#JobSearch : Do This One Thing To Ace Job Interviews And Get Hired. Got Interview? MUst REad!
When preparing for a job interview, candidates often equip themselves with an arsenal of qualifications and rehearsed answers to standard interview questions. They do their prep, gather their career marketing materials, and get all their facts straight and ready to respond to hiring managers’ questions. Those are important activities that can help you make it to the next step in the hiring process. There’s one thing, though, that you can do in addition, that will help tip the scale in favor of you over other candidates: connect emotionally.
Although hiring managers will tell you all the logical reasons they made a decision on who to bring in to fill their open position, humans make decisions based on emotion. The amygdala, the part of your brain that processes emotions, activates first during decision-making. The rational elements of decision-making follow that initial emotional response.
Making emotional connections in a job interview can set you apart from other candidates by creating a memorable impression and demonstrating your command of important social skills. Here are 13 ways you can establish that connection:
1. Research. Dive into the digital footprints of your interviewers. Scour Google and LinkedIn to glean insights into their professional journey and personal interests.
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2. Relate. Review the results of your research to find commonalities or points of interest that you can relate to during the conversation. Perhaps you both went to the same college, or you both follow Oprah on LinkedIn.
3. Listen. Be present and listen intently during the interview. Show that you are fully engaged by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and reacting appropriately to what the interviewer says. This attentiveness is the language of respect.
4. Tell Stories. Facts inform, but stories resonate. Share anecdotes that illustrate your experiences, especially those that demonstrate empathy, teamwork, and passion. Be sure to combine facts and stats with a big helping of emotion.
5. Express Enthusiasm. Let your genuine excitement for the role and the company’s vision and mission radiate. A warm, earnest smile can be the spark that lights up the room, or, in virtual interviews, the Zoom screen.
6. Use the Interviewer’s Name. People love the sound of their own name. Use the interviewer’s name naturally during the conversation to create a more personal rapport.
7. Mirror Body Language. Words account for only 7% of a communication; the rest is made up of body language, tone of voice. Use your body language to signal agreement and establish rapport—just tread the fine line between mimicry and mirroring with care.
8. Be Authentic. Authenticity is the foundation of your personal brand. It fosters trust. Be honest about your experiences and feelings.
9. Show Empathy. When the opportunity arises, show that you can understand and share the feelings of others. This could be responding thoughtfully to something the interviewer has said about the company or the team. For instance, offering a copy of your resume when the interviewer cannot find hers is a small yet impactful act of empathy.
10. Find the Emotional Why. Try to find a deeper emotional connection to the work and share a personal narrative related to the company’s mission. For example, if you’re applying to a healthcare company, you might talk about a personal experience that makes their healthcare mission meaningful to you.
11. Exude Positivity and Gratitude. Convey a positive attitude throughout the interview, and express gratitude for the interviewer’s time and consideration. Avoid being Doug or Debbie Downer and casting blame or expressing negativity.
12. Ask Meaningful Questions. Pose questions that reflect your deep dive into the company’s ethos and signal a genuine interest in the interviewer’s perspective. Show that you respect the interviewer’s opinions and perspective.
13. Reinforce the Emotional Connection. Post-interview, take a moment to reflect on the peak of your emotional engagement. Use that moment as a core message or theme for a personalized thank-you note that rekindles the shared connection.
Applying these strategies with thoughtfulness and sincerity can elevate you from a mere candidate to an unforgettable prospect. It’s this emotional resonance that often tips the scales and transforms a prospect into a successful hire.
Forbes.com | January 7, 2023 | William Arruda
