Personal Chemistry: Are you finding that your interviews are not landing you jobs where you have solid qualifications? Could it be that you are not developing personal chemistry with the hiring managers?

Chemistry over Qualifications

For some hiring managers, the chemistry they feel with the applicant influences their hiring decisions as much the applicant’s skills, experience, and education.  Think about it.  The interviewer has read your resume.  They know to a large degree that you are qualified for the job.  That’s why they are interviewing you.  What they are measuring, perhaps subconsciously, whether you have the chemistry to fit within the company. If they don’t like you, they won’t hire you.

I have heard more than one hiring manager say that they have made their decision within the first five minutes.  They spend the rest of the time confirming their decision.

So, what can happen in the first five minutes of a job interview? The hiring manager gets a gut feeling about whether they like you.

Elements of an Interview

During the interview, hiring managers do—or at least they should—confirm these four things.

1. 1. The accuracy of the details in your resume
   2. Whether you can successfully apply your skills to the job you are seeking
   3. Your interests in the job and whether the job is a fit for you
   4. Your reliability and your potential

Personal Feelings Matter

But throughout the interview, the hiring manager is becoming more comfortable or less comfortable about you as a person.  Their emotions are telling them whether they want you in their company.

Furthermore, during an hour of interviewing, the hiring manager is measuring your chemistry against the chemistry of other people they have interviewed. Subconsciously, their emotions guide them to overlook which candidates have the best qualifications. They are deciding which qualified candidates the like the best.

How to Develop Personal Chemistry

Therefore, make every effort into making a great first impression.  When you meet the interviewers, smile.  Give them a firm handshake.  Listen to what interviewers are saying.  Especially, listen closely to what the interviewer is asking you to discuss. Nothing is more annoying or frustrating to an interviewing than the feeling that you are not answering their questions.

State your interest in the job. Show an interest in the interviewer and in the hiring company.  Use open gestures.  Sit up straight and comfortably.  Show the interviewer you have prepared for the interview by talking about the things that interest you about the company.  Have a meaningful list of questions and ask these questions as the interview progresses.

A little preparation, along with a few positive gestures and statements, can prepare you to develop the personal chemistry that will land you the job offer.