Key Insights for Achieving Interview Success

After reviewing thousands of interview feedback forms throughout my career, I've noticed a pattern: candidates who clearly articulate why they want the specific role and why they're an ideal fit before leaving the interview consistently receive higher ratings.   Many qualified professionals mistakenly assume: • Their enthusiasm for the role is self-evident • Their qualifications clearly align with the job requirements • The interviewer has connected all the dots between their experience and the position   However, leaving this crucial connection unstated can significantly impact hiring decisions.   The closing moments of an interview create a lasting impression.   Using this time to clearly summarize your interest and fit provides the interviewer with clarity that helps them advocate for you in subsequent hiring discussions.   Before concluding any interview, take a moment to explicitly state: • Your specific interest in this role and organization • How your experience directly addresses their key needs • Your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute   This simple practice ensures nothing is left to interpretation about your interest or suitability - exactly what hiring managers need when comparing candidates.   What interview closing technique have you found most effective?   Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju    #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #professionalcommunication #interviewstrategies #hiringprocess

Here’s something I’ve never shied away from: Asking tough questions. I’m in talks with executives all the time, but I’ve never let their stature intimidate me. My selection process goes beyond the resume resumes and references. It's about understanding the deeper layers of a candidate, and learning about their motivations, values, and the experiences that shaped them. I grew up with the Oprah show on daily. I’ve admired how she masterfully uncovers the true face of her guests through tough, yet thoughtful questions. I aspire to use similar techniques to get to the heart of a candidate’s story during interviews. Here’s the thing, asking tough questions isn't about grilling someone, it's about creating a space where honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability can come through. Now, no two interviews are the same. Which is why it’s important to dive deeper into the story to uncover various aspects. Here’s how you can frame these tough questions as per each candidate: 1/ Ask About Their Vulnerabilities Asking questions that allows candidates to reflect on their struggles, resilience, and growth is an integral part of the process. An example: What’s the biggest failure that you’ve experienced, and how did it shape your approach moving forward? 2/ Discover Their ‘Why’ Understanding why someone does what they do helps reveal the candidate’s core values and motivations, and gives insights that can help in determining if their personal goals align with your company’s mission. An example: Can you mention a transformative personal story, and how it influenced your professional decisions in the past? 3/ Encourage Honest Self-Reflection There must be questions that allow the candidate to introspect about their career, as the answers highlight how they handle self-reflection, growth, and change—key traits in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. An example: How do you assess your own growth and progress in your career? 4/ Get Personal Within Reason Without crossing professional boundaries, asking personal questions can give you a window into how candidates think and prioritise in life. This approach can shed light on the values they bring into the workplace and how they lead others. An example: Are there any life experiences that you believe have prepared you for this leadership role? Can you elaborate on one? Trust me, these questions will save you a lot of headache in the future. Thank me later! #Interview #Hiring #HeadHunting