This article is written from the
perspective of a Human Resources (HR) person or Hiring Manager. Some
job seekers may not like to hear a blunt analysis, but they need to
understand the undercurrents beneath their job search.
The goal, stated or not, of an HR
person is to answer three basic questions 1. Can this applicant do
the job? 2. Are they a good fit socially/culturally? 3. Is my hiring
recommendation justifiable in the event they turn out to be a
horrible mistake? Further, these three question can then condense to
the most important one-What can this candidate do for ME (and/or the
Company)?
From that perspective, please
re-examine these common interview questions:
- What did you like/dislike about your last job?
- What do you find rewarding about your current job?
- What do you expect from a Supervisor?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Please describe your greatest accomplishment?
- Can you tell me about a time when you failed at a goal?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses?
When you change your perspective, you
can begin to get a sense of how to present your answers.
A 'Notable Accomplishments' page
(http://thejobsguy.blogspot.com/2012/03/using-notable-accomplishments-to-get.html
) helps you to organize and list your strengths.
Further, to present your case strongly,
you have to know what that HR person needs. I recommend that you
Imagine, Research, and Ask. Put yourself in the HR person's shoes.
What do YOU imagine they need? Research the company. Carefully read
their job posting, web page, or talk with an acquaintance who works
there. Which leaves Ask. Job interviews are bi-directional. You
get a chance to simply ask 'What does your ideal candidate look
like?'
This can also be thought of as a sales
process at this point. You have qualified your customer, and
presented your product in relation to their needs. That is the
central point of this discussion. See the perspective of the HR
person, and always be answering “What can this person do for me?”
Good luck and best wishes
Chris
Links to my work, “Beyond a Career
Crisis”:
Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
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