An interview is not just an assessment of your skills, but also an opportunity to make a lasting impression on the employer.
To stand out among other candidates, consider these unconventional yet effective techniques.
1. The Familiarity Effect
People tend to trust those who seem familiar to them. Before the interview, locate the recruiter's profile on LinkedIn, explore their professional journey, and seek common ground for conversation. If you share the same university or professional interests, casually mention this during your discussion. This will help foster a sense of trust and make the interviewer more receptive to you.
2. Harmonize Your Speech Rhythm
Adjust your speaking pace to match that of the recruiter. If they speak quickly, speed up your own speech; if they are slow and deliberate, respond at a similar pace. This technique helps create a comfortable atmosphere and improve communication.
3. Use Pauses to Your Advantage
Instead of filling silences with filler words ("um," "well"), take short, confident pauses. This adds weight to your words and demonstrates your composure and self-assurance.
4. The Pygmalion Effect: Behaving Like a Successful Candidate
Communicate as if you are already part of the company. Frame your responses in a way such as, "In your team, I would suggest…" instead of "I can try…". This approach creates an impression of proactivity and readiness for work.
5. An Unconventional Question to Conclude
Instead of the usual "What are the next steps?", ask something original, like: "What do you enjoy most about your company?" or "What skills help your employees succeed?". This will make the conversation more engaging and show your genuine interest in the company.