People Excellence: Empower. Excel. Elevate.

In my last assignment, I was leading a remediation work for a large medical device company. As I was building the team, I probably interviewed more than 100 candidates. And one thing I learned through that experience is this:Getting selected for a role is not always about whether you are qualified for the assignment. Most hiring managers come into an interview with a set of expectations for the assignment. They are listening for certain experiences, examples, and key words that reassure them that you understand the challenge ahead. When those key words are not communicated clearly, they  move to the next candidate.But I have to tell you, the people I ended up hiring were not always the ones with the perfect resume nor the perfect answers.

They were the ones I connected with on a personal level. They were the ones who showed me they understood what I was looking for. They were the ones willing to take a leap of faith and step into something uncomfortable under a high pressure, even if they did not know every detail of how they were going to do it.

So let me leave you with what I believe is the recipe for getting attention during an interview:

1. Connect at a personal level.We are human beings. Don't try to perform. Don't try to be someone you're not. Just be yourself.

2. Understand the company's need.Focus on what problem they are trying to solve and how you can help. What value can you bring? What can you contribute? Approach the conversation with a heart of service, not just with the goal of getting a job.

3. Be honest and willing to learn.You do not need to have all the answers. What matters is your willingness to learn, adapt, and figure things out. Most organizations do not have time to teach you, but you are to teach yourself, take ownership, and create value.

At the end of the day, it is not just about getting a job. It is about what you can do for the company. It is about your willingness to learn, even when you have never done it before. And most importantly, it is about your ability to connect with people as a human being. That is called emotional intelligence! And to be honest, the candidates I chose to hire were the ones who demonstrated those qualities.