what are the most important qualities should an applicant display during an interview?

[skim milk]

I've heard many times that the applicant must sit up straight, make eye contact with the interviewer and exude confidence.

What else does it take to get the job?
I feel that my interviewing skills are weak. I get invited to the interview and the last thing that I hear is that "we are still interviewing other applicants so we will get back to you" I've learned to take this line as a sign of rejection.

If they want me for the interview, I am obviously competent for the job. However, my self consciousness or some awkward body language must throw the negative signs.

what are the most important qualities should an applicant display during an interview?

I feel that I can land the interviews, but I can't seal the deal

 

[neovan]

Is that line "we are still interviewing other applicants..." the rejection line or do they truthfully have to interview everyone before making a definitive choice?

 

[moskey71]

motivation, interest, people skills?

edit: appearance

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: neovan
Is that line "we are still interviewing other applicants..." the rejection line or do they truthfully have to interview everyone before making a definitive choice?

we are hireing for a new IT Manager and we have some VERY well deserving applicatians, but the HR lady said we are still interviewing, which is true.

 

[mordantmonkey]

appearance (dress well, clean shaven etc.), confidence(firm handshake, look them in the eye, yadda yadda), knowledge. in that order, though it should be the other way around.

 

[Jeeebus]

what job are you interviewing for?

In any regard, people skills/energy are a big plus. I can't tell you how many people I've interviewed that I wanted to get up and shake to see if they're alive.

Also, give me something we can talk about to kill dead silence. Something interesting you can throw on your resume... not how you played Doom II for 48 hours continuously. Maybe something like how you're an avid hiker, you like photography, you've watched every hometown NFL game for the last 10 years, etc. If I don't want to talk work, give me something I can switch to...

 

[DurocShark]

Personality fit.

If it's a loose office, and the candidate is uptight, you have trouble. Same with going the other way around.

 

[fitzov]

Unflinching loyalty to the company.