The Job Interview Secret No Recruiter Will Ever Reveal

Not many people like to think of themselves as great job applicants. Rather, we tend to think of ourselves as qualified applicants, but great workers. However, in order to land your dream job, you need to flip the script and take advantage of recruiters’ job interview secret: making yourself a great applicant. 

The Interview Process

You probably already know that most interview processes are not entirely fair. In most cases, companies set a minimum number of interviews that need to take place before making an “official” hiring decision, even if they have already decided who they want to hire in advance. This means that you are up against great odds when you show up to an interview without an inside track already lined up. In order to overcome these odds, you must work within the system to build up your interviewing skills, make more connections, and even create the impression that you are being courted by a variety of companies. So how do you do this?

Becoming a Great Applicant

The number one best way to become a great applicant is to interview for a lot of jobs. There is no shortcut around this. In fact, it is even advantageous to attend interviews for jobs that you aren’t particularly interested in. Why? Because it gives you the opportunity to practice thinking on your feet and formulating answers without the pressure of your dream job on the line. The more fluid and adaptable you become when you’re in the hot seat, the more successful you will be at all interviews going forward. Then, when the job you really want comes along, you will be prepared to pounce on it. In addition, by applying to lots of jobs, you will become better acquainted with what employers are looking for, decoding the secrets to resume writing and those first precious phone calls. Plus, you’ll be able to explore positions that you may never have looked at before.

While this tip may seem obvious, many people avoid the hassle of interviewing for jobs they think they don’t want, while the real winners are those who take advantage of this time to hone their skills and master the art of interviewing.