Communication Skills for Every Stage of the Interview Process
When it comes to finding a new job, the interview stage can loom largest over most candidates. We’re here to help with putting together the perfect pitch to sell yourself to a prospective employer.
At Synergy Recruitment, we’ve spent countless hours helping to coach candidates through the tricky process of interviewing, and we know just how hard it can be to settle the pre-interview nerves and put your best foot forward.
That’s why we’ve come up with a handy guide to give you the tips you need to communicate your ideas throughout every stage of the interview.
Before the interview even starts
It’s important to remember that in today’s world, you’re being assessed well before you’ve even made it to an interview. You’ll need to present yourself at your best throughout the interview process, from the moment you apply to a job and the company checks your online presence, to when you come face-to-face with your prospective employer.
With your CV
The first communication begins with your CV, where you’re setting out who you are and what you can do. Make sure to tailor your CV to the role that you’re applying for, showing off the skills that suit the job and highlighting key experience to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Showcasing that you’ve thought about the specific role and how you fit into the company can help to set you apart before anything else.
Through email
One other aspect to consider – and something that candidates often forget! – is that whenever you’re communicating with a hiring manager, you’re being assessed. Make sure that if you’re sending an email at any point in the process, you’re taking the time to show that you’re professional and have good written communication skills. It can be tempting to shoot off a quick reply without thinking, especially if the content matter is time-sensitive, but always consider how your email communications will be received, and what message you would be sending with grammatical errors or nonchalant replies.
Over the phone
When it comes to speaking over the phone with hiring managers and recruiters, remember to keep your tone confident and your enthusiasm undeniable. Make sure that you show passion for the role at all times; that doesn’t necessarily mean outright stating “I am interested in the job”, but through other ways. Show interest, ask questions, and make sure you sound enthusiastic! Stay professional, of course, but showing that the job is important to you is a massive green light to any hiring manager.
During the interview
On Teams
When you make it to an interview and find out that it’s going to be conducted remotely, you’ve got another chance to show off your communication skills, this time in person (sort of!). Firstly, make sure that you’ve got your background sorted and you’ve chosen the right place for the interview – definitely don’t take the call in your car and make sure there’s no laundry piles or mess behind you! Give yourself time before the interview begins, to get settled. Make sure you sit up straight, look at the screen/ camera and put on your winning smile! Even though you’re not in the room with somebody, they can still see your body language, so its important to be engaged.
In person
If your final stage of the interview is in person, making sure that you’re dressed to impress and feeling confident can be a great way to exude the right energy. Making sure that you can control the nerves that everyone feels before an interview is crucial to allow you to communicate your skillset and the reasons you’re the perfect fit for the job.
Show off your passion
The most important thing to remember, whatever stage of the process you’re at, is to show enthusiasm for the job that you’re applying for. It doesn’t matter if you’re the perfect match skill-wise or the ideal culture fit for the company; if you aren’t showing passion for the job, a hiring manager won’t be interested.
Express that this is the job you want at every step of the interview process, and demonstrate the passion that you have for the role and for the company. Whether you’re submitting your CV, sending an email to the recruiter or hiring manager, or you’re in the room with your prospective employer, remember: enthusiasm is infectious, and showing that you’re interested in the role is just as important as demonstrating that you’re the right fit.
Get in touch with the team at Synergy Recruitment to find out how we can help you land your dream role. We’re here to support you through the process, whatever stage of the interview you’re at.
