Get attention in interviews with integrity and courtesy

Daneen Skube | Interpersonal Edge

Q. I’m in my 20s and I’m discouraged about how to give myself any advantage in such a competitive tough job market. Are there strategies you recommend to clients who are struggling to get the attention of potential employers?

A. Yes, surprisingly the most powerful strategies involve old-fashioned courtesy, social skills and, perhaps most important, integrity and responsibility. If you can demonstrate these behaviors, you’ll make yourself absolutely stand out in any crowd of job applicants. Here are some of my top tips on getting the attention of your future boss: n The latest you should be for any appointment (phone or in person) is 5 minutes early. Punctuality expresses respect, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work hard. n Write a handwritten thank you note after any interview. You would be shocked at how few applicants ever express gratitude for an employer’s time. n Make certain that if you commit to doing anything for a potential employer, you do exactly what you told him or her you would do. Call at exactly the minute you said, and bring exactly what the future employer asks for to the interview. n Do not spend any time letting the employer know what they can do for you. An interview is where you get to prove you can solve the problems of the organization considering paying you. They will be underwhelmed if you use your time to let them know what you believe you are entitled to. n Listen to find out where the pain is for your future boss or organization. Make it clear you have the skills to fix it. Many job applicants are so nervous about impressing the interview committee they fail to hear the problem the company needs them to resolve. Surprisingly, looking people in the eye, smiling, dressing well, and all those things your mother told you to do are becoming rare in corporate America. Some job candidates may even decide an interview is a good place to express individuality. Employers know quirky people are often high maintenance and no employer is seeking to hire a high-maintenance employee. You can wear pink hair and nose rings when you leave work. During a lengthy search, people can feel that looking for a job is a useless maze of self-esteem hell. To counterbalance your pain about your job search, remember that employers really are desperate to find someone who can do an excellent job. Employers often feel despair that they will find anyone who can show up on time, do what they say, and work hard. You may think these simple attributes can’t possibly be enough to make you stand out but if you talked to employers you’d be surprised how many candidates don’t hit this “normal” employment bar.