So you’ve finally reached that long-awaited moment when you’ve been called to attend an interview for the job of your dreams. You’ve gone past the CV submission stage with flying colors, so your confidence is probably flying through the roof right now. Nevertheless, what many candidates fail to realize is that the job interview is probably the most critical point in a recruiting process.
Based on the way you perform, this stage can make or break any chances you might have in the future with that particular company, so a thorough preparation is probably the best thing you can do after you’ve received the invitation to participate in an interview.
Aside from the body language and the dress code, the most important thing you should prepare and research before the big day is what you’re going to say. While every job interview has its own specifications, according to the position you’re applying for, there are certain characteristics that each hiring manager is looking for in a candidate. Since you will only have around 15-20 minutes to create a long-lasting impression on your recruiter, the words and phrases that you use will be absolutely crucial to you getting a favorable decision. With that being said, let’s quickly run through six of the best things that hiring managers love to hear during an interview:
1. I Am Trustworthy
This is probably the most important characteristic HR managers look for when hiring a new employee. They want to know that they are reliable and if they can be trusted. This trust translates in the employee treating all of his/her tasks with maximum professionalism and in the amount of time that they usually spend with a company. If you are the type of person who quits on a job after three months, you will probably not be considered trustworthy.
2. I Am Loyal
Companies need to have the certainty that they’ve attracted loyal people in their organization. This is just as true as with any other relationship. When a company enters a professional partnership with an employee, they want to know that that particular person will not disclose any confidential information about their job and that they will not betray them for the competition. Describing yourself as being loyal will not be enough, though. Your loyalty will be put to the test through all kinds of questions regarding your former workplaces and the relationships you had with your supervisors and colleagues.
One of the main questions you will be asked will be “Why did you leave your previous job?” A less-inspired response to this question will be to talk negatively about the environment in that place, the less-than-desirable tasks you were performing, and the unfavorable attitudes of everyone around you. In the eyes of a recruiter, this will be interpreted as disloyalty and it will also lead to you being branded as unprofessional and generally unwilling to adapt to new working environments.
3. I Could Be a Valuable Addition to Your Company
One of the basic questions you will most definitely be asked during the interview is “Why do you think you could be a good fit for our company?” Your answer to this question should definitely include the phrase “I believe I could be a valuable addition to your company because…” and this should continue with a short description of your essential values, skills, traits, and professional experience – all of which will be instrumental to you being successful in your desired position. This will help increase your chances of a favorable salary negotiation, because ultimately, the way you manage to sell yourself will determine whatever success you have in your professional life.
4. I Am a Fast Learner
Even though your area of expertise will probably stay the same throughout your professional career, keep in mind that every company is different and, consequently, every job has its own specificities. When stepping into a new job, there will most definitely be a learning stage, which will require you to adapt to a whole new organizational culture, a whole new way of doing things, and perhaps even a new set of tools that you will be using in your day-to-day activity. Unless you can prove that you have mastered the ability to learn, then your chances of getting the job will surely diminish.
5. I Am Result-Oriented
This is by far one of recruiters’ favorite phrases, as it helps them distinguish between candidates that only show potential and candidates that have actually succeeded at something in their career. It’s advisable to include this line sometime in the interview, and then follow it with clear examples of the results you have achieved in your former positions. Nevertheless, you should steer clear of the “perfectionist” approach to pitching yourself, as most hiring managers have probably heard this characterization a thousand times during their interviews and, slowly but surely, it’s starting to lose credibility.
6. I Am Eager to Get Started
Last but not least, you should definitely make it known that you are excited about the opportunity and that you are eager to get started as soon as possible. This shows that you are enthusiastic about the company and, psychologically, it will also help you establish a connection with the recruiter, because if they’re working there, they’re probably just as passionate about the job as you are about getting started.
