Looking for a job and coming in from one job interview to another can be a tedious, sometimes even unnerving, process. You might have prepared your resume and polished your cover letter, wore your most decent smart casual, and ran through some of the most common interview questions and prepared your answer. What you have gone through, from exams to interviews, might have seemed perfect, but the next thing you knew, it was somebody else who got the job.
Although what you brought to the table looked impressive both for you and the interviewer, your skillset is not the only case in point! If you think that you’ll get the job just by sitting before your interviewer and answering all the questions with ease, you are wrong. Grace only wins half the battle.
The Other Side of the Coin
Whether you are applying in a corporate company or a temporary recruitment agency, it is always good to show up on interviews in neatly ironed polo matched with the right amount of confidence, but focusing on yourself too much can blind your one eye. Remember, it is between you and the boss. Here are some tips to help you be more well-informed about what’s on the other side of the coin.
Examine the interviewer’s mood
Bosses and interview personnel are just human too. Before they sit down and talk with you, they might have gone through an exasperating morning rush hour, skipped breakfast, or bumped with demanding co-workers.
Greeting them in a very cheerful attitude can make them feel that you are insensitive. Also, answering them in an overly formal fashion might just upset them even more! If something might have driven them mad, here’s the trick: Just be cautious not to clash with their mood. If you can, try to match their mood on a positive note.
Don’t be too friendly
There are egomaniacs who think they know what's best for every occasion. There are some who are thinking beasts, but they remain quiet and reserved. There are those who see your potential according to your character rather than your achievements.
To say that you have to observe what personality your interviewer falls under might sound absurd at least and hilarious at best. However, as you go along and try to observe, you’ll definitely have an idea.
Just keep in mind that you have to be friendly—but not to the extent that you look fake—to go with the current and definitely not against it, especially when pointing something you do not agree with. There are placement agencies in Singapore that put more weight on your work attitude rather than what you have accomplished before, and that includes how polite you disagree.
Show your interest
Most HR staff in recruitment agencies in Singapore remark applicants who do their research and show their interest in what they can contribute to the company. At the end of the interview, do not be afraid to make that impression by asking questions that relate to the company and job you are applying for.