By Kirstie McDermott
When you're looking for a new role, all your focus is on
That's a process that can take quite a while. Some
When it comes to job offers, the figures also show you'll need to apply for 21-80 jobs to get just one job offer, with 51% of job seekers receiving an offer after having three job interviews.
3 top accounting jobs to apply for right now
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So how can you help your chances when you do get that call to come to an interview for a job you really want?
Most workers will know several key things they need to do at an interview in order to make a strong impression. From researching the company so that you understand its mission, values, culture, products, and recent news, to doing a lot of prep around common questions such as "Tell me about yourself", there are other things interviewees should do as well.
These include the ability to succinctly explain the relevant skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the role; having some good questions of your own to hand, as well as showcasing professionalism in how you dress and speak.
Learn to communicate better
So far, so usual. But are these approaches just the bare minimum candidates should do in order to do well at an interview?
It turns out that yes, there is something else that you can brush up on to improve your chances. That is your non-verbal communication. This encompasses things like eye contact, body language, social distance, touch, voice, and our use of objects.
Think of someone acting nervously, for example: they are likely to bite their lips or nails, or avoid direct eye contact––and maybe they might fiddle with their clothes or hair. Consider the power of a shrug, and how no words are needed to convey that message.
Non-verbal cues are often very strong indicators of how someone is feeling, or acting.
Interviewers will also often know if a candidate is lying, by picking up on things such as excessive fidgeting, darting eyes, or using a hand to cover their mouth or eyes.
So what can you do if you'd like to improve your chances at your next interview? Firstly, identify what your problem areas are by conducting a mock interview with a colleague or peer, and recording it.
Watch back carefully and look for things like slouched posture, which can indicate a lack of interest. Do you show your feelings on your face, or do you look down a lot when you should be attempting to make eye contact?
Addressing issues
Knowing what you need to work on is crucial. Addressing things like a bored appearance, too much fidgeting or gesticulating can all work towards helping you to literally put your best face forward.
Start with a strong handshake, and then make sure you are sitting up straight. Smiling and maintaining eye contact both also give your interviewer a sense that you are engaged in the conversation, interested, and most importantly, confident in your abilities.
And when it comes to video interviews, your approach should be broadly similar. It's crucial to switch your camera on, for starters. Make sure that you're looking at the camera when you're speaking, and not at yourself on screen, as this helps create an impression of maintaining eye contact.
Make additional effort to pay attention to what the interviewer is saying, and make sure that you look engaged and interested in what is being said. You can emphasize this by smiling, and nodding to indicate you're following what's being said.
