I’ve interviewed hundreds of people and unfortunately they seldom put across the 4 things every employer wants to hear.
Trust me, every question an employer asks is designed to determine 4 things about you.
1. Are you SKILLED enough to do the job?
2. Can you perform when OBSTACLES appear?
3. Do you cultivate positive RELATIONSHIPS with stakeholders?
4. Are you RESULTS focused?
Communicate these 4 things in your next interview and you will get hired!
1. Skilled – Research the skills of the job you are seeking and be sure to study some clear talking points about those skills. Before everything else an employer wants to know you can “do” the job. Have some examples ready about the work you have already done related to the tasks of the job.
2. Obstacles – One of the biggest complaints of staff members is that “they don’t have the resources to do the job.” So, guess what one of the biggest complaints of employers is just the opposite, “staff members can’t problem-solve or handle challenges when they lack resources.” Employers want to hear that you can perform when obstacles appear and that you even enjoy the challenge. Have a story ready to share that shows this!
3. Relationships- Our work place is very different today than it was just 10 years ago. Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and the Millenials all have different working styles but they are responsible for delivering results together. Employers are looking for people who can bridge these differences and work together.
4. Results– At the end of the day employers want results. They want to know you are committed to their vision and to delivering results. If your interview answers don’t convey results you’ve delivered in the past then forget it. Employers aren’t hiring you to teach you how to do the job. Your salary is being paid to deliver results. Don’t forget this.
Things to REMEMBER:
Every interview question is aimed at understanding these four things so practice putting together answers that demonstrate your strength in these areas! Use stories to express this. It’s best to memorise a couple of stories about each area so you are ready to answer whenever you need them.
Good luck!!
