The first level is pretty down to earth. It addresses typical job-related skills, such as learning certain software programs, or even achieving a certain level of professional accreditation. If you have an area on which you know you need work and have plans to improve on it, open up your response with that.
However, as pleased as an employer will be to hear about your ambitions to grow your practical skills, there is also the second level of improvement that runs much deeper. It addresses your capacity to plan, to think, to communicate and work well with other people. Early in a previous job, my boss, while being overall very complimentary, indicated two areas (or levels) of needed improvement. The first was learning to be a snappier dresser; the other was listening. The first problem was solved rather easily—but the second took a while longer.
Remember, the interpersonal skills are the ones that most employers value highly. If you have strong traits in this area and recognize that you must always grow, then any weakness you may possess in job skills will be of much less concern.
Closing Out the Interview
Believe it or not, you are also allowed to ask questions. If you are not invited to do so, politely ask. Indeed, your research may have revealed several questions that remain unanswered—questions that may or may not deal with the position for which you are applying.
In your questions, indicate your current understanding, which may be derived from previous research or your present conversation. Show ownership (it’s OUR problem, not YOUR problem) without coming off as being too presumptuous about being hired.
Most importantly, do not leave that interview until you have conveyed to the other person that you do indeed understand what their needs, challenges and objectives are. Reflect your understanding back to him, following up with “Is there anything I seem to be missing, from your point of view?” Give him the opportunity to help you learn more.
Further, if you really want the position and believe in your heart that it would be beneficial to all,
ask for the job, point-blank range. This also will make you stand out, because far too many people do NOT ask for the jobs for which they are applying. You do different. Ask first, and ask again.
And remember, it is your job in the interview to convince the employer that you can and will at least one of two things for them:
1. increase their revenues or
2. reduce their expenses
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The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter. |
