So you've made it to the interview stage - great!
While every position and company is different, there are some general qualities that the majority of hiring teams look for during the interview process.
When you're preparing for your interview, if you make sure to have at least one example that showcases each of the following, you’ll definitely stay front of mind to the interviewer.
From our experience as a recruiter, hiring teams look for these 4 things - and what good would this information be without examples, so we have included some for you too.
Cultural Fit:
Companies prioritise candidates who align with their culture and values, so do your research on the company culture before the interview and prepare to show how your values align. Start by exploring their website for insights into their core values, mission statement and any employee-centric initiatives.
Their social media profiles can give great insight too. However, these are of course filtered through the organisations’ gaze, so don’t be afraid to look for reviews from past employees through sites like Glassdoor or connecting with professionals on LinkedIn who have been associated with the company.
Example:
"[company name] seems to foster a collaborative and innovative culture, which aligns perfectly with my own values. I thrive in environments where everyone's input is valued. In my previous role I actively sought out opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams and genuinely enjoyed the insights. I'm excited about the prospect of joining a company that shares my passion for teamwork and embraces creativity, and I'm confident that my collaborative nature would contribute positively to the culture here"
Problem Solving and Initiative:
Companies want candidates who can show initiative and think critically to solve problems.
How can you show that? Two words. Quantifiable examples.
Quantifiable results are better in an interview than just statements because they provide concrete evidence of your skills and achievements. Statements like "I am a hard worker" or "I am a problem-solver" are vague and don't provide any measurable data to support your claims.
Using quantifiable results show the interviewer that you have a results-oriented mindset, can set and achieve goals, and have a track record of success.
Example:
"I believe my ability to identify and resolve accounting challenges would be an asset to your team's commitment to accuracy and efficiency. In my previous role, I identified [problem] that was causing [issue]. Taking initiative I implemented [new processes], resulting in [impressive quantifiable result].
Bonus points for coming to an interview with well-thought-out ideas for potential strategies, approaches, or solutions to a particular upcoming issue - it can demonstrate your ability to think on your feet.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
Being able to communicate effectively is crucial for most positions in any organisation.
Being able to highlight how you have made great professional connections in the past, both internally and externally, as well as your ability to communicate complex information clearly and efficiently will make you stand out as an applicant.
Example:
"I have a track record of building strong professional connections and effectively communicating complex information. For example, in my previous role as a [job title], I actively collaborated with different departments to gather insights and translate financial data into clear presentations. By fostering these relationships with colleagues, I successfully communicated complex information to the executive team and gained alignment on strategic decisions [x times] faster than usual.
Adaptability and Flexibility:
Companies look for candidates who can adapt to changes in the company and industry as they arise.
Explain how you have handled changes in your previous roles and demonstrated flexibility to accommodate changes in projects, procedures, or company direction.
Example:
"Previous roles have required me to accommodate changes in projects, and I approach changes with an open mind and a willingness to learn and adapt. For example when faced with [issue], I was able to [adaptation], in order to ensure [result].
In our experience working as a recruiter and helping candidates like you land their next role, these are the 4 most common areas hiring managers are looking to find out more about in an interview. Prepare for them and you'll be sure you're putting the right foot forward. You got this!