How To Make The Right Impression In An Interview

To successfully crack an interview, it's pivotal to end the meeting leaving the recruiting manager confident in your qualifications, skills, and knowledge. Knowing how to efficiently and adequately close an interview will help you impress the hiring manager. In this article, you will get an insight on how to approach an interview and increase your hiring chances properly.

Unfortunately, people tend to break under pressure at this point in the interview. It's almost as if they can smell freedom and are racing to the finish line. This frequently results in a messy exhibition of thankful thoughts that is neither exciting nor remarkable. As I previously stated, you are not yet out of the woods. There's still time to make an impression!

1. Ask questions to the interviewer - When the recruiter asks if you have any queries or questions, that's the signal that the interview will close. To have a lasting impact and stand out of the crowd, it's advisable to prepare a list of questions before the interview to ask the hiring manager about the job role and the company at the closing time. There is a high chance of the interviewer answering some of your queries during the interview itself. So, prepare an extensive list of questions to have something to ask at the end of the interview. Also, try to ask questions based on the conversation during the interview to show your attentiveness, interest in the job position and company, and research to the recruiter.

2. Validate your concerns - Before the interview ends, ensure the recruiter doesn't have any additional concerns or questions left unanswered about your qualifications or other essential information related to the job role. The best way to address this is to directly ask them if they have any questions about your candidature. For instance, the best way to put this is by asking, "Based on my experience, qualifications, and skills, how appropriately do I fit the job role?." Asking the hiring manager how they feel about your candidature for the positions helps you remove any miscommunication and address their concerns about your qualifications. It is advisable to address the recruiter's concerns during the interview rather than finishing the interview with uncertainty and unanswered concerns.

3. Acknowledge your strengths often - After addressing the recruiter's concerns about your qualifications fitting the role, try to bring his focus and attention to your strengths that suit the job profile. Remind him by stating your unique skills and capabilities that make you the best candidate for the company. Follow this by stating your knowledge, experience, and other factors that will support these points. Make sure to tell him how your strengths and skills will help you rise and overcome any situation. Ensure you first address all their concerns and then remind them of your strengths and not overshadow or avoid their queries regarding your candidature.

4. Show your interest in the position - Next, show the hiring manager your genuine interest and passion for the job and work in their company. Through an interview, the ulterior motive of a recruiter is to ensure that you fit the job role and the position also fits you. You can validate this by stating all the reasons that make you excited about the particular profile and the company. While noting the reasons, don't forget to mention why you fit the role and the company's culture. Apart from that, also say how your interest has increased during the interview. Doing this will make the recruiter know your eagerness to be a part of the company and affirm their thought that you are the right fit.

5. Ask about the further procedures - Make sure at the end of the interview you know what the next steps are. Asking the employer about the next steps will help you get clarity if they interview other candidates and hear from them if they choose you for the role. It will also help you prepare for the further rounds of screening if any. If you are passionate about the position and sure about being a part of the company, then saying something like "I am looking forward to working and hope you will proceed with an offer during the next steps of the interviewing process. When can I hear from you next?". This won't make you look desperate or overconfident. Instead, this step will help you show your passion for the job position and interest in getting started as soon as possible to the hiring manager.

6. Provide other relevant information - Before the interview ends, ensure the hiring manager provides additional information that will help close the deal and smoothen up their decision-making process. Additional relevant information can include a copy of your portfolio, a list of positive references, or a copy of your professional or educational certifications.

End the meeting on a polite note- Always ensure to end the interview courteously and professionally. Ensure to thank the recruiter for their time and patience, and also don't forget to ask for their contact information like their email address or business card. Asking for this will ensure you can successfully follow up with them after the interview.

7. End the meeting on a polite note - Always ensure to end the interview courteously and professionally. Ensure to thank the recruiter for their time and patience, and also don't forget to ask for their contact information like their email address or business card. Asking for this will ensure you can successfully follow up with them after the interview.

8. Send a follow-up email - After the interview, don't forget to send a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for their time and patience once more. In the follow-up email, you can also attach and send any additional information or documents requested by them during the interview. Sending a follow-up email right after the interview launches a positive impact on the recruiter. Moreover, if you fail to hear from the interviewer, send another follow-up email after some days requesting a status update about your candidature and stating how you are looking forward to hearing from them.

9. Inquire about the position's short-term objectives - Here's a recommendation for the end of the interview that can make a big difference: Ask a pointed question regarding the position's short-term goals. This question demonstrates that you want to "strike the ground running" if you are hired. It also shows the recruiting manager that you are interested in making a difference in the position rather than simply filling a billable slot. "What are some of the position's short-term objectives?" Alternatively, "What are the objectives for this post in the next 120 days?" This simple question often yields a lot of helpful information.

10. Find out about on-the-job training options - Expressing an interest in expanding your talents beyond your job obligations shows the hiring manager that you're serious, motivated, and eager to increase your worth. To improve your abilities, inquire about attending conferences, in-house training seminars, or even web-based workshops (i.e., Skillport, Lynda, etc.). Even if there aren't many openings, simply inquiring about them may impress the hiring manager.

11. Address any shortcomings or blunders from the interview - You might have stuttered over an answer, or something didn't come over the way you expected during the interview. While it's sometimes best to just let things go, clarifying a mistake earlier in the discussion before leaving can be beneficial. "I know I messed up on one of my answers earlier in the interview, but I wanted to add that one of my strongest skills is finding answers to questions I don't know," for example. To do so, I use Google, forums, and other similar resources."

Write a thank-you note to the person who interviewed you (make it hand-written for extra points). Sending a thank you note to the hiring manager is one of the simplest things to do after an interview. An email will suffice, but a typed letter is preferable. Knowing how to close an interview the right way will help you show your interest in the job role, assess how you did during the interview, and invite further contact from the hiring manager.

All this will help you push your candidature, have a positive impact and also land the job. Additionally, don't forget to use Cliphire's short video feature to send a follow up with your email.