Reviewed 11/09
By CareerBuilder.com
To ace the interview you need to know how the interviewer thinks. In his book 'Knock 'em Dead: The Ultimate Job Seeker's Guide,' author and job-hunting guru Martin Yate examines the interview from the employer's perspective and shares the five secrets to getting hired.
Secret 1: Ability and Suitability
The first secret is to show the interviewer you have both ability and suitability. Every working professional has a combination of skills that broadly define his or her ability and suitability. For example, a good computer programmer working in a bank has both technical and professional skills; that is, the ability to program a computer as well as knowledge of how to get things done in the banking industry and the capacity to work well with bankers.
Yate suggests you itemize your technical/professional skills as they parallel the requirements of the job. Then recall an incident to illustrate each of those skills. If applying for a job in an industry with which you're familiar, consider highlighting your industry sensibilities by describing how you've successfully collaborated and accomplished goals with other industry professionals.
Secret 2: Willingness
The second secret is not to flip out if your interviewer asks if you're willing to make coffee or take out the trash -- especially if you're looking for a job in a small office. More and more potential employers are using these questions to gauge whether you are the kind of person who is prepared to do whatever it takes to help the team.
Think of a time when you went the extra mile and how your doing so helped the company. Then rehearse the story until you can tell it in 90 seconds.
Secret 3: Manageability and Teamwork
Avoiding a nightmare employee is a major concern for managers who develop, over time, a remarkable sixth sense when it comes to spotting and weeding out mavericks and prima donnas.
Being 'manageable' and a team player means that you can work independently as well as with others and can take direction and criticism. Also crucial is the ability to work and get along with a diverse workforce in terms of sex, age, religion, race, politics, abilities/disabilities or national origin.
Make sure you demonstrate with words and actions that you are someone who gets along well with people and has no problem tolerating differing opinions or beliefs. Don't bring up religious, political or racial matters during the job interview.
Secret 4: Professional Behavior
Yate says there are a number of universally admired behavioral traits common to successful people in all fields. They are:
- Drive;
- Motivation;
- Communication skills;
- Team chemistry;
- Energy;
- Determination;
- Confidence;
- Reliability;
- Honesty/integrity;
- Pride;
- Dedication;
- Analytical skills;
- Listening skills;
- Goal-orientation;
- Efficiency;
- Economy; and
- Ability to follow procedures.
Yate suggests you pick several of the traits that apply to you and that you can back up with stories from your work history. The idea is to create a mental movie of an event, which is much more powerful than simply stating your strong points.
Secret 5: Everyone Hires for the Same Job
All companies are looking for problem solvers. So think of your profession in terms of its problem-solving responsibilities. Then, identify a list of related problems you have solved for your past employers. Come up with specific examples for as many different success stories as you can think of. Then, ask what the first projects you as an employee would be involved in if hired. From there, you can select the most relevant problem-solving examples to share. When reciting these examples use the following formula:
- State the problem.
- Isolate relevant background information.
- List your key qualities.
- Recall the solution.
- Determine what the solution was worth.
Remember, stories help interviewers visualize you solving their problems as a paid member of the team.
Keep these secrets in mind when preparing for your next interview. Approaching the interview from the employer's perspective and demonstrating your strengths through stories will cast you in a great light and make it hard for the interviewer to forget you. For more of Martin Yates' keen insight, visit www.knockemdead.com.
Next: Answers to the 7 Toughest Interview Questions >>
See Also:
- The Secret Psychology That Makes Him Fall For You
- 25 Secrets Of A Happy Marriage
- Secrets For Scoring A Second Date
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Jul 17th 2009 @ 5:43PM Kit
I want a new Business
Reply
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If they get sick here.. your tax money pays for the medical and prescriptions.. and hospital visit. If you get sick.. lay there and suffer.
If you happen to have the money to buy your health care.. you pay tax's on it.. the money you earn.. because you earned it.. and when you spend it.. but you can't take any tax credit on your prescriptions or health care, doctors visits. Sorry.. remember you have to pay.. so some one else "less fortunate" can have all the care in the world.. you, you get sick and your just out of luck!
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 3:16PM DB
what kind of biz?
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www.myusutilitybrokers.com
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 7:10PM tom
You are not blind. AOL apparently hires people who can't write haedlines to match the story. Happens all the time with those clowns. I wouldn't hire them.....maybe one of 17 tips is ....don't tell them you ever did editorial work at AOL??
Jul 24th 2009 @ 6:10PM Kent Jacobson
Hi Kit, what do you want from a new business?
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The #1 secret is knowing where to find these jobs.
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Sadly, My boyfriend and me broke up a month ago. yeah.. i'm young ,beautiful,lonely and still hurting.i may be in need of someone to love..still..My friends told me about
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Jul 22nd 2009 @ 2:16PM Ron
Am I blind or what,under the 17 traits that all employers look for, there was another section, PLUS WHAT TO NEVER BRING UP, I didnt see that subject anywhere on this page.
Reply
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 5:56PM George
Race, politics, religion ...
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 5:58PM Terry
At the end of #3 Don't bring up religious, political or racial matters during the job interview.
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 5:58PM Karen
In secret 3, the last line states."Don't bring up religious, political or racial matters during the job interview."
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 6:12PM birdlegs
Don't bring up religious, political or racial matters during the job interview.
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 6:13PM birdlegs
Don't bring up religious, political or racial matters during the job interview.
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 6:14PM chris
it said not to bring up politics, religeion, or racial matters....
Jul 22nd 2009 @ 6:15PM Krazzieone
"Don't bring up religious, political or racial matters during the job interview."