The job interview is the first opportunity for job candidates and employers to get to know one another in person. It’s a critical step in the recruiting process because it gives employers the chance to learn more about a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, while also enabling the candidate to see if the job they’re applying to is the best fit.
However, when these initial conversations don’t go as planned, both candidates and employers point to the same issue as the primary cause: poor communication. To communicate more effectively during interviews, here are some tips that both candidates and employers can leverage:
1. Explain yourself during the interview process and be authentic when doing so.
Be your authentic self. Interviewing is a two-way street, so this applies to both the candidate and the interviewer. Make sure you can bring your whole self to work to ensure that you can be most effective.
Candidates: Talk about your skills, experiences, and abilities as accurately as possible. Don’t lie as that will be evident to the job interviewer and can likely come back to haunt you in the future. Instead, tell stories that express your abilities and your interest in the company you’re applying to in a genuine way.
Employers: Don’t sugarcoat the position or the company in order to win over candidates. Instead, be real about the job’s responsibilities, the company culture, and what’s needed from a candidate to be successful in the position.
2. Do your homework and let that come through in the job interview.
Candidates: You should feel prepared by researching the company and interviewer(s) as much as possible ahead of time. This will allow you to answer questions and speak confidently. Asking questions is another important way to communicate interest and being naturally inquisitive about the direction of the company demonstrates a strong sense of engagement for the position.
Employers: Job seekers devote time, money, and energy into establishing their credentials and their work experience. Their dedication deserves recognition. As an employer, you should come to the interview having looked over the candidate’s resume, and at least a few questions to probe deeper into the applicant’s background. Asking questions about certain aspects of their education and/or experience can show genuine interest in their expertise and serves as positive affirmation that they are being considered for the role.
3. Make sure that you stay in touch after an interview concludes.
Candidates: Sending a thank you note or email is not only courteous, but it shows that you’re highly interested in the job for which you’ve interviewed. Enthusiasm is a crucial component of landing a position. Lack of enthusiasm about the job can be one of the top shortcomings among job seekers.
Employers: Not knowing whether they got the job can be unnerving for candidates, especially when they feel like the interview went well. It’s also disrespectful of the time and effort the applicant has invested. Try to keep them in the loop even if you don’t extend an offer.
In sum, communication is a two-way street during job interviews. By being authentic and doing research, conversations between candidates and employers will be more effective and lead to stronger hires and better job fit in the long run.