Interviewing is as much a psychological event as it is a physical one. You not only have to show up in person (or on the Zoom call) but mentally, you have to bring your A game.
There are certain psychological tricks that can help you stand out one step further than other candidates.
Here are four things to try to remember to do on your next interview that will create an immediate trust between you and the interviewer, helping you to land the job.
1. Compliment the organization
Tell the interviewer how excited you are for the opportunity to work at the company, and how much you would love to work there. Studies show that just by complimenting the organization in the interview, the recruiter or hiring manager is more likely to see you as a culture fit.
So that your compliment is genuine, research the company beforehand so you are also prepared to tell them what aspect of the company makes you excited to work there. Do they have a really great professional development program that would help you grow within the company? Is there a lot of diversity among their leadership team? Do they have strong initiatives towards a social cause you care about like sustainability, community involvement, etc…
2. Show your hands
Don’t overdo this one, but while you are talking try to add in a few demonstrations with your hands and make sure to keep your hands on the table or desk. If you are doing a virtual interview, it’s more complicated to show your hands just by keeping them on the desk, so use more of the hand motions while you are talking.
Humans are psychologically primed to think someone is more trustworthy when we can see their hands, and there’s no better time to show you are trustworthy than during a job interview!
3. Wear the color blue
Many studies have found that the color blue represents trust and calmness, two important personality traits companies look for in their team members. The color blue also helps you come across as a team player as well.
You don’t have to dress head to toe in blue, but throw on a blue blazer or blue button down if you can!
4. Remember the interview starts the moment you walk through the front door of the building
You may think the only people who have a say in the hiring are the people you interview with, but that’s not true. Anyone you come into contact can give additional positive or negative feedback to the hiring manager, because people don’t want to work with someone they don’t find pleasant.
One of the most important skills in hospitality is forming relationships with anyone, and a great way to show that you are able to do that is talking with other employees you interact with while waiting for your interview. As and added bonus, you may get some additional insights into the company, and if you get hired you’ll already have started a relationship with a coworker!