As an experienced interviewer, when I’m interviewing for a specific position, seeing resumes that look similar in terms of the level and type of experience is quite common – particularly for candidates seeking their first full-time position after an undergraduate or graduate degree. These candidates have resumes that meet the screening requirements for an initial interview. Beyond meeting the academic requirements for the position, they have summer jobs, internships, and often some volunteer work and involvement in extracurricular clubs.
So how does an experienced interviewer identify the right candidate when they all look great on paper? It all comes down to how well that candidate communicates their value during the interview.
Interviewers are looking for someone they feel will be able to handle the job and flourish within the organization. This means that, in addition to assessing competency, they are evaluating multiple factors. These might include how a candidate will fit with the team, how they will handle new experiences, and how resilient they are. Hiring Managers want to minimize the risk that a new hire can’t contribute, doesn’t mesh with the team, and fails quickly – resulting in the need to restart the recruiting process.
As an interview coach who helps newly minted graduates to distinguish themselves, my experience is that the candidates who receive the most favorable responses can effectively communicate aspects of their experience that show how well they will do in the job. When answering questions and engaging in the discussion they establish a narrative that helps the interviewer learn more about them as individuals. They can highlight how they will fit and contribute within the organization.
I admit that there are many intangibles, but here are some quick tips that will help:
- Monitor your energy level. Don’t try to be too cool to get excited about aspects of the organization and the role that energize you. On the other hand, there’s no need to bounce off the walls.
- When responding to questions, think about what the interviewer is trying to accomplish and ensure that the appropriate facts are highlighted in your response. Give concrete examples as much as possible. Ideally, these examples may come from work experience, but it is perfectly acceptable to talk about other organizations or groups that you’re involved in and how you handle a particular situation that is relevant. Even if you don’t have a real example, you can talk about how you would handle a situation and why.
- Project confidence. Job interviews can be unnerving, but one way to ensure that you have confidence is to prepare in advance. Learn as much as you can about the company and the role within the company and be prepared to answer the question why would you want to work here?
It’s easy to get discouraged when you can look at a classmate’s résumé, and it looks just like yours. But we all have our unique personalities, strengths, and life experiences. As a candidate, your job is to bring your uniqueness to that interview and show how you will be able to help that organization accomplish its objectives.
If you want to learn more about interviewing check out our blog at https://www.commandtheinterview.com/blog/. If you know someone who needs help with this type of situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Command the Interview. Our expertise is in helping candidates prepare to do well in interviews. We also design programs and offer consulting to organizations seeking support in recruiting candidates from a mix of backgrounds and industries. Reach out to us for a complimentary consultation at Kerrie@commandtheinterview.com.