At the 10 Minute mark of an interview, I look for these “BEST” attributes
Over the course of a professional career, people become more discerning around the attributes to look for in current and future employees. How someone presents on first impression is all-important as it sets the base platform of a relationship. So, what are some key attributes to look for to assess a person’s character?
What follows are what I look for in any person I interview and are identifiable within the first 10-minutes of meeting. These are the BEST Qualities:
B:
Body Language:
How a person walks, the posture they assume, and the energy they give off are all visual clues on how a person views the world.
- Are they confident, shy, unassuming, flamboyant, reserved, distracted, nervous, engaged, or energised?
Balance: (Personal)
How a person navigates their Front Yard (careers) with their Back Yard (Personal Life) is a good way to learn their values.
- Do they have interests outside work?
- How aware are they of the world around them?
- Do they share anything about themselves or their family?
- Is everything just about them and their career?
- What is their small talk?
E:
Eye Contact:
Making eye contact is an important part of actively listening and showing respect, so it is important to notice where their eyes look.
- Where do their eyes focus?
- How do their eyes react to the questions asked and subsequent conversation?
Energy:
Your energy always precedes you. You only have one opportunity for a first impression, and the first thing anyone notices is a person’s energy.
Enthusiasm:
Do they have a positive outlook on life?
- Are they enthused about opportunities?
- Are they keen to value-add and make a difference?
- Have they taken the time to learn a bit about you and why you are talking to them?
- Are they happy?
S:
Smile:
Are they warm, empathetic and interested with a natural smile?
- Do they have a polite, natural approach when they meet and greet you?
- Do they laugh?
Style:
Their dress sense, grooming, language used, and image they portray reflects their character and Personal Brand.
- What is their personal style?
Self-Aware:
How self-aware are they of their presence and the people they are talking to?
- Is it all about them, or are they inclusive?
- Is their language “I” or “We”?
- Do they pick up the verbal and non-verbal cues of their audience?
Story Tell:
What is their ability to tell their authentic story?
- Do they hide behind all the brands and titles they have worked for?
- Do they describe achievements, milestones, learnings, and life moments?
T:
Talk:
Can they talk naturally, freely, and consistently in keeping with the audience they are in?
- How do they adapt the conversation to appropriately engage with their audience?
- Can they hold a conversation, or do you need to extract information from them?
Team:
Are they team or individual orientated?
- Can they demonstrate how they fit into teams and what value they bring?
- What teams (formal and informal) are they currently a member of?
- What is their approach to team dynamics?
