When hiring managers search for the perfect candidate to fill a position, they look for a particular set of traits in their ideal candidate. These traits are what will set you apart from your competition and increase your chances of landing the job. Find out what they are in the list below:
- You met the minimum job criteria
- You have relevant experience
- You understand and support the mission of the organization
- You can site specific examples demonstrating your ability to do the job
- You demonstrate competent communication skills and are able to connect with your audience
- You interview well and confidently, and have strong responses to interview questions
- You build rapport in the interview including showing resourcefulness, intellect, and passion
- You ask questions to demonstrate interest in the organization (and to indicate that you did your homework on the company)
- You offer enthusiastic references
- You have potential for growth and development
At the end of the day, the real deciding factor boils down to one important quality: They like you. How you personally connect with the receptionist, hiring manager, and anyone else you meet during your interview is incredibly important. A less-qualified person might get the job over someone more qualified simply because they had better chemistry with the hiring manager. So it’s important to remember that being likeable is just one more trait hiring managers look for when interviewing candidates!
