Job Interviews Dont Just Tell Sell!

Job Interviews Dont Just Tell â€" Sell! TweetMany job seekers miss the boat in job interviews, because they forget that the purpose of answering every question is to market themselves for the job. You never forget that, right? Youd be amazed how many questions you may answering is a less-than-strategic way. Most job seekers, at least occasionally, answer interview questions as if they were filling in a form: providing information by rote. Lets look at an example. Question: What are the three most important skills for a human resources generalist role like this one? Answer: Organization, communication and interpersonal skills like empathy and diplomacy are absolutely critical. Okay, that answer shows you have some understanding of the role youre interviewing for. But do you have those skills? Thats the part where you sell yourself! Better Answer: Organization is really important. I couldnt have handled my role at BCD Co. as well as I did as you saw in my LinkedIn recommendations if I hadnt been very methodical and organized. For example, I developed a system to track resolution of issues with our new EFG procedures. My manager often said things like I love it that youre so systematic. Then theres interpersonal skills like empathy and diplomacy, which may be even more important. For example, we had a conflict between two employees who Is this too long? It may look long on paper, but if you take an organized approach to your answer including relevant key points without rambling it would probably take about one minute. A concise but complete answer can take some preparation, but this is a common question so you would be likely to have it on your interview questions list. Lets look at another example. Question: What do you know about our company? Of course if youve looked at the companys website you can clearly explain the companys products, market niche, and so on. But how can you go beyond just answering the question to really sell yourself with your answer? Here are some examples that might work, depending on your situation. Dig deeper. Read news articles. Talk to people. (If youre really savvy and interested, you may have put this company on your target companies list and youve been following them for quite a while. Say so, and demonstrate your knowledge.) Offer ideas for new approaches, solutions or products. Be humble, but show that youre already thinking about how you can add value. Tell what attracts you about the company. Dont wait for them to ask Why do you want to work with us? Bring your enthusiasm for their company into the whole interview. Point out how your skills or interests relate to the company, e.g., they sell outdoor equipment and youre an avid backpacker. Using every question and answer to sell yourself in a job interview will give you a much better chance of getting the offer. Job Interviews Dont Just Tell â€" Sell! TweetMany job seekers miss the boat in job interviews, because they forget that the purpose of answering every question is to market themselves for the job. You never forget that, right? Youd be amazed how many questions you may answering is a less-than-strategic way. Most job seekers, at least occasionally, answer interview questions as if they were filling in a form: providing information by rote. Lets look at an example. Question: What are the three most important skills for a human resources generalist role like this one? Answer: Organization, communication and interpersonal skills like empathy and diplomacy are absolutely critical. Okay, that answer shows you have some understanding of the role youre interviewing for. But do you have those skills? Thats the part where you sell yourself! Better Answer: Organization is really important. I couldnt have handled my role at BCD Co. as well as I did as you saw in my LinkedIn recommendations if I hadnt been very methodical and organized. For example, I developed a system to track resolution of issues with our new EFG procedures. My manager often said things like I love it that youre so systematic. Then theres interpersonal skills like empathy and diplomacy, which may be even more important. For example, we had a conflict between two employees who Is this too long? It may look long on paper, but if you take an organized approach to your answer including relevant key points without rambling it would probably take about one minute. A concise but complete answer can take some preparation, but this is a common question so you would be likely to have it on your interview questions list. Lets look at another example. Question: What do you know about our company? Of course if youve looked at the companys website you can clearly explain the companys products, market niche, and so on. But how can you go beyond just answering the question to really sell yourself with your answer? Here are some examples that might work, depending on your situation. Dig deeper. Read news articles. Talk to people. (If youre really savvy and interested, you may have put this company on your target companies list and youve been following them for quite a while. Say so, and demonstrate your knowledge.) Offer ideas for new approaches, solutions or products. Be humble, but show that youre already thinking about how you can add value. Tell what attracts you about the company. Dont wait for them to ask Why do you want to work with us? Bring your enthusiasm for their company into the whole interview. Point out how your skills or interests relate to the company, e.g., they sell outdoor equipment and youre an avid backpacker. Using every question and answer to sell yourself in a job interview will give you a much better chance of getting the offer.