Who is that 'Ideal' Candidate? Do you realize that opportunities are everywhere? It is how you approach them that is very important. You just never know who you might run into or meet on you way to the shops. So, it pays to be prepared for every opportunity.
Be courteous to everyone you meet. No matter where and when you meet people, remember they are your opportunities. They may refer you to someone and your new opportunity arrives before you even realize it!
To prepare yourself for any opportunity, you must have a strategy. It should be a winning strategy. You are competing against so many competitors out there. Some of them even have better connections or network than you. That is why you need to be prepared.
You will realize that every hiring manager would ask himself this question, "Why should I hire this candidate?" There are so many qualified applicants for a job vacancy that it is very difficult to choose, but why you? What makes you so unique?
When hiring managers decide to hire certain people, they look at their personalities, competitiveness, drives as well as spirits. Some candidates have less experience but they fit into the personality needed, and so they are hired. Always remember that having good personality and drive can prevail over experience. You can gather experience while on the job, but not personality.
What are the characteristics of a winning candidate?
• Confident - This is an important trait. To convince others about you, you have to have confidence in yourself. Confidence instills excitement. When you are confident, you will feel excited and people can see the enthusiasm you are exuding.
• Organized - Plan before you go to any interview or appointment. Think and jot some questions you would like to ask the interviewers. It is all right to read your questions from notes. Be sure to dress well for the occasion, but do not overdress. If you have prepared, you can articulate your goals and objectives well. Make sure you bring along supporting materials such as your original documents, letter of references, project portfolios and so on.
• Personable - All right, you are not as handsome as the next candidate or as pretty as the last one. However, you can still attract any interviewer by a smile. A smile can change everything. You can create a friendly environment when you smile. Your smile can make you look confident in front of your interviewer(s).
• Conscientious - Remember that all hiring managers prefer hard-working employees. They like flexible workers who can stay late to finish their work, if need to. They like their employees to give 100 percent or more attention to the job. Do not tell the hiring managers that you prefer a 9 to 5 job and only work on weekdays! You have competitors who are willing to work longer and during the weekends too. So, be careful with what you say.
• Creative - You must be able to think on your own and dream up some creative methods to accomplish your objectives. You must be able to think above and beyond the creativity of others; think out of the box. Being creative differentiate you from you closest competitors. Think of ways you can add value to the position.
• Goal-oriented - Set goals for yourself. A smart hiring manager may ask you this question, "Where do you see yourself in five years' time?" or "What are your career aspirations?" If you have set goals for yourself, these questions will not be difficult to answer. If you have not, do so now. It is easier to set some goals now than in the spur of the moment during the interview. Set simple goals concerning your career and your life.
• Problem solving - Companies like problem-solving employees as well as contributing minds. When you are able to solve problems and demonstrated your ability to do so, you have a better edge in your interviews.
To be an ideal candidate for any opportunity, you have to be prepared. Our next discussion will be on how to prepare yourself for any occasion.
This intel first appeared on: http://hubpages.com/_1piz1md3kvu7e/hub/Are-You-an-Ideal-Candidate-F...
