Especially in today’s tough economic environment, finding an edge over your rivals in the super-competitive job market is perhaps more important than ever.
The small details can make the difference between a job offer and continuing the search for work. It is often said that first impressions count, but how true is this?
1. Look and Dress the Part
Well, one survey revealed that 65% of bosses said that clothes could prove to be the deciding factor between two equally suitable candidates. In reality, what does this mean?
Do you have to be more fashionable than your rivals? The simple answer is no, but equally you can’t wear whatever you want to a job interview. Simply look your smartest and most professional.
It is always better to be overdressed rather than under-dressed. If you think you look conservative, then you’re probably doing something right.
On the subject of appearance, it should go without saying that loud colors, crazy piercings and other outstanding distinguishing features are likely to catch the interviewer’s eye for all the wrong reasons.
You wan to be remembered for what you say in an interview, not what you looked like.
2. Show Your Confidence
Of course, first impressions go way beyond an initial visual assessment. In a survey of two thousand bosses, 67% said that the biggest non-verbal mistake in an interview was the failure to make eye contact.
This is the kind of signal that tends to project a lack of confidence or social ease, neither of which is likely to win you top marks.
Another classic indicator of a candidate’s suitability is thought to be the handshake. It is after all not only an initial physical interaction but in fact the sole physical contact that you will have with an interviewer, so get it right.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, a study at the University of Iowa showed that candidates with a ‘wimpy’ handshake were thought of as being more timid and less confident than their rivals. Make sure though that you don’t overcompensate and that your handshake doesn’t prove so firm as to be alarming for the interviewer.
3. Make Sure You’re Prepared
Then of course, there is the interview itself and while each one is quite clearly different from the next, there are some guidelines which will stand you in good stead. First and foremost, make sure you are well prepared.
Anticipate questions to the extent you can and make sure you have questions to ask ready at hand. Most tellingly, 47% of bosses when asked said that having little or no knowledge of the company was the most common mistake during an interview. Make sure to do your research on your prospective employer.
4. Check Your Credit
During the past several years, another factor has crept into the job search process. In 1998, just 25% of employers ran credit checks on job applicants.
This number had increased dramatically to 42% by 2006. Do you have access to your credit report? If not, be sure to head over to credit score providers, such as Credit Expert.
Make sure any incorrect information is addressed as soon as possible. Why the rise in employers running credit checks? Some of this can probably be put down to the general increase in background checks, with credit checks just one part of the process, but they are clearly becoming increasingly popular.
However, the good news is that most of the time credit checks are run simply to check your identifying details. Usually, they are not in place to analyze your financial situation.
The only notable exception is those who are applying to a job which requires significant financial responsibility. In these cases, a pattern of debt could be a factor in your application. Otherwise, bad credit should not hurt your job chances.
These are just a few of the truths of what’s really important on job interviews, will help make your next interview a home run!