Want to be the Perfect Candidate? Follow These 7 Tips from Our Experts

Job searching can require extensive time and energy which can be overwhelming for many job seekers.

According to JDP, 93% of job interviewees experience anxiety related to job interviews and preparation. A good way to mitigate this anxiety is to stay organized, prepare effectively and put in the work to position yourself as a “perfect” candidate.

By following these tips from our experts, you could set yourself up for success in the hiring process and stand out to potential employers.

1. Be Open  to New Experiences

The amount of job postings and deciding on which roles to apply to can be very overwhelming when you first start your search.

In these situations, be open to different opportunities. Consider roles in new industries and jobs that require skills that may be transferrable from your professional and educational experience.

If you see a job that you are interested in, but do not have every single qualification, consider applying. The hiring team may be flexible on certain requirements. Additionally, this can open up a conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager about their preferred qualifications and other opportunities available. Putting yourself out there is a big step, but it could lead to you landing your dream job!

2. Add a Skill Section to Your Resume

Hard skills, which are specific abilities and skills, are essential to having an effective resume. Examples of hard skills include various coding languages, project management certifications and Microsoft products.

These skills are typically listed in a formatted bullet list, so it is easier for the recruiter to easily identify them. This also helps Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) recognize and match your skills to postings within the system.

CareerBuilder found that 61% of employers think that soft skills are just as important as hard skills and should be listed on a person’s resume.

Soft skills are personality traits that are needed for personal success at jobs. These skills may be less specific than hard skills are, but they show your ability to perform a certain job. Soft skill attributes can include great communication, organization, time management skills and more. Consider including these to have your resume reflect your true self and your ability to work in various environments.

3. Research the Company You Are Applying to

Recruiters appreciate when a candidate has done their research about the company and role within the organization. It shows them that the candidate is engaged in the hiring process and saves time in the early stages of the interview process.

When you are interviewing, there is a high chance that the interviewer will ask you questions about their organization to see if you’ve done research beforehand and understand the role within the organization. Some of these questions, such as, “What do you know about our company?” or “Can you tell us what you know about the current state of our industry?” can be tricky to answer.

If you are giving indications that you have not researched the organization or industry, this could make the hiring manager think that you are not fully interested in the position and the company.

Consider visiting the company’s website, read about any recent company or industry news and get a general sense of what their products/services are.

Being an informed candidate can help you stand out to recruiters throughout the interview process and show your interest in the role.

4. Answer Questions Directly

When speaking with a recruiter, hiring manager or a representative from the company that you are interviewing for, it is recommended to give direct answers to the questions that they are asking you.

For example, if a hiring manager asks you why you are thinking of leaving your current position, simply respond in a few sentences instead of giving an answer that is convoluted and expansive.

More than likely, the company is considering multiple candidates for the position that you are interviewing for. Keeping it direct by answering questions quickly and clearly can put you ahead of other candidates.

While you want to ensure that you are answering questions directly, also make sure that they are not too short by giving yes and no answers. It is best to give answers that are direct and can be further elaborated on if needed.

5. Ask Your Interviewer Questions

In a job interview, you are not the only one that should be asked questions. It is also an opportunity for you to interview the company that you would be potentially working at and shows the interviewing team that you are interested and engaged in the interviewing process.

Here are some great questions to ask your interviewer:

• What does your company value most?
• How long have you been with this company?
• What do you find the most fulfilling in your position?
• How would you describe a typical day in this position?
• Can you describe the culture at your company?

In addition to showing the hiring team your interest in their organization, these questions can also give you the opportunity to get a better look inside the company, and help you decide if you want to continue pursuing the potential job.

6. Follow-up After Interviews

Following up after an interview is a thoughtful gesture and can show your interest in the role and company. Sending a simple “thank you” letter, email or text message to the people you interviewed with can convey that you have great follow-up skills and can make you stand apart of the competition

While many believe that the “thank you” note is a thing of the past, it can help keep you front-of-mind with the hiring team and ultimately help you stand out from other candidates

7. Be Patient

When going through the job interviewing process, it is easy to get anxious waiting to hear about the next step

According to LinkedIn, 36 days is the average time it takes for a candidate to get through the job hiring process.

Hiring processes usually include multiple rounds of interviews, candidate considerations, negotiations and more. With so many steps in the process, it will naturally take time to get through each stage.

It’s also important to always keep in mind that hiring managers have many other tasks to deal with, which could delay the hiring process even more. Being patient throughout this process is appreciated by recruiters and hiring managers. However, don’t be afraid to reach out for an update or ask about next steps and timelines in your interviews.

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Considering these tips can help you get your next job and have a fulfilling career. Looking for that next career? Check out the latest jobs from Hunter.