Toojays Blog

Getting a competative advantage

With more and more candidates fighting for fewer and fewer roles its essential that you give yourself the best competative advantage possible when searching for a new role.

Having recently gone through our own recruitment process we have some advice straight from the recuiters mind for would be future candidates that could help you get ahead of the game.

 The Essentials

1. Know your stuff. Before any interview, do your homework and research the company. Very few candidates do this, so if you are one of them you’ll immediately set yourself apart. Research the industry and, at the very minimum, read every page of their website to learn more about clients, services, structure and competitors. Read the company newsletter to find out what their latest projects are. Search online via websites like LinkedIn or Google to learn the background of the people you’ll be meeting.

2. Show that you’re a good match for the job and organization. Tell the interviewer how you see yourself fitting into the company and what value you’ll be able to add quickly. Show that you’re a team member who’s willing to go that extra mile, and that you’re not just in the job until something better comes along. Strong commitment and a positive attitude can often go further than actual skill — as long as you’re teachable, open to feedback and quick to learn.

3. Don’t be late. Allow yourself enough time to get lost or delayed in traffic. Make a dry run the day before so you know exactly where you’re going, the best way to get there, and where to park. Have the phone number of the interviewer with you so if you’re unavoidably delayed you can call and see if you should still come or if another time would be better.

4. Don’t be early. If you’re really early, find a place to freshen up a little bit and wait until your appointment. You can present yourself 5 - 10 minutes before your interview time, but no earlier. The interviewer is on a schedule and doesn’t want to see you until the appointment time.

5. Practice the basics. You know you’re going to be asked the following: “Tell me about yourself”; “What are some of your weaknesses?”; “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager”; “Why do you want to work for XYZ Corp?”, so have well-crafted, concise, intelligent and creative responses ready.

Whilst these may seem basic steps for some surprisingly the number of interview candidates that do not prepare properly is alarmingly high. 

So make sure having got as far the interview you utilse the opportunity....and put yourself in the most advantagous position.