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It’s frustrating, but it’s the truth: the candidate who is ideal on paper just isn’t the one who is offered the job in certain instances. So why are these individuals not living up to their credentials in interviews -and how can you avoid becoming one of them? Follow these tips to create a deeper understanding of the needs of your hiring manager, so that you can effectively communicate how you can help.

1. Research company culture. Find out about the “personality” of a company in which you are really interested by researching them online, connecting with them on social media, and if possible, through an informational interview. By doing this, you can assess where you would fit in at the company, and how best to relate to your hiring manager at your interview.

2. Read the news, as it pertains to your field. If the company with which you are interviewing is in the news, you need to know about it; this could lend a valuable insight to what you could bring to the company. For instance, if you are interviewing for an IT position, and there has been a notable security breach, bring this up and mention that you specialize in securities, showing how you have contributed in this way in the past.

3. Show enthusiasm about the job. Hiring managers are leery of people who are unwilling or unable to show enthusiasm about the job, company or project they are discussing. This comes with good reason; those interested in the job only for a short period of time, or because it is their fourth choice, will likely not do as effective of a job as someone who is openly excited by it.

4. Bring a relevant portfolio. Once you have determined through research how you can angle your interview to include ways you can help the company, make sure your portfolio reflects your capabilities. If you think you could design software to streamline a shipping process and save your future employer a great deal of money, bring screenshots of past programs you have created. If you managed a crew and used an incentive program to increase productivity, provide examples and illustrations of that.

If you need some help finding companies that would be an excellent fit for you, contact us today. We can pair you with Michiana businesses that are seeking qualified candidates, just like you!

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