The Spring 2011 graduating class is facing the largest hiring projections since 2007, and that’s welcome news. According to a recent survey of employers done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies report that they will hire 19 percent more new college graduates this year than they did last year. But, the competition for jobs remains stiff.
That’s why the interview is so important. It’s where you are tested to see how well you establish rapport with the interviewer and meet the needs of the employer.
When you are called for an interview, keep in mind it’s a business meeting, and your answers and your questions need to focus on one aspect — the employer’s needs.
You need to know that an employer is looking for a candidate who can be up to speed and contributing quickly, and your answers as well as your body language will give the impression you are motivated and can hit the ground running.
The way you conduct yourself during the interview is an important ingredient in developing rapport. If you appear likable and confident you can help the employer succeed, you increase your chances of receiving an offer.
How do you appear likable? Show you are interested in the employer’s needs with active listening and by bridging your experience to their needs. Many times, recent grads don’t pay enough attention to what the employer wants. Having strong interpersonal skills is important, but they need to be combined with a sincere desire to help the employer succeed.
A sense of humor is attractive and helps put people at ease, but be cautious with your humor. I never will forget a hiring manager describing how a student job-candidate showed their sense of humor by using profanity.
If you choose to swear during an interview, it speaks volumes about your decision-making abilities. The manager didn’t remember their skills, but he did remember their choice of words.
