They say knowledge is power. So why not arm yourself with some relevant and job interview statistics before heading into the interview? Knowing how to act, what to wear and what the interviewer is thinking allows you to be poised and prepared.
Whether you want to wow the company during a video interview or you’re scheduled for an in-person meeting, being knowledgeable about the interview process is a must. The job interview facts below are here to give you the insights you need.
Job Interview Statistics That You Should Know
Moving through the interview process does not have to be confusing and stressful. These job interview facts will give you some background information about what hiring managers are looking for.
Truth #1: Your Social Media Presence Matters
Statistic: Seven in ten employers use social networking sites to research job candidates during the hiring process, according to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey.
Your Interview Strategy: Your social media accounts should be a positive reflection of you and your interests. Prior to your interview, perform an audit of all of your social media accounts. Think about the values of the company and whether each post, tweet or image you share would conflict with that. Evaluating your social media before the hiring manager does gives you a chance to put your best foot forward in the digital world.
Truth #2: Your Attire Impacts First Impressions
Statistic: A survey of over 1000 professionals found that 95% of interviewers evaluate a candidate’s appearance during an interview to determine their level of professionalism.
Your Interview Strategy: It’s important to dress for success and be well groomed for the interview. Companies are in search of candidates that will mesh well with company culture and environment. For example, if you are interviewing at a law firm, it may be best to dress in business professional attire. However, if you are interviewing for a barista position, it might be considered appropriate to wear business casual clothing to your job interview. Understanding the job dynamics will help you navigate what’s best to wear for a job interview.
Truth #3: Your Interview Is A Sales Pitch On Why You Should Get the Job
Statistic: After resume sorting and other screening practices, only 2% of candidates for an open job position will receive an interview.
Your Interview Strategy: While some managers call it a conversation or a chance to get to know each other, make no mistake that this is a time to showcase why you are the best choice. Don’t be shy about relevant accomplishments. When discussing them, utilize the S.T.A.R. method. Here’s how:
Situation: Tell your employer about the situation you were in.
Task: Explain in detail what you had to do.
Action: Describe the exact actions you took based on the situation at hand.
Result: Be specific on the result and outcome that came from the action you had to take.
This format completely addresses the accomplishment and prevents you from rambling on about unnecessary points. You can practice answering common interview questions on your own to get more comfortable before the big day.
Truth #4: Your Resume Can Make or Break Your Interview Prospects
Statistic: A whopping 50% of job applications are never shown to the hiring manager due to talent management software discarding them before human evaluation, according to TheCircularBoard.
Your Interview Strategy: Talent management software makes employer’s jobs easier by sifting through hundreds of applications to find the top applicants. Having a stellar resume rather than a cookie-cutter one is essential. Be sure to tailor your resume to each specific job and incorporate words and phrases from the job description into it. Since you have limited space, include the most relevant work experience along with descriptions that align with what the company is seeking.
Truth #5: Non-verbal Communication Speaks Volumes
Statistic: Facial expressions have an impact on hiring decisions. In fact, a reported 40% of employers will reject a job candidate for not smiling.
Your Interview Strategy: Many candidates get so focused on presenting their best qualifications that they neglect an essential aspect of the interview—connecting with the hiring manager. A warm smile makes you appear welcoming and shows your enthusiasm about the opportunity.
Practice knowing when it is appropriate to smile and when you should make eye contact during an interview. If an employer is asking you a serious question, try leaving your face neutral to ensure that you are not coming across as unprofessional. Never underestimate the power of a smile in an interview.
Myths About The Job Interview Process
We hope the job interview facts and strategies above will guide you in your preparation. Now, let’s dispel some myths about interviewing.
Myth #1: If I Am Over Qualified, I Won’t Land The Job
Statistic: 65% of employers look for candidates who have relevant work experience, according to Zesty.
Your Interview Strategy: Apply for jobs in which you have relevant experience. Internships are a great way to add relevant experience to your resume. This will allow you to stand out amongst the competition and potentially land you the job.
Myth #2: The Interview Process Will Be Quick and Simple
Statistic: In 2019, the average interview process length in the US was 27.5 days.
Your Interview Strategy: Set realistic expectations about the interview process timeline. Anticipate moving through multiple interviews with different managers at the company. At the end of an interview, when the hiring manager asks if you have any questions, feel free to ask about when you can expect to hear back from the team.
Myth #3: Thank You Notes are Outdated
Statistic: A survey of recruiters and managers found that 68% expect applicants to send a thank-you note post-interview.
Your Interview Strategy: Send a thank you email or letter to the person who interviewed you within 24 hours of the meeting. This will help you stand out from the crowd and make it clear that you value the interviewer’s time. If you need a little help with this, here are examples of thank you letters.
Myth #4: Preparing with Some Practice Questions is Enough
Statistic: 88% of hiring decision makers believe “an informed candidate is a quality candidate.” Being prepared for the interview and understanding the role are two key qualities in informed candidates.
Your Interview Strategy: Prepping for an interview means practicing non-verbal communication, having your resume prepped, knowing the company and more. It’s not enough to just prepare with common interview questions.
To stand out, you need to practice in a way that gives you a competitive edge. InterviewFocus is an interview preparation platform that boosts candidate’s interview skills for amazing results. With state-of-the-art technology and an easy-to-use system that provides valuable coaching and feedback, InterviewFocus can increase the chances of you landing your dream job.
Myth #5: My Email Address Doesn’t Matter
Statistic: Three out of every four recruiters throw away resumes from candidates that use unprofessional emails.
Your Interview Strategy: Having an unprofessional email address can truly hurt your chances of landing a good job. Use an email address that showcases your name instead of attributes about you. A simple and straightforward email is your best bet. Refrain from using nicknames, unprofessional adjectives, long lists of numbers or anything else that distracts from you and your application.
Ace Your Interviews with InterviewFocus
You know the job interview truths and myths. Now it’s time to get ready for the upcoming interview. There’s no better place to prep than at Interview Focus. The platform uses AI technology to help you improve your eye contact, head engagement, speaking rate, filler word count, smile frequency, tone of voice and more.
Ready to land your dream job? Practice for your next interview at InterviewFocus.
