How to Impress Your Potential Employers at Job Interviews

Preparing for a job interview can be an incredibly nerve-wracking time because unemployment rates have never been higher since the Coronavirus pandemic, and therefore the job market has become ultra-competitive.

We all need to work, so there is always added pressure at an interview. It is incredibly important to be well-prepared in order to give yourself the best chance of succeeding, so here we are going to look at the best ways to impress a potential new employer at an interview.

Know the company

You have been called to an interview so you can assume that your CV has the credentials that your prospective employer is looking for, so one way to make an immediate impression is to show that you fully understand what the company does and how you will fit in and be an asset to them. This will involve researching the company and its competitors, and you should put yourself in a position whereby you can show that you are a great cultural fit. Often employers value the person and how they will fit in, over experience.

Prepare for assessments

Many interviews do not just require a face to face chat, you will also be expected to undergo various assessments to judge your aptitude, cognitive ability, and personality. Interview experts from Practice4Me advise taking preparation tests and practicing the skills which you are going to be assessed for, so it is important to research what your potential employer is looking for, and then undertake these prep tests so that you are in the best possible position when you are faced with the real thing. Showing that you have the aptitude to be well-prepared is a great way of impressing a new employer.

Focus on your strengths

When you finally sit down for a face-to-face interview it is crucial that you focus on your strengths and what you can bring to the company when you answer any questions. You do not want to come across as arrogant, but at the same time you must be confident in your ability, and the best way to do this is to highlight your strengths. Talk about your achievements and how these will stand you in good stead for your prospective new role.

Ask questions

There is nothing worse than being that person who has no questions to ask at a job interview. Your interviewers will see it as a sign of disinterest and weakness if you cannot come up with anything. Ask more about your role, the future direction of the company, the training you will receive, or how your performance will be measured. These questions all show that you want to understand more about the role and how you’ll fit in. Do not ask when you will get a pay rise, as you will most likely never hear from them again!

As we have learned, in order to impress a prospective employer it is vital that you are well prepared and know the company inside out. Make sure you have taken practice assessment tests so that you are ready for the real thing, and when asked questions focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses. Don’t forget to ask pertinent, probing questions, and hopefully, you will find you have impressed enough to be offered your dream job.