The Right Words To Get The Job You Want

Posted by in Career Advice


Are you looking for the right words to show your credentials and enthusiasm on a job interview? A job interview is a screening tool. Employers want to know if you will fit in. They are assessing whether they like you and if you are a good match for the position. The key to conveying that you are the ideal candidate is by doing your homework, going in, and then giving it your all. Leave your doubts at the door and focus on what the employer wants. That’s when you will be able to successfully explain why you are perfect for the job. So How Do You Find And Use The Right Words To Get The Job You Want? Follow These Five Steps Below: I. Prepare Before You Go Don’t expect to wing it on an interview. Prospective employers expect you to be prepared. Exceed their expectations. Find out everything you can before your interview begins. Start with the company’s website. Look for its history, its mission, annual reports,links to news stories and press releases. To research further, search engines provide a wealth of information. Newspapers and business journals will provide additional insight. Go to the library and ask for help - librarians usually know where the good resources are. You cannot over prepare. Prepare to the point where you are confident that you know about the company and what they offer to the world. II. Showcase Your Abilities Quickly When You Are There Stories are the best way to show how you have produced results for previous employers because they produce a visual description in the interviewer’s mind. If they can see what you’ve done, then they are more apt to want you to do the same thing for them too. Before you begin your story, ask questions to uncover an employers needs such as, “What is the biggest problem you are facing now?” Acknowledge the problem and tell the interviewer how you have overcome something similar. Go into the problem you were facing, the action you took to solve the problem, and the results you produced. Be concise and brief. You don’t want to lose the interest of your listener. Trust that if an interviewer needs more information, they will ask. III. Keep The Conversation Flowing Sometimes, prospective employers will not know what to say to you. Maybe they haven’t had much experience with interviews. Maybe they are distracted. Yet, they have a big say in whether you are hired or not. If you are faced with this situation, go on the offensive, and take control of the interview. Turn the interview around and ask the interviewer about themselves. What do they like or dislike about their position? What skills do they need to make their life easier? Get the conversation flowing. Once you get the interviewer talking, the interview process will be easier and more productive. IV. Ask The Right Questions Part of the interview is YOUR assessment of the company and the position. Just as the interviewer is assessing you, you are doing the same. Learn enough to determine if the job and company is a match for you. Questions are your pathway to information about the environment and the culture. Here are a few of those questions: 1. What are the specific duties I will be responsible for? 2. What challenges might I encounter if I take this job? 3. What would a typical day be like for the successful candidate? 4. How would you describe your management style? 5. What are the organization’s plans for the next 5 years? 6. Describe your ideal candidate. How do I measure up against that picture? Think about the answers you receive after the interview. Is this job right for you? This is important for you to determine. Don’t stop listening to yourself or your gut just because you need the job or the money or want the company on your resume. If you make choices in your career that go against who you are as a person and what’s important to you, these choices will come back and bite you later on. V. Follow-Up It’s acceptable to ask a potential employer if you can follow-up with them and when would be an appropriate time for doing so. It shows that you care about the position and about working there. Create a follow-up plan. Write the date and time for your next contact with the employer. Be sure you follow through. Your attitude and actions, from the time you first learn about an opportunity, until you get it, sets the tone for the type of individual you are, and what others can expect from you. So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!
Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

  • Cedanio Bacon
    Cedanio Bacon
    I will definitely put these tips to work in my next upcoming interview. This will help me personally as I prepare for my career and future!
  • Andria L.
    Andria L.
    I would like to be able to ask some interview questions that I normally write down before I interview with the employer.  Who can I speak with regarding this situation?
  • Elizabeth Q.
    Elizabeth Q.
    Thank you Deborah for such good information on questions on job interviews it has made me more prepare for one I have on Monday.  
  • Tom S.
    Tom S.
    Interesting read. Never thought of an interview as a "tool" (I always thought of it as sort of a weeding-out process on the employer side), but it makes total sense!
  • Ciro B.
    Ciro B.
    There was a considerable amount of knowledge you presented for having a great interview. It was very helpful to have an understanding of what to expect; prepare, job description, abilities to perform the job, follow-up. Thank you much!
  • irfan a.
    irfan a.
    I have found that interviewers are in a hurry and don't want to hear your stories and only want you to answer their questions. I haven't found it conversational especially in my field of interest. The interviewers are dry and don't want to hear anything beyond what they ask...and that sucks!!
  • K
    K
    Excellent article. And so true. Thank you. All the best!
  • Jonina K.
    Jonina K.
    Thank you Debra I appreciate the interview tips. I will definetly put these tips to work in my next upcoming interview!!!
  • Gabrielle C.
    Gabrielle C.
    Thank you for the wonderful tips. I will feel comfortable and knowledgeable for my next interview.
  • Johnson M.
    Johnson M.
    This excellent stuff. truly a new year gift for one to broaden the frontiers of knowledge and skill at interviews. This will help me personally and as I prepare HR Mgt and Organizational Behaviour students at Diploma Level.
  • Cathy M.
    Cathy M.
    Thank you for giving me questions to ask on my interview on tomorrow 1/19/11. I feel more prepared now. Thanks again for your help.
  • Theophilus B.
    Theophilus B.
    I VERY HAPPY ,I AM MULTI-SKILLE OPERATOR I CAN NOW OPERATE = CAT 16H MOTOR GRADER,OFF-WAY DUMP TRUCK,AND-CAT D9,10R,T TRACK DOZER .I AM NOW WORKING AT GOLDFIELDS GHANA LTD,TARKWA MINE SITE, AND I WORK FOR YOU AND YOU BE HAPPYTHANK YOU FOR GIVING ME JOB.....THANKS
  • Juan S.
    Juan S.
    Thanks for this information, it really helped me with my preparations.
  • Jaime P.
    Jaime P.
    Ask them what keeps them excited about waking up each day and looking forward in the job they have.  Be confident with attitude, and keep it's not what you are going to do for them, it's what can they provide for you. They need you not, the other way around.  They don't advertise job listings for nothing, they did it because they need help, don't for get! They need you, attitude!!
  • Carlisa B.
    Carlisa B.
    I have found that interveiwers are in a hurry and don't want to hear your stories and only want you to answer their questions. I haven't found it conversational especially in my field of interest. The interviewers are dry and don't want to hear anything beyond what they ask...and that sucks!!
  • LORRAINE
    LORRAINE
    THANK YOU KATHY,  FOR THOSE WONDERFUL DETAIL TIPS, I WILL SURELY PUT THEM TO USE ON MY NEXT INTERVIEW.... THANKS AGAIN!
  • Diane B.
    Diane B.
    I have a group interview on the 25th at a very up scale retirement home. What should I know about group interviews to make me comforatable
  • Marlita F.
    Marlita F.
    thank you so much for the tips though its short but i learn ang help a lot
  • DeBorah Pryor
    DeBorah Pryor
    Good article. Thanks a lot!!--DeBorah
  • Bonifacio Santos
    Bonifacio Santos
    Thank you so much for the tips, it will really be useful for my upcoming interview...
  • Kris Hudson
    Kris Hudson
    Any information you can provide is most helpful when seeking employment.The interview has to flow and both the interviewer and the job seeker almost have to click right from the get go. We only have 1 chance to make a good impression. The applicant must make the absolute best of it. Thanks again. Kris
  • Brenda Garner
    Brenda Garner
    The information was enlightening I gained a lot of insight and will utilize the tools I have learned.Thanks a lot!
  • Mildred
    Mildred
    Thanks a lot for these wonderful interviewing tips. I'll put them in practice in my next interview.
  • Marg Strein
    Marg Strein
    I have followed the format and tips that you mentioned above. As of yet I haven't landed the job. But, I know when I am in the interview, prepared, and ask these questions the interviewers know that I am savvy and on target. It as been helpful. Lately I haven't been on any interviews or with the right companies. But, I am not giving up on finding that right fit career/job.
  • Cassandra Olumese
    Cassandra Olumese
    thanks a lot this has really removed all my pre-interview jitters.
  • You Might Also Be Interested In

news via Fast Company - co-design in Design

Jobs to Watch