Wondering how you can nail your next interview and secure your dream gig?

We've grilled the team here at Morgan Consulting on what stands out to them when interviewing candidates. They've interviewed hundreds to thousands of people over the years, so following their advice is sure to set you up for career success…

1. How enthusiastic you are

You've probably heard the advice that you should show enthusiasm in an interview if you want to get the job offer. Well, it's true! Hiring managers are more likely to offer you the job if you seem enthusiastic about the company and position. The energy you bring in to the room can have a huge impact on the meeting. So use your voice, pitch, tone, and body language to convey your enthusiasm – non-verbal cues make up 93% of all communication.

“The thing I notice is the candidate's enthusiasm. This goes a long way – if the candidate is alert, concentrating on what you are saying and seems interested in the opportunity, then you know they will likely present this way in front of the client. Body language and communication skills are encapsulated into this “enthusiasm”.” – Leonie Jennings, Senior Consultant

2. Your level of confidence in what you say

Being asked about your work experience and current role is expected, but you might also be thinking, “didn't they read the CV that took me so long to write?!” Have no doubts that your CV has not only been read, but also thoroughly checked for spelling and grammar. What the interviewer is really interested in when they ask this question is how you deliver the information. Your confidence in what you're saying reflects your confidence in your abilities. Need to work on your delivery? Practice makes perfect!

“Level of confidence in what they are saying. Whilst talking me through their experience and successes, the confidence in which they are telling me about this, tells me a lot about them and their experience.” – Ez Khan, Chief Operating Officer

3. Your manners and politeness

Throughout your interview, it's important to show respect to everyone you meet, right from the beginning when you are greeted by the front desk staff. Sparking up a conversation, graciously accepting an offer of tea or coffee, and thanking them for all their help when you leave, can go a long way in showing your true character. It might seem like a minor thing that will go unnoticed, but rest assured many hiring managers will ask their receptionist's opinion as soon as you're out of the door.

Punctuality is another old-fashioned value that can't be underestimated. Being late for your scheduled interview is usually an indication that you don't pay attention to important details, nor do you respect the time of others. So make sure you're on time!

“1. Are they friendly to our reception staff?

It's amazing how many people turn it on for the interviewer, but are shy or even rude to the reception staff, thinking perhaps they are not important. I always ask Reception “what did you think of their first impression?”, especially when hiring for an internal role here.

Are they well presented?

Are they on time?

All old-fashioned values, but still important.” – Andrew Aston, Managing Director

4. Your eye contact

Maintaining eye contact can be challenging for some, but it is the first and biggest step to being confident in a job interview. This is especially confronting for the more introverted beings who might need to look away in order to recall information or construct sentences before speaking. In this instance it's acceptable - just remember that too much eye contact can be intimidating, while the lack of eye contact shows a disinterest in the conversation.

“Lack of eye contact! Very hard to build a rapport with candidates who cannot maintain eye contact.” – Becky Honess, Practice Manager

5. Your questions

Job interviews are a mutual conversation, and while companies are there to determine whether the potential employee would be a good fit for the position, you as a candidate also need to establish if the role and company is right for you. Asking questions shows that you're truly interested in the job, you've done some thorough research and even considered yourself as an employee of that business.

“I notice the type of questions they ask. Are they focused on the role and the potential? Or more on the money, title, parking, perks etc?” - Jeff Bonnin, Associate Director 

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