3 Proven Ways to Impress Your Interview Panel and Stand Out
#1. Show a glimpse of the future
Job interviews are marketing in disguise.
You need to sell yourself to impress the panel.
I have been at job interviews as a candidate and panel member.
While most candidates struggle to impress the panel, some candidates do well.
Here are some of the qualities of top candidates and why they impress the panel.
1. Show Glimpse of The Future
It's one thing to interview well, and it's another to show the panel a glimpse of the benefit of having you on their team.
I was once on a panel and had this remarkable candidate who made us feel they were already part of the team.
They answered the questions concisely and provided relatable, highly relevant examples for the role.
After the interview, we couldn't wait to have them onboard.
When you answer questions this way and provide highly relevant and engaging examples, the panel will begin to imagine you are already part of the team.
They see your responses as familiar and are more confident you will hit the ground running on your own when you eventually join the team.
When interviewing, remember to answer questions concisely.
Also, ensure your examples are highly relevant to the role (this is important).
2. Tell Stories of Remarkable Results
Stories sell, facts sell
Results drive everything.
What makes you stand out and be truly remarkable is the results and problems you have solved.
Not mentioning good results from your experience might mean you won't get the job.
But how do you showcase results?
Simple. By telling interesting and engaging stories.
Stories are everything, especially in job interviews.
You have heard this before: "Stories sell, facts sell".
Stories help the human mind connect with the storyteller and help them visualise the scene, just like movies.
One way to do that effortlessly is using the STAR technique—a short acronym for Situation, Task, Action and Results.
Remember, it needs to end with the results. That's really where the climax ends.
3. Be Genuinely Interested In The Role
You need to show interest in the role during your interview.
You are not getting that job if the panel thinks you are not genuinely interested in the role.
I have encountered candidates in interviews whose body language shows they do not want the job.
They looked unprepared and barely gave helpful responses to questions.
They liked drive and energy. It felt like we were forcing the job on them.
Don't go to the interview unprepared.
The best you can do for yourself is to put in some time and effort to:
Practice important questions.
Answer questions with genuine interest and zeal.
Be prepared to ask some questions at the end of the interview to show interest in the role.
Closing Thoughts
You will most likely attend interviews for jobs.
Ensure you show genuine interest in this role, speak about past results and achievements, and give the panel a glimpse of the future to make you stand out.
That's how you get the job done.
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Banji Alo
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And don’t talk negatively about ANYONE. I made that mistake once and lost the opportunity. I still regret it. Interviewers are often ‘fishing’ to see how you respond.