Interviews and Beyond

Interviews and Beyond

Getting 'the Edge' with Energy

You're one of several other candidates with similar relevant experience and excellent résumés. Each of you dresses appropriately for the meeting, shakes hands firmly and maintains eye contact with interviewer, then answers the questions articulately. Who'll get the job? While a great resume and interview demeanor can help land an offer, the deciding factor often is the amount of energy or enthusiasm you project during the meeting.

Demonstrating this "energy edge" isn't easy. It's hard to strike the right balance, wondering how to sound enthusiastic without sounding insincere and "over the top".

Interviewing skills are learned, not innate, so you can teach yourself how to project confidence and enthusiasm during meetings with hiring managers. Remember that in addition to being able to handle the actual task responsibilities, managers are looking for someone who will work tirelessly, achieve goals and connect well with others. Even if you don't have a naturally enthusiastic personality, you can verbally and visually relate how you'll attack assigned projects.

To exhibit confidence and vitality during interviews, start by having the right mind-set. To project enthusiasm, think about a cause you're passionate about or an especially enjoyable experience or adventure. When you describe this cause or experience to others your enthusiasm and resulting energy are always apparent. Certain verbal and visual cues take over. For example, your voice level may rise or fall as you describe an exciting event. You also may gesture to convey a strong feeling or action.

Having an alert, active body posture is an important start. Sitting up straight or on the edge of a chair and leaning slightly forward shows that you're interested in and excited about what you're discussing. It's hard to be enthusiastic about another person's experience if he or she doesn't seem interested in it. In other words, if you don't show enthusiasm about your background, interviewers won't be interested, either. They'll have trouble seeing you as a vital achiever who takes pride in reaching job and career goals.

Enthusiastic, confident people usually demonstrate an interest in others. Make sure you ask the interviewer questions and take the initiative in the discussion. Lead the interviewer towards favoured topics and make sure you show a willingness to meet a challenge.

By describing an accomplishment or work project with the same tones and gestures you'd use for an exciting adventure will convey your commitment to interviewers. Your energy, interest and passion for your job will emerge, separating you from candidates who depend on their resumes to speak for them.