Recently I posted on LinkedIn (follow me here) about how terrified companies are to make the wrong hire.

It's true employers are scared and so they optimize for low-risk hires.

Low risk generally means they go with someone who has done the same job before.

That means you need to bring your A-game with every interview, especially if you are pivoting careers.

It's your job as a candidate to build trust and confidence with the hiring team that you'll be an amazing hire.

You need to do this at every single touchpoint with the company and throughout the whole interview process from beginning to end.

You might be wondering how the heck do I do that?

Below are a few examples of how you can signal that you are a competitive candidate and won't be on the market for very long.

Ways to signal you're a strong candidate

• When sending an intro email about yourself include this line:

"I'm speaking with a few other companies, I'd love to add X company to the mix."

• When following up about next steps in the interview add this if you have leverage:

  "I'm booking a few on-site interviews and wanted to keep you in the loop. I'd love to meet the Gyfted team as well. Do you know if there are any updates about scheduling the next steps?"

• When having the initial salary conversation phrase part of your answer like this:

  "I'm being considered for roles in the range of X and Y."

• When recruiters ask where you are in your interview process:

  “I'm actively interviewing and mostly in early to mid-stage conversations with other companies."

These may seem like inconsequential phrases but repeating them and building the confidence in the employer that you are the one comes from these small changes in how you present yourself.

Refining your narrative to be more impactful and position yourself as a high-value candidate.

It's important to learn how to make the company feel like you are the one for them in every conversation and interaction. Hone your story, delivery, and confidence.

That's the ☕️.