Business in the front, party in the back

‘I wish I could’ve said more about myself.’ – Anyone who applied for a job ever.

So you’ve landed that job interview, prepared yourself extensively, read up on the company, and still something’s missing. Odds are, it’s a personal touch. Many employers forget to ask about the person behind the work experience, which is a total shame.

Managers pay attention.

It’s no surprise someone’s personality and traits can make or break a career. Investing in personal dynamics can turn any boring workplace into an efficient, comfortable place that gets things done. Which is why it’s so important to make sure to get to know the person behind the work experience, starting at the job interview. Asking further about someone’s hobbies and ambitions will give you a deeper understanding of their personality. Not just getting to know your employees, but getting to know what makes them tick. Make sure the candidate isn’t just a fit with the job, but also with the company and its employees. You don’t need to be the office psychologist, but developing your people skills certainly pays off.

Start off casual

Discussing topics where the answers come naturally makes people at ease. This gives a closer look at what someone’s normally like. For example, you can start by asking about their weekend, their hobbies, maybe even ask what kind of music they like. Using small talk to make people feel comfortable during a job interview pays off in the end, as you might miss out on the perfect employee, just because of their nerves. This is why you want to start off casual, to lower the stress-levels in the room.

The perfect fit

The danger of asking mainly work-based questions is getting to hear only the answers you want to hear. Hiring someone who works just to get paid as much as possible, might work in a financial setting, but if you’re looking for creative minds you need a totally different person. People tend to behave differently during job interviews, so making sure what kind of person you’re dealing with can be crucial. Seeing how people react to questions about themselves gives you an insight to their behaviour other questions don’t provide. You can read a lot from someone’s enthusiasm or the lack thereof. It’s up to you to decide whether you need someone who radiates passion for the job, or someone who might be a better fit for the team.

Take the leash off

Knowing your boss knows what you’re all about will definitely give you some peace of mind, so don’t hesitate to tell about yourself. Unleashing your personality can prevent awkward silences, body language disasters, and give you a head start on the competition. Staying professional is important, but a little bit of personality never hurt anyone.