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5 Secrets To Beat Your Competition And Get Hired

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Getting hired isn’t easy.

Sometimes the company will give you feedback on your interview performance, but it’s not common for interviewers to give details on why they chose someone else – why would they?

The best way to get the better of your competition for the role is to simply do better than them.

This requires you to make sure you do a number of things as well as you can.

First, you have to get to the interview.

The hiring managers start their selection process by eliminating candidates based on their resumes.

They then use the performances in phone interviews, and any other tools that come their way.

If you keep getting passed over for job openings, there are a number of reasons for this:

  • Bad luck – The interviewer had too many resumes and didn’t even get to yours
  • A poor CV – The interviewer did see your resume, and decided they didn’t want to interview you.
  • Not the right candidate – The interviewer might look at your resume but decide you’re not right for the role

Win Over The Interviewer And Get Hired

Recruiters typically hire people they like.

It’s your responsibility to show them what a good person you are and win them over in the interview.

It’s your responsibility to make it so they can’t reject you.

One of the best methods to do this is to overwhelm them with positives.

Tell the interviewers about your successes and also give specific examples of how you helped others.

Carefully go through the job description too.

This gives you a better understanding of the company and the open position.

It also helps you in customizing your resume and cover letter.

Finally, and most crucially, provide evidence to support your claims.

This can include such as glowing testimonials, employee of the month awards, unique recognitions, maximum salary raises, etc.

READ MORE: The Benefits Of Temporary Work

Be Honest With The Interviewer

Let’s face it – you’re not going to get hired if the interviewer takes against you.

If they think you’re not interested, or worst, dishonest, then it’s game over.

If you’re going into an interview with the intention of trying to lie your way through it, you are likely to get found out and probably don’t deserve to get the job.

There are some other aspects the interviewer may spot that can be worked on.

For example:

  • Lack of people skills
  • Excessive talking
  • Overly high expectations of the role

Your nonverbal communication plays a major role in a job interview.

Be aware of your body language as it has an impact on your verbal communication. 

Fierce Competition

Sometimes, circumstances beyond your control can make it difficult for you to land a job.

Because of the low unemployment rate, there is fierce competition among skilled candidates for every open position.

Getting hired for your dream job requires more than just getting an interview; how do you get an offer?

Due to the large-scale cuts being carried out by huge corporations at the start of 2023, there are now a lot of very experienced people looking for work.

Those people are likely not to have had to take part in a job interview for many years.

What you can do if you find yourself struggling to find a job is practice your interview techniques.

There are steps you can take to get ready for your next interview which will present you as a suitable candidate.

READ MORE: Looking for a new job? Find our free resume templates here

Do Not Come Across As Desperate

For example, one thing to consider is not coming across as desperate for the job.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t be indifferent to the job on offer.

You also don’t want to come out as desperate or overly enthusiastic.

Many interviewers can tell when a candidate is desperate.

This makes them wonder why the candidate isn’t having more success elsewhere.

You don’t want to put doubts in your interviewer’s mind.

The ideal way to enter an interview is with confidence and enthusiasm – but not desperation -for the position being offered.

Five Things You Must Do In The Interview

  • Be on time
  • Dress appropriately
  • Get your Resume right
  • Do your research – Look at the company site, read recent press releases, look at its social media
  • Make sure you ask questions

READ MORE: Using LinkedIn And Job Portals To Search For Jobs

The Importance of Research To Help Get Hired

A job seeker carries out some research ahead of her interview

With a multitude of online resources at your disposal, there is no excuse for not performing some basic research on your target company today.

You can learn a tonne about their business by simply visiting the company website.

You can also find people in your network who may be employed there now or in the past by using social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Try to establish a connection with them to learn more about the business and maybe see if you can have a quick phone call.

After doing your research, it’s a good idea to consider some important questions you’d like to ask during the interview regarding clients, goods, operations, growth strategies, the role, and other topics.

Asking these important questions—difficult, perceptive inquiries that most people won’t—is a straightforward method to set yourself apart from the competition.

The majority of interviewers will ask if you have any questions, so take advantage of the chance rather than respectfully declining.

By asking pertinent questions, you’ll be able to prove that you completed your research, understand the market, and will be a productive team member.

READ MORE: 5 Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

During the Interview

  • Promote your skills and abilities
  • Prepare thoroughly – Make a list of things you want to make sure you get across to the interviewer.
  • Don’t drone on
  • Make sure you actually answer the questions, don’t reel off your prepared spiel regardless of what you’re being asked.
  • Ask questions afterward
  • Be assured, but not arrogant

How Can You Stand Out And Get Hired?

You have little chance of being employed until the employer sees your resume in the first place.

Demonstrate to the employer you are the best and most valuable employee by coming up with profitable solutions that will advance the company.

It’s important to highlight your past achievements, but it will definitely impress the interviewer if you can prove you’ve thought about the company and how it can move forward.

This shows you are not merely a machine that executes instructions.

Say things like, “I am confident that through developing innovative marketing strategies, I will raise this company’s net worth.” Be precise.

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