It’s time for the final issue of Heather’s Hiring Tips! Over the past month we have explored the hiring process from an employer’s point of view and learned what it’s like to recruit, interview, and hire remote employees. This week, our Talent Acquisition Specialist, Heather, will share some tips on how to impress hiring managers through your application and interviews.
How to Prepare for the Interview
One of the keys to success is having sufficient knowledge of the company you are applying for. I would recommend researching both the organization and the position. This way you can find not only what is required of you, but also what the organization stands for: its values, goals, and the position’s objectives as they relate to the bigger picture. This knowledge will also help you to personalize the job: you’ll be able to see how you could contribute to the company goals, and how the experience with the company could contribute to yours.
I find that one of the biggest mistakes the candidates make is trying too hard to fit into the job description. The truth is, it is not appealing. It gives an impression that they desperately want the job, and it doesn’t communicate anything about their personality and goals, or what they would find enjoyable in their career. Successful candidates are usually the ones that can bridge a connection between their aspirations in life and the position that they are applying to, while being able to point out how their personality and skillset would aid to the company’s vision and mission.
What to Do When You Don’t Think You Have All the Necessary Skills
The best advice I can give is look through the job description carefully: look at the company, at the position and its goals, the daily duties that you need to perform. Then look at your qualifications and ask yourself: do you believe you have the necessary skillset? Do you see yourself working there and taking on the challenge? If the answer is yes, ask yourself how you would be able to aid to the organization, so you can highlight it in your cover letter and during the interview.
I believe that you need to evaluate your transferable skills when looking through the job description and requirements. You may not always have direct experiences that the job is asking for, but see if you have any transferable experience, and whether this experience gives you the skillset necessary to apply for the new position.
Of course, you should be able to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses. If you believe you don’t qualify for the job (for instance, you see a graphic design-heavy position, and you don’t have basic photo editing or Photoshop software knowledge), it is probably not a good idea to apply. However, if you think you have enough skills and experiences to add to the job and you are eager to learn, express your enthusiasm and desire to grow in your application and during the interview.
What to Look at in the Job Description
I think it’s always good to look at the responsibilities section. It often highlights your daily duties, as well as the main tasks that you should be able to perform during the position. I would strongly suggest looking through those tasks carefully, ensuring you can perform them, and considering whether you would be happy doing them.
At Ashton College, we focus a lot on a healthy work climate, making sure that both the team environment and the individuals are thriving and achieving their goals.
Many organizations and companies take a similar stance. During hiring, they are looking for motivated individuals who are enthusiastic about what they do, and can both give to and gain from their company. In my experience, when the individual doesn’t enjoy what he/she does daily, not only are they unhappy, but they also don’t add as much to the organization, making them a less worthy investment. When looking through the job description, make sure you are comfortable with the duties that are listed there.
What Questions to Ask During an Interview
A lot of candidates don’t take advantage of the last part of the interview, where they get to ask questions, and I think this is very unfortunate. Through the questions they can find out important things about their daily duties, the company’s work environment, management style, or anything that can tell them more about their line of work. The end of the interview is a perfect time to ask any clarification questions about job responsibilities and requirements. It could also be helpful to ask questions about the company’s vision and goals – especially if you believe your role could aid to that.
On top of that, asking questions can make the candidate stand out among others. It is an opportunity for them to showcase their interest in the job and personalize the job opportunity. Through such questions as “What do you like the most about working here”, the candidate can find out more about the work environment, as well as form a more personal connection with the interviewer.
This question is my personal favourite, because it shows that the person is really interested in learning more about the position.
How to Make a Good Impression
The first impressions about the candidates are formed based on their resume and cover letter, and hiring managers go through many application documents for the same position. Most of them are very generic, so it is always impressive to receive cover letters that communicate the candidates’ enthusiasm and personal touch. When candidates take the time to personalize their application, it really shows their enthusiasm and desire to work with the organization, making them stand out.
When it comes to the interview, successful candidates are often the ones who take their time to interview the employer while the employer is interviewing them. After all, work becomes much smoother when both parties are clear about the job expectations and are comfortable with each other.
Another important aspect is dress code: dress professionally! It is always better to ‘overdress’ in business attire than ‘underdress’: if you overdress, you still appear professional, while when you underdress, you automatically miss the mark.
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The post Hiring with Heather: Making an Impression appeared first on Ashton College.