|
|
|
|
5 Skills You MUST Convey In A Job Interview
|
|
Author: Nathan Newberger
Topic: Careers
Viewed: 73 time(s)
[ Not Rated Yet ]
|
This http://www.WorkTree.com
career article by Nathan Newberger gives you some great advice
on how to convey some very important skills during the interview
process.
No, it's not time to throw your resume in the trash and start a
"new age job search". But one thing that any job seeker must
understand is that the showcase of talents does not begin and
end with the resume. There are many "secret" abstract, often
called "soft", skills that employers keep an eye out for.
This article discusses the five key "secret skills" that
interviewers examine and how to demonstrate them in an interview
situation.
These five skills are:
1. Organizational 2. Critical Thinking 3. Communication 4.
Interpersonal 5. Multi-Tasking
1. ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS Unless you are applying for a job as a
mad scientist, organization is an essential skill for any job.
Employers can get sense of how an individual will handle large
workloads by how organized that person is during the interview.
Moreover, a person that makes a sincere effort to stay organized
is an employee that will take a job seriously and make a sincere
effort to get things done.
The best way to display these skills: Dress professionally and
neatly for an interview. Keep supplies or materials on hand if
you think they might be pertinent to the interview. This can go
beyond pen, paper, resumes, and business cards depending on the
position you apply for. Organize your thoughts before the
interview. Preparation for typical interview questions will
reflect a sense of general readiness. 2. CRITICAL THINKING
SKILLS Nobody wants a mindless drone for an employee. If they
did, they would buy a robot. Employers want people that can
think on their feet and respond. They are looking for people
that won't come crying with every little setback. They are
looking for problem solvers. Having critical thinking skills
means that you can come through in the clutch.
The best way to display these skills: Prior to the interview,
prepare of a list of anecdotes or previous jobs that required
critical thinking to solve a problem. When applicable, bring
these examples up in the interview. Talk your way through the
answers. Let the interviewer understand your train of thought
when responding to questions. This can also buy you a little
extra time if you are unsure of how to answer. 3. COMMUNICATION
SKILLS Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is the
number one fear in America, but making an impact requires these
skills. Unless you can communicate ideas to others effectively,
you may not come across as very confident. This is precisely why
so many employers ask for individuals with good communication
skills, often including public speaking.
The best way to display these skills: Practice speaking, or
answering interview questions in a mirror. This will get you
used to speaking aloud and let you see the things you may be
doing wrong. Practice interviews with another person, so you can
learn to keep cool when reacting to another person's comments.
Stay calm and ALWAYS MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. It's hard to disagree
with a confident person. Once you SEEM confident, you hold all
the cards. 4. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Along with being able to
communicate your own ideas well, you have to be receptive to
other ideas and work constructively with them. Companies need
versatile team players: people that will work hard on their own
and increase the depth and effectiveness of a group effort.
The best way to display these skills: As in the case of critical
thinking, it is a good idea to prepare a list of examples in
which you were part of a successful team effort. These items may
not be on your resume, but could come up in an interview. When
possible, reflect back on cases where you coordinated a team
effort. It is one thing to work well in a group, but it is even
better when you show that you can also lead and take charge of a
group. Don't be afraid to mention troubles within a team that
you had to overcome. A group of people will not agree on
everything 100% of the time. Being able to work through problems
and succeed is paramount. 5. MULTI-TASKING SKILLS Businesses are
always happy to drive down costs, and the best way to do this is
by hiring fewer individuals who can multi-task. It is often the
case that one efficient employee can do the work of two typical
employees. Employees are paid for the hours they work, and
employers want to get the most out of what they pay. An employee
that can complete multiple tasks at once is the solution.
The best way to display these skills: When discussing previous
positions held, include situations where you worked on multiple
tasks at the same time. Prepare a list of projects that required
you to separate tasks into clusters that could be addressed
simultaneously. Be ready to explain the thinking behind your
separation system. Show a willingness to take on many
responsibilities. Any worker can pick up one or two, but if you
can pick up more without getting spread to thin, you become a
valuable asset. CONCLUSION The resume will always be around and
serve as your primary means of communicating skills with a
prospective employer. But remember that you are more than just a
list of skills on a piece of paper. The interview lets the
employer see whats not easily determined from a resume and also
your chance to shine. Mastering the art of showcasing your
"secret skills" will let an interviewer know you are person they
need to hire.
This article can be read online and shared with others directly
at: http://www.worktree.com/newsletter/skills-to-convey-inte
rview.html
Sincerely, Nathan Newberger, Managing Editor
http://www.WorkTree.com "Helping You Find More Jobs Faster"
About the author:
Nathan Newberger is the job and career expert at http://www.WorkTree.com
Nathan has over 10 years experience in staffing and human
resources. He has worked both as a recruiter and career
counselor. Mr. Newberger has been the Managing Editor at http://www.WorkTree.com for
the past 5 years and his articles have helped thousands of job
seekers.
|
|
|
