How to Stand Out on Job Interviews

Editorial Team

How to Stand Out on Job Interviews

Success isn’t measured by how much money you make or how great of a job you get. It’s measured by the impression you make on other people.

There’s no bigger secret to acing a job interview than learning how to make a great impression.

But not all job interviews were created equal. There are certain things you can do to up your overall performance, clean up your image, and make yourself attractive to a wide variety of employers.

But a big part of a job interview comes down to knowing who is hiring you, what they’re looking for, and being able to sell yourself as the perfect candidate.

From clearing a comprehensive background check to conducting your own market research, we’ve rounded up 2021’s best tips for standing out in a job interview.

Become a Personal Expert on the Company

This is the most essential component of every successful job interview performance. Recruiters and hiring managers will know within minutes whether you’re actually interested in their job or are just looking for a job.

If you don’t take them seriously, why should they extend that courtesy to you?

Do research on the company. Become conversant on its history, learn things like whether it’s private or publicly traded, and be able to speak to the company’s mission statement. What about you embodies the values laid out in that mission statement?

Get In Touch With Your Personal Brand

Many things go into a personal brand: how you’re groomed, how you dress, how you carry yourself, what kind of worker you are, and most importantly, how you treat other people.

There’s no one personality type that recruiters are looking for. You can be outgoing, shy, ambitious, or steadfast in your work. What really matters is that you know who you are, and you’re comfortable in your own skin.

No one likes to work with an insecure braggart or competitive game player. These traits are examples of people who are uncomfortable with themselves. Rise above by focusing on kindness and humility.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers

It’s not enough to sit back and let the interview happen to you. Candidates who don’t show go-getter capabilities will likely be left on the “maybe” list.

One sure-fire way to communicate an ambitious spirit without coming across as too overbearing is to pepper a decent amount of questions back to your interviewers during the process. Someone who asks questions about pay, responsibilities, and company culture demonstrates themselves to be a person of standards, who holds others to the same expectations.

That kind of person will likely, reliably, turn in great work, time after time, not just because they want to hang on to the job, but because they value the quality of whatever they do.

Know and Be Able to Own Your Background

Were you ever charged with a DUI? Failed a drug or alcohol screening? Let go from a job under less than savory circumstances? It’s okay.

There are laws in place to protect employees from discrimination on the basis of certain factors that would show up in a background check.

What matters more than having a squeaky clean background, which we just can’t all have, is to not surprise your interviewers, but present the information to them ahead of time.

You’ll come across as confident, mature, and honest.

Courtesy Tips

Last, some parting courtesy tips that should be employed in every interview setting, no matter how large or small the role.

  • Be at least ten minutes early.
  • Send thank-you notes the next day.
  • Follow up, but not too soon. A week from the date of the interview should cut it.