In the interview process, what qualities do they look for when deciding to give you the job?

Hi Katie. Great question; honing your interviewing skills will go a long way. Although each employer will be looking for something different in terms of skill set or experience based on the job function, there are few key qualities (also known as soft skills) that all employers love to see. For starters, employers want to know that you are reliable, hard-working, have a positive attitude, and willing to learn. In addition to the previously mentioned items, employers want to know if you understand the company’s mission and goals, and that your goals and work ethic will align.

When applying and interviewing with any company is its imperative to read the job description and research the company. Make sure that your resume and responses align with what the company is looking for. If you have experience that is relevant for the role, make sure to highlight it. As I mentioned above, employers want to know you are eager to learn, and therefore is it very beneficial to ask thoughtful questions (which should be developed based on the research you performed on the company) during your interviews, to show you are interested in learning more about the role and company.

Best wishes,

Amit

Katie, great question and the previous answer contains some really good tips. I would like to add/emphasize that being peppy and confident are vital to succeeding in an interview. I have been in plenty of interviews where the interviewer challenged what I said or asked a "curve ball" question. They were looking to see how I functioned when under pressure and were looking to see if I'd flinch. Confidence in you, yourself, your answers, and your abilities are key to being successful in any industry. Be careful not to come off as cocky, but polite and firm confidence is a good trait to possess. Also, keeping your cool and not panicking when you're thrown a curve ball is vital in all interviews as I have always encountered curve balls when interviewed.

Be prepared for anything and everything as you will often encounter "left field questions" that are used to gauge how you operate in the unknown.

Best,

Austin

Hi Katie,

I now work in the Recruitment industry and I believe can answer this pretty succinctly. Here are the top things interviewers look for:

-Presentation. Dress well for the job you are interviewing for. Suits are always preferred.

-Resume`/Background. Make sure your resume` is tailored to the job you are applying for, make it as relative as possible. List your accomplishments on your resume` and how you have directly impacted the previous organizations you have been with positively.

-Knowledge of the Role/Company. Know as much about the job and company you are applying for as possible. This shows a dedication to the company and that the interview means something to you. The interviewee will be impressed if you have educated yourself on their company and express a desire to make a positive impact on the company.

-Motivation. Be peppy, be driven and come across as a hard worker. Companies want eager and driven people to join their team.

This should be a good start for you. Good luck!

Mike