6 Things Every Employer Looks For During a Job Interview

Interviewing for a new job can be an overwhelming process for anyone. Of course, you need to ensure that your resume is up to the company’s standards, but there are so many other factors involved if you want to nail the interview process.

Well-respected job interview coach Mike Simpson encourages you to be direct, personable, and show your true self during the interview session. On top of these critical elements of interviewing, here are a few more things that every employer looks for in a potential candidate.

Are you making solid eye contact?

If you aren’t making eye contact with the interviewer, this is a major problem. When you feel uncomfortable or lack confidence, keeping solid eye contact can be a challenge. But do your best not to dart your eyes around the room; the interviewer will see this as you being unconfident or even assume that you aren’t at all interested in the interview that is taking place.

Are you coming off as genuine?

Remember to be yourself! You might try to show a side of you that doesn’t even exist, but this will come off as ingenuity. The interviewer can tell if your answers are well-thought out and genuine. When you show your true character the interviewer will be able to determine if your personality meshes well with the other team members and if you fit into the company mold.

Are you actually answering the questions?

When unsure of how to answer an interview question you might try to tiptoe around it. This won’t fool the interviewer; he or she can see straight through your tactic. Be direct and if you are unclear of what the question really is, ask for a more thorough explanation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and it will show that you are determined in answering the question to the best of your ability.

Do you actually know how to explain what’s on your resume?

Even if your resume is flawless it doesn’t matter if you aren’t able to explain its contents. You should know your resume like the back of your hand. Try not to add every single detail about your employment history to your resume, just make sure that you can explain it in detail when the time comes.

Do you even know what the job position entails?

Always do your research before applying for any job. A lot of candidates enter an interview without even knowing the specifics of the position in question. You need to understand the tasks involved and the qualifications that are required to achieve those tasks. However, feel free to ask about what your daily schedule would be like if you end up receiving the job.

Are you adaptable and open to flexibility?

Perhaps you aren’t perfect for the position, but are you able to adapt and learn as you go? The interviewer will want to know if you have flexibility and are willing to learn the necessary skills (even if you don’t have them at that moment in time).