Give yourself a post-interview self-review
Great interview, not so great response? Do a post-interview self-review
The interview ended and as you walked out of the building, you genuinely felt good. In your opinion, everything went very well. You felt that you did a great job in answering all their questions. In fact, the interviewer assured you that you were impressive and that someone would get back to you soon. Whether it’s your first interview in Canada or you immigrated here years ago and are looking to change jobs, it feels good to have a good interview.
And then comes a common occurrence. Days and sometimes weeks drag on without any word, and you find yourself asking questions like: “Why hasn’t anyone called me yet, what’s holding up the decision, did I say or do something that’s causing them to rethink?” And so on.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Unfortunately, this is where a lot of qualified candidates land. And very few interviewers are willing to share honest feedback, so you never know the real reason you weren’t hired. If you do possess the skills, credentials and experience to fill the role, but didn’t get the job, here are four self-review scenarios to consider that can help you as an internationally trained professional prepare well for future job interviews.
“Did I market myself well during the interview?”
It’s imperative that you treat the interview as a sales presentation and yourself as a product. Here is what you need to keep in mind. Your candour, image, the clothes you wear, your hair style, packaging, all matter — and they have to be top notch on the day of the interview.
In short, if your resumé boasts great credentials, you need to look the part, too. This increases your credibility and complements the skills mentioned on your resumé.
“Did my career objective really meet the employer’s needs?”
A common lament among recruiters is that job applicants simply do not match their resumés to the job description. So, here’s a question to ask: did you read the job posting —and consciously weave some of that content into your resumé? Was your resumé relevant and customized to the employer’s needs?
The question topmost on their minds is: “What are you going to bring to the table. Why should we hire you?” Perhaps you may want to consider rewriting your value proposition to focus more on how you will use your strong communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills to improve productivity and increase customer satisfaction.
“Did I take the time to brand my resumé?”
If truth be told, no one thoroughly reads your resumé — at least not the first time. In the first six seconds, they scan the pages and look for resumés that are inviting. This means that the design is eye-catching and clean, and the applicant has effectively used the white space to enhance readability.
They also look for articulate communication skills, i.e., a clear value proposition and a resumé that highlights your strengths and “sells” your “benefit” to the organization. These would include past results and accomplishments. The packaging of your resumé is important because it substantiates your strengths, increases your credibility and gives you the edge over others. It’s imperative to market the steak as well as the sizzle if you want to get noticed.
“Did I assess the overall workplace fit?”
During the interview, it is important to demonstrate that not only you possess the skills that they are looking for, but that you “fit” in with the company’s culture. If the company that you are applying to has a “serious, get down to business” culture, and you are a fun outgoing person with a bubbly personality, you may not be a good fit.
Similarly, if the job requires you to be outgoing and friendly and your personality is reserved or introverted, you would not be considered a good fit. That’s why, we recommend that you research the company online and through sources thoroughly prior to your interview.
Bad interview? It’s time to move on
Stuff happens — and often it’s not that fatal for your job search. There may be many seemingly small details in a job interview that can affect your chances. Some may be within your control, but there may be others out of your control, like the weather on the day of the interview. So just resolve to move on, buckle up and set forth on to the next adventure.