Your Dream Job is Around the Corner... Are You Ready?

An Article by Lynda Reeves, , BA, ACS, CRS

Graham Management Group

If you are getting ready for a most enticing interview opportunity, there are some very important things about yourself you must know - and be able to articulate in an assured and positive manner.

Whatever role you hold, from homemaker to corporate executive, you should always be prepared to portray yourself and your achievements clearly, concisely, and honestly. In every situation you have encountered, there are nuggets of benefits, learnings, and successes. Your challenge is to recall them and describe them in the most favourable light possible. If you carefully think through your answers to some of the more common questions and put them in writing, you will solidify your goals and develop a rehearsal script to prepare for your interview.

The answers you give must always reflect what you can offer to fill the needs of the company or companies you are targeting! If potential employers only hear “I…” “I…” “I…” and a laundry list of what you are looking for, you will be seen as self -serving. Whether in writing or in person, your responses have to demonstrate a genuine interest in the role you want and a belief that you are just the person to fill it best.

Your interviewer is likely to ask some of the following questions. Construct upbeat and honest answers and then practice them to deliver your responses smoothly.

1) Tell us about yourself.

 We usually hear this asked at the beginning of an interview. It is perhaps one of the toughest questions and the one that is most important if you hope to position yourself as a top contender for the role. What makes this difficult is that it is hard for many of us to brag. We’ve been brought up to be humble when talking about ourselves. Now is NOT the time to be shy! Prepare a short organized statement about yourself. Think about what you have to offer this employer. Discuss only the most important features that you need to promote. Also, highlight a bit of your personality. Consider the positive features you see in people that you admire. Chances are the things you like and respect in others are the very ones you possess. Are you: Friendly and outgoing? Easy to talk to? Precise, detailed, and organized? It is most important to set yourself apart from the others.

2) Why are you interested in a career move?

If you find yourself thinking, “because I hate my old job,” “to make more money ”or “I want better hours,” try to bring a more positive tone to the table. Never talk about what you want. Share what appeals to you about the new field in a positive manner. If you thoroughly dislike your current job, for instance, rather than focusing on that, discuss what you feel intrigues you about the job for which you are applying. Think about the challenges you would like to have in a new role and what you would you love to be able to do. Maybe it is something as simple as wanting more variety and working closely with other people instead of being isolated.

3) What would your current and past managers say about you?

Your response to the employer should always reflect a positive tone. Never speak poorly of past managers or bosses. Whether you are feeling on top of the world or slightly disheartened, the exercise of reflecting on the many good impressions you have made over time can be a most reaffirming one. Ask yourself: How have your bosses described you? What are some of the good things they mentioned informally or in writing? When have you received some accolades or have been acknowledged even in the smallest of ways? In your answer, include a strong example of what you have done to get the positive commendation.

4) How would your peers or customers describe you?

This is similar to number 3 above, although it may be harder to pinpoint. When managers put positive remarks in a performance evaluation, you have something to relate to; but fellow employees and clientele are less likely to have written flattering notes in appreciation of your actions. Recall some of the best experiences you have had with your peers and customers. Ask yourself: What did they say that helped you feel valued and appreciated? What did you do to prompt such a reaction from them? In relating this to the interviewer, indicate what they said and give a tangible example of what you did to garner their praise.

When preparing for your interview, list 10 accomplishments of which you are very proud. Ten you say? Ten!? Yes. In an average interview, you are likely to receive a number of questions and you will not want to repeat your replies.

You may easily be able to come up with three recent achievements. For example, you may recall the way you intervened the other day when two people appeared to be on the verge of fisticuffs. Or maybe you remember how your suggestion saved the company $10,000. Jot down a list. Then, flesh each item out with measurable descriptions. Include the actions you took and the benefit to your department or company.

If you are having difficulty recalling your successes, review your most recent résumé, job evaluation, or position description. Look for “thank you” notes, certificates of achievement, and similar acknowledgement that you may have received over your career and life. If you are a new graduate, get out your latest report card and look through your course descriptions. If you are returning to the workforce from a lengthy absence, contemplate any volunteer work you have done. By thinking through all your experiences, you’ll be surprised at how many more examples you can add!

This exercise is just one of many approaches you can take to ensuring a successful job interview. Whatever your preferred route to career success, you don’t have to do it alone! There are many career professionals available in Canada who can help you with marketing yourself to best advantage.

Graham Management Group is the leading national career consulting firm. We offer excellence and innovation in resume, interview, and career strategy. Our service is confidential and by appointment only. To obtain further information or to schedule an appointment, contact Graham Management Group at (905) 878-8768 or e-mail us at info@grahammanagement.com

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