Interviews are daunting enough without the added pressure of knowing you’re being directly compared to the person sat next to you! However, making yourself stand out and ensuring you’re oozing professionalism is as simple as following these steps:
Wear something colourful
As much as you want to appear smart and professional at all times, wearing a hint of colour to a group interview can help you stand out from the crowd. Whilst everyone else will likely have opted for a mixture or whites, blacks and greys; wearing a coloured top or jacket to compliment your smart attire will catch the attention of your interviewers.
Be polite and friendly to everyone
It can be difficult to find a balance between personal and professional, especially since the other candidates in your interview are essentially your competition… but being friendly to them will portray positive character traits to your interviewers. Don’t forget that the interview might also be for more than one role, so the person sat across from you might be your fellow colleague next week!
Be considerate
As much as you want to convey good leadership qualities, you also want to be seen to be including others and being considerate of their opinions, even if they differ from your own. If there’s a quiet member of the group then try to involve and encourage them; this skill is highly valued by interviewers.
Arrive early
You’re competing against lots of other applicants, so you want to stand out where possible for all the right reasons. Arriving early means you have longer to impress your potential employer and gives you the opportunity to interact with those around you; showing off your social skills as well as your punctuality.
Prepare your icebreaker
It’s guaranteed that you’ll be expected to introduce yourself (or someone else) to the rest of the group, so prepare something beforehand to save any embarrassment or awkward silences. Remember to share information which shows off your personality whilst also demonstrating that you have an active life outside of work.
Ask questions
In every interview you’ll be given the opportunity to ask your own questions – use this to your advantage! This is your chance to demonstrate that you’ve done your research on the company and that you’ve thought of some intelligent questions. If you’re really struggling, try asking them about the training and promotional opportunities available within the business.
Keep your concentration
It is essential to ensure you keep concentration at all times during your interview. You can demonstrate this by taking notes, keeping eye contact and non-verbal cues like nodding to show you’re engaged and listening. You should try to avoid staring off into space, checking your phone, looking around the room and doodling as all of these convey a lack of interest and professionalism.
Most importantly of all, remember, it’s just another interview, so be yourself and let your personality shine through!
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