Impressing a stranger, standing out from the competition, earning an offer—these are all challenges, even for an experienced professional who should be a perfect fit.
Why?
Because the higher up you climb on the ladder, the more you’re competing against candidates with similar impressive experiences and qualifications.
As a CEO and interviewer for many years, I’ve met so many great people I ended up passing on.
So, your next question is probably, “Well, then how do I stand out?”
Here’s the big secret that has nothing to do with your resume bullet points: Your strongest selling point, your best competitive edge, is yourself. Truly—no one can copy that.
How do you show who you are over the course of a job interview? Try the following approaches:
1. Knock “Tell Me About Yourself” Out of the Park
I ask this question at the beginning of every interview (and so do many, many other people in charge of hiring). Luckily for you, the typical response is generic and long—meaning you have the opportunity here to make yourself memorable.
Consider and practice your response before entering the room. Think of it like a book’s back-cover synopsis: You’re trying to excite and encourage the interviewer. You want her to want to learn more about you—aim to make him or her curious. (Bonus: Include something that isn’t on your resume because the element of surprise can spark additional curiosity.)
If you’re not specifically asked “Tell me about yourself” during the interview, be proactive and find a way to share your answer during the conversation.
Continue here: https://www.themuse.com/advice/this-secret-to-standing-out-in-interviews...