Christopher Massie
The Little Things Make a Big Difference
Standing out during a job search doesn’t always mean having the most impressive resume or the most years of experience. Sometimes, it’s the little things.
How quickly you respond to an email. How you greet the person at the front desk. Whether you’ve taken the time to learn about the company. Whether you listen during the interview instead of just waiting for your turn to talk.
Hiring managers notice these things. And they’re forming an impression of you long before you sit down for the formal interview.
Your first impression starts before the interview and it continues after you leave.
Before You Apply: Get the Basics Right
Before sending out applications, do a quick check of the basics.
Start by calling your own voicemail. Seriously. Is it set up? Is the mailbox full? Is your outgoing message something you’re comfortable with a potential employer hearing?
Now look at your email address. The email address you created when you were 14 might still work perfectly well, but if you’d be embarrassed to say it out loud to a hiring manager, create a simple professional one for your job search.
Then there’s your resume. Make sure it’s current and accurately reflects your experience, education, skills and accomplishments. Keep a digital copy somewhere you can easily access it, and consider having a few printed copies available for in-person interviews.
Do Your Research
If you’re scheduled for an interview, take some time to learn about the organization before you arrive. You don’t need to memorize the company’s entire history.
You should, however, know what they do, understand the position you’re interviewing for and have some idea of why you’re interested in working there. Because there’s a good chance someone is going to ask:
“Why do you want to work here?”
Having an answer beyond “I need a job” makes a difference.
During the Interview: Show Up Professionally
Start with the obvious: arrive on time and dress appropriately for the workplace.
Then remember that the interview doesn’t necessarily begin when the hiring manager walks into the room. Be polite to the person at reception. Be respectful to everyone you meet. How you treat someone when you don’t think they’re involved in the hiring decision can say a lot about you.
And put your phone away. Not face down on the table. Not sitting in your lap. Away and on silent.
For the time you’ve committed to the interview, give the person in front of you your attention.
When you meet the interviewer, greet them confidently. Make eye contact. Offer a handshake when appropriate. If they’ve introduced themselves, use their name. Then focus on having a conversation.
Connect your experience back to what they’re looking for. Give examples. Explain why you’re interested. Before you leave, ask about the next steps in the process and when you can expect to hear back. That gives you a timeline and makes following up much easier.
After the Interview: Follow Through
When the interview ends, thank the interviewer for their time. If a handshake feels appropriate, offer one before you leave. Then pay attention to the timeline they gave you.
If they said you’d hear something by Friday and Tuesday rolls around with no update, it’s completely reasonable to send a polite follow-up. But do not call them the day after the interview asking for an update.
Keep applying.
A great interview feels promising, but it’s still only one step in the hiring process. Don’t stop your entire job search while you’re waiting for one company to make a decision.
Every Interaction Counts
Your resume may be what gets someone’s attention, but it’s rarely the only thing that determines who gets hired.
Your resume might get you into the room. How you show up before, during and after the interview can help you become the person they remember.