When you get to the interview stage, you want to focus on all your skills and what you offer that employer. Different employers have different needs, and you will have to sell each hiring manager on the abilities each company asks for. You become a salesperson the minute you walk into an interview.
According to “What Color Is Your Parachute?” a comprehensive job hunters instruction book, author Richard N. Bolles begins with a “two-minute crash course” in preparing for a job search. He explains that employers changed, job-hunters didn’t; many employers hold out for a mythical dream employee; the length of time of the average job-hunt has increased; the length of time of the average job has decreased; finding a job that pays a middle-class salary is more and more difficult; job-hunting is increasingly becoming a repetitive activity; job-hunting has moved more and more online since 2008; job-hunters and employers speak two different languages; and finally, employers hunt for job-seekers in a manner opposite to the way job-hunters hunt for employers.
If you get the interview, Bolles says there are only five questions that matter to employers: 1. “Why are you here? This translates to how much do you know about who we are and what we do. 2. “What can you do for us?” Here is where you tout your skills and all you can do for the company. 3. “What kind of person are you?” Companies want to know whether you will fit into the culture and whether you will be fun to work with or whether you will create problems. It boils down to personality. 4. “What distinguishes you from the others?” Sell your unique qualities. Many people have the same degree, but what you do with your abilities makes you different. 5. “Can we afford you?” If the company wants you, will you accept a salary that fits the budget?
Do your homework before you start your search and enjoy the luxury of being able to wait for the right job.
(Source: CREATORS)
