to nervousness. However, when it comes to the actual interview, there are some emotions that you should clearly display to succeed. Let’s talk about some of the key points to keep in mind for your next job interview.
In an article from Psychology Today psychology professor, Glenn Geher, offers research on the psychology of job interviews to identify the reasons people want to hire certain job candidates.
Warmth
Presenting yourself in a warm and welcoming manner makes people feel comfortable and at ease. Of course, you don’t want to come off as disingenuous and say things that you don’t mean. Geher writes, “But if you’ve got a splash of warmth in your character, I’d say to amplify it during the interview.”
You want the interviewer to like you, and picture you in the position which you are applying for. Therefore, be sure to smile, use positive body language and make eye contact. It is important that you feel a positive connection to the person interviewing you, as you want to ensure that you will be happy working with the business or organization, and you should trust your instincts regarding the work environment.
Conscientiousness
We agree that this plays a key role in the success of your job interview. Being prepared is vital. Geher states in his article, “people who are conscientious nail down the details, beat deadlines, and get the job done. While there are various ways to demonstrate conscientiousness in your interview, it’s the prep work that really can display this trait.” Therefore, you want to ensure that you have spent time researching the business or organization, considered potential questions that may be asked, and have brought any necessary examples of your work (if applicable) to the interview.
It is also important to be considerate of the time of the interviewers. Map out your route to the location of the interview, consider parking, and if using public transportation, you might want to give yourself extra time in the case of delays or traffic. It is much better to arrive early so that you have time to decompress before the interview. Showing up early, or on time, also displays that you respect the process and makes a positive first impression.
Be specific
Just as a generic resume doesn’t lead to success, generic answers during an interview aren’t what the hiring managers are looking for. As part of your preparation for the interview, you should think about specific examples and supporting evidence that showcase your demonstrated abilities. Clearly showcase what you have achieved in previous roles that can be beneficial to the role you are applying for.
Regarding being too generic, Geher writes “I am not a fan of generic answers to questions. As I see it, the more specific the content of a response is, the better… You need to set your answers and yourself apart. And, for my money, the best way to do this is to give vivid specific examples from your experiences.” In some cases, you may feel like you are saying too much, or providing too much detail. However, we would argue that being clear and detailed shows that you are confident, capable, and an ideal candidate for the role.
We understand that job interviews can be a roller coaster of emotions, but with adequate preparation you arm yourself with tools that lead to success. If you have questions or would like to speak to our team about an upcoming job interview, give us a call.