Something that every candidate fears in the job hunting process is not being good enough for a potential employer to hire you. Are you qualified enough? Are you intelligent enough? If you are, is that enough? All of this boils down to one question: How can you make a good impression on hiring managers and interviewers, and stand out during the job hunt?

In interviews, it only takes six minutes for potential employers to decide if they want to hire you. Hence, if you want to distinguish yourself among a sea of candidates, you have a very limited time frame in which to do so. Some candidates have previously employed creative tactics to leave a lasting impression, and while some of these have worked well, others have not. Take a look at some memorable stories about job candidates, both good and bad, and gain some inspiration from them!

How Candidates Have Made a Good Impression

Some questions interviewers often ask are in regards to role-related knowledge: they want to find the right blend of skills and cultural fit. Instead of waiting for them to ask you those questions, why not show them beforehand?

• Show passion for the job you’re applying for. Jake Tully, head of the creative team at TruckDrivingJobs.com, shares, “An applicant for a writing position at our trucking website sent over her resume and cover letter while also sending over a very unusual yet interesting gift: postcards from local truck stops and diners. Over the course of the few weeks that I was making hiring decisions, her postcards arrived at my address from trucker stops with short messages such as, ‘Looking forward to hearing from you about a writing journey down the road.’ She made her present indelible and unique, and she immediately demonstrated interest and creativeness, making her an easy candidate for me to choose for the job.”
• Show that you have the skills they are looking for. Looking for a job in advertising, Alec Brownstein decided to take out Google ads with the names of advertising executives in the hopes that the ads would pop up when they looked up their names. An executive from Young and Rubicam spotted one of his ads, and called Brownstein in for an interview. Brownstein got the job. Alternately, wow hiring managers by showing them exactly how you could contribute to their company by sending in actionable ideas with mock-ups and financial forecasts.
• Be part of the team. Interviewers ultimately want to know if you are a good fit for the position, both culturally and job-wise, so show them what it would be like to have you on the team! Candidates have asked to be interviewed in Spanish for a bilingual position, repaired company equipment, and helped assistants when they were stressed. Additionally, it is not uncommon for hiring managers to ask the receptionist about their opinion of you, so be nice to everyone you meet along the job search process!

The good news is that you do not have to pull a creative, slightly outlandish stunt in order to be remembered! Employers have reported being on time, being prepared for the interview, and confident body language as the key factors considered when gathering a first impression.

Why Candidates Got Rejected

Remember that the hiring process is meant to show interviewers what it might be like to work with you. Factors such as your appearance and the way you interact with hiring managers or interviewers, among others, play a role in helping them reach a decision.

• The initial impressions. Before calling you in for an interview, hiring managers will review your resume and cover letter first. If there are any errors or inconsistencies on either document, hiring managers often will not call you in. You should also ensure that your resume fits the culture of the company you are applying for. Creative resumes might get you into advertising agencies, but might not be right for investment banking firms. Outside of actively searching for positions, you should always be cognizant of what impression you impart on others. Even if you are just meeting company representatives at networking events, be courteous to them. They will probably remember your interactions with them, and you never know when they might be sitting in front of you during an interview!
• Dressing inappropriately. If you are being interviewed through an online video call, dress for it appropriately – blouse, tie, business formal pants and all! While it may be tempting to sit down in sweatpants, you never know when you might have to stand up during your interview. If you are doing an in-person interview, it is always safer to dress conservatively. Outfits like catsuits or clown costumes (unless you are applying for a party clown position – student loans aren’t going to pay themselves!) are out of line. However, remember that different industries call for different dress codes: while a finance position may call for candidates to dress in a suit, a position in the tech industry may allow you to dress more casually.
• Pestering the company. While there can be a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not, gestures such as buying dinner for your interviewer, putting up posters of yourself on company premises, and attempting to bribe your interviewer are definite no-no’s. Remember: persistence does not mean pestering! You could come across as desperate, annoying, or slightly creepy.

While some of these mistakes may seem unbelievable, they are actual situations that interviewers and hiring managers have found themselves in! To improve your skills and execute a flawless interview, remain critical of your performance in interviews. Be aware of errors and work to improve them before your next interview!

Once you have made it to the interview stage, your interviewers and hiring managers are interested in hiring you, so give them a reason to! Whether it is helping someone or having a good handshake, the little things add up to shape a potential employer’s impression of you. Every second is another chance to impress them, so make it count!

Looking for more interview tips? Check out career development events on Beedie Community!