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Given the competitive job market, job-seekers have to pull out all the stops to differentiate themselves and land their dream jobs. While job interviews can be nerve-wracking and focus heavily on answering tough questions, candidates should also strategically highlight their interests during these conversations.
This article will explore the various reasons why highlighting one’s interests during a job interview is critical and how it can work to a candidate’s advantage.
Enhances Cultural Fit
Cultural fit plays a significant role in recruiting and hiring processes, with companies looking to hire individuals with compatible values, ethics, and interests. By highlighting their interests, candidates can demonstrate their suitability for the company’s cultural profile and improve their chances of securing a job offer.
For instance, if a company values teamwork, a candidate can mention their volunteer work with a sports team or non-profit organization or talk about how they’re an active member of a club or organization consisting of individuals with similar interests.
Demonstrates Passion and Drive
When candidates showcase their interests related to the field they’re interviewing for, it demonstrates their passion and enthusiasm. Highlighting projects they have completed in the past or ongoing pet projects can speak volumes about their drive and ambition, which is something that every employer looks for.
For example, if a candidate is interviewing for a web developer position, he/she can mention the side projects they’ve been working on or the meetups they attend to network with other developers. This showcases how devoted they are to improving their skillset and how passionate they are about the field.
Creates Space for Conversation
Interviews are conversations, not interrogations. While interviewers will undoubtedly ask specific questions related to the job, they’re also looking to get to know the candidate as a person. By opening up about their interests, the conversation goes beyond just the job description, breaking the ice, creating natural engagement points, and fostering a connection between the interviewer and interviewee.
Case in point, let’s say a candidate is interviewing for a marketing position. Suppose they mention their love for podcasts and the interviewer happens to have a podcast themselves. In that case, the conversation flows naturally, building a rapport, which could give the candidate a considerable edge.
Final Thoughts
Overall, highlighting interests during a job interview can be a deal-breaker in terms of securing that dream job. It enhances cultural fit, showcases passion and drive, and creates natural conversation starters that open up the dialogue.
However, it’s essential to remember not to go overboard; candidates should aim to talk about their interests that tie in with the job description and company culture. Doing so can leave a lasting impression, making candidates stand out from the rest.
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