In today’s competitive world, getting a job, especially your dream job, is no easy task. Making sure that you are perfect for a position is not enough. You have to prove it to the recruiters. Here comes the question of how to impress the recruiter. Often it happens that people who are completely eligible for a job don’t end up getting hired. The reason is that they could not convince the recruiters that they are the best suited for the position the recruiters are offering. This dilemma is nothing new, and many have asked this question by now.
Jaro Education understands that many applicants and job seekers wonder how to impress HR in interviews. Hence, in this blog post, we developed a comprehensive guide to impress the next recruiter.
Prepare yourself
An interview is not just about the minutes you spend with the interviewer. You need to prepare in advance if you want to impress a recruiter. If it’s a face-to-face interview, your attire should be professional. You should be well-dressed and well-groomed. A casual attitude here can make you look like you are not serious about the interview or the job.
Make sure your resume is recently updated and includes all the necessary details, including your school background, employment history, abilities, and any significant accomplishments as well as your contact information. Keep it brief and avoid any grammatical errors. It is always advisable to carry a copy of your resume even if you have sent over one before to the recruiter.
Do your research
Before you appear for the interview, do basic research about the company and the position they are hiring for. You must ensure that you possess the educational qualification and work experience the recruiter asks for. Also, make sure to enquire about the salary range beforehand and appear for the interview only if you are comfortable with it. You do not want to ask about what qualifications they want or what salary they are offering during the first interview. That might reflect a lack of knowledge about the position you are applying for.
Make a strong first impression
Enter with a smiling face. Offer a firm handshake if the distance between you and the interviewer allows it. Say proper greetings be it good morning, good afternoon or good evening.
If the interviewer asks ‘How are you?’ or ‘How are you doing?’, you should confidently answer ‘I am doing great’. This answer should be followed by a ‘Thank You’ and ‘Hope you are doing well’. A strong first impression goes a long way in leaving a great impression of your overall personality.
Practice your introduction
The very first question a recruiter generally asks is to tell them about yourself. Do not treat it like an out-of-the-blue question, or don’t fumble. You do not need to give them your complete life story or a recitation of your resume. A brief introduction showcasing your skills, experiences, education and attitude towards work will suffice.
There is no need to mention your name again in the introduction if the interviewer has already addressed you with your name. Start with your latest work experience in reverse chronological order. Then mention your educational background, professional skills, and attitude towards work and life. The best way to handle this is to think and practice your introduction beforehand.
Exhibit professionalism and confidence
You want the recruiter to take you seriously. You have to show your willingness to get hired for the job. Whatever question is being asked, answer factually and politely. Do not maintain a casual tone, but at the same time, try not to sound too serious and robotic. Speak with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
Suppose you are going through the Jaro Education recruitment process, and we ask you why we should hire you. Do not give general answers like you are hard-working or passionate. Instead, give us facts and examples to support your statements.
Ask questions
It is okay to ask questions, not the ones we discussed in the previous section but questions that make you genuinely curious. You can ask about the work environment, the company policy and company goals. You can also ask about the learning opportunities or training you may receive during your employment.
Avoid needless criticism
It is truly important to show restraint when talking about or criticising certain things. Imagine being asked why you left your former business during a job interview. It is better to avoid giving negative remarks. Instead, you can talk about new opportunities and how you want to develop your career.
Send a follow-up mail
This is where many fail to connect to the recruiter after the interview. A recruiter can talk to multiple applicants in a single day. If you send a follow-up mail about the interview, thanking the recruiter for giving you the time, it will help you become a little more relevant in front of the recruiter.
We hope that the above-mentioned points will help enhance your communication skills so you to ace your next interview. Stick to the basics, i.e. be your natural self, be thorough with your research, practice the basic answers, dress up well and be confident.