Nickle LaMoreaux, IBM’s chief human resources officer, has helped hire thousands of candidates since joining the tech giant more than 20 years ago. While there’s no perfect interview, she remembers one candidate who came close — and it was through something as simple as sending a follow-up email. reflected with proof of his recent work.
As LaMoreaux recalls, she interviewed the nominee just before IBM released its annual earnings report. While the candidate was “articulated” and “well-prepared” for his meeting, the hiring committee was still considering several candidates in its search.
But hours after IBM’s report became public, the candidate sent a game-changing email.
“They sent me a note outlining their four key points about IBM from the report, from an outsider’s perspective, linking their past experiences and asking about the different technologies we were producing at the time,” she told CNBC Make It. “I was immediately impressed.”
The candidate got the job.
While you might not need to learn how to read an earnings report to land a job, LaMoreaux says all applicants can increase their chances of being hired by being proactive and sending examples of their work to the hiring manager after an interview.
It’s even more impactful when you can connect your work sample to a project the company is currently working on or a specific goal mentioned by the hiring manager.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing real work, whether it’s a detailed presentation you’ve prepared for a meeting or a link to your online portfolio,” she says. “It’s a substantial piece of evidence that can help prove you’re the best candidate for the job.”
Another way to make a good first impression in an interview: ask how the company aims to live up to its credo and how managers are working to improve certain aspects of the company.
“I love being asked questions that dig deep into our organization,” says LaMoreaux. “For example, a candidate once said to me, ‘You say IBM values transparency and diversity. Can you give me an example of how the company is working to achieve these goals?
You can also ask the interviewer if you can speak with two new hires “officially” about their onboarding experience. Such conversations will not only help you better assess the role and the company, but they demonstrate a keen interest — and willingness — to learn the ins and outs of the organization, LaMoreaux says.
Asking thoughtful questions and showing initiative, she adds, shows you’re “really engaged” during the interview and excited about the role – and brings you one step closer to getting a job offer. ‘use.
Check:
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