Once the interview begins, immediately start by stating, “Thank you for inviting me to interview for ... [+]
You don’t have to put so much pressure on yourself when interviewing for a new job. There are only a few things that you need to say to stand out. The key is to show interest, in-depth knowledge about the company, why you are a great fit and the value you’ll bring to the organization. You’ll also need to close the deal by letting the interviewers know you’ll gladly accept the role if offered.
Here’s The Inside Scoop
Interviewers are more nervous than you are. They’re pushed by angry hiring managers to quickly hire the best candidates after an employee has resigned, so as to not overburden the remaining team. It's a lot of pressure. They'll be blamed if they hire too soon and the person turns out to be a dud.
The longer the hiring process takes, the more likely the rest of the staff will grow resentful of all the work that’s been dumped upon them without any additional compensation. If a new person isn’t onboarded, they’ll think they’ll always have to work more hours and will start updating their résumés and contacting recruiters.
While the manager would like an applicant that checks all the boxes on the job description, there is another important variable. The hiring manager really wants someone who is a highly motivated, enthusiastic and well-informed candidate.
Here’s What You Need To Say To Stand Out
“I’d Gladly Arrange My Schedule To Fit The Interview Times Best For You.”
When the internal talent acquisition recruiter contacts you to set up an interview and asks about the best days and times for a meeting, turn it around and say, “Thank you for inviting me for an interview. I’m very excited about the role!” Then, add, “I know you are very busy, so I’d gladly arrange my schedule around your availability.” This simple act sets the stage that you are polite, generous and empathetic. It makes for a great first impression.
“Thank You For Inviting Me To The Interview.”
Once the interview begins, immediately start by stating, “Thank you for inviting me to interview for the role.” Share a few salient reasons as to why you chose this job and company. Tell the interviewer that you are a fan of their products, services and mission statement. Add how your skills, background and experiences perfectly match the job description. Offer a nod to a unique accomplishment of the company that most people wouldn’t know about unless they did a lot of homework. This is a great way to impress the interviewer and burnish your brand right away.
“What Made You Choose Me?”
“What made you select my résumé and want to interview me?” is a great question to ask at the onset of the interview process. It will make the hiring manager consider all the positive reasons they selected you. By citing your skills, background and experience, the manager will talk themself into confirming that you are the right fit.
Most job applicants play hard to get. They change their personality when they interview. Instead of being their true authentic self, the person turns into a cold, clinical and corporate drone. This leaves the supervisor unsure of your intentions and unable to gauge your interest level. No one wants to engage in a lengthy interview process just to find out that 10 meetings later the person wasn’t sold on the job and accepted another offer.
“I’m Excited About The Job.”
Instead of being timid about your interests, tell the boss, “I am very excited about the role and can see myself working here.” When you let a hiring manager know that you are interested, it makes the process much easier. They intuitively know that if a person is apt to accept an offer in a tight job market, it's a much better choice than rolling the dice with a more skilled candidate who boasts about considering multiple offers.
“So, When I Start…”
Act as if you already got the job. Sprinkle words and phrases that come across as you’ve already been selected for an offer throughout the conversation. For example, say, “What will I need to do to exceed expectations in this role? Another similar query is, “When will I meet with my future co-workers?” and “So, when I start, I’ll be working with X in the Y division?”
Treat The Interview Like A Normal, Human Conversation
Through the conversation, feel free to ask questions organically. By asking questions throughout the hiring process, it will demonstrate that you are a serious candidate that is invested in the process and likely to accept an offer if presented with one. Engaging in back-and-forth questions will help avoid the dreaded “Do you have any questions for me?” question at the end of the interview.
Sum It Up And Ask For The Job Offer
At the end of the conversation, summarize why you are a good fit. The interviewer will remember the last thing you say. Give a short, tight elevator pitch that encapsulates why you are a great fit, addresses the questions, and ties up any loose ends.
It may be awkward, but ask what the next steps are, taking the approach that further interviews will take place. Specifically inquire who it will be with, approximately how many folks are involved and the length of the process. This will push the interviewer to make a decision. If they weren’t interested, now would be the time to make a comment that suggests you didn't seal the deal. If they start discussing the next steps, then you know you nailed it.
If you are feeling confident and bold, as the interview concludes, ask, “Do you feel that I meet all the qualifications and would be a good fit for the role?” If the response seems positive, take the next aggressive step by asking, “Do you think an offer will be extended to me?”
