My Planet

Employer hot buttons:

Ability to do the Job.
Sounds simple enough, but you would be amazed how many people apply for jobs for which they are not qualified. Before the decision makers dig deep into a candidate's background, or invite him or her in for an interview, they must first confirm this very basic criteria. Establish your ability through your resume or resume portfolio by placing your emphasis on accomplishments, results performance and insights into emerging trends, opportunities and challenges.

Initiative.
Unless you are entry level, most decision makers are looking for someone who can "hit the ground running." They do not want a long learning curve that requires costly training and where the new hire cannot produce quick results. Today's decision makers have very little patience. Demonstrate how you quickly identified a problem or need project, initiated an action plan, and produced bottom-line results.

Job Growth.
Decision makers look for people who go beyond their defined "job description." Show that you are adaptive and willing to take on additional responsibility and that you will go the extra mile to achieve success. You don't want to be perceived as someone who is stuck in the comfort zone and always content with the status quo.

Self-Confidence.
Decision makers want to know that they can totally put their trust in you to perform the job and produce the desired results. They develop this trust by seeing your confidence. Confidence can be displayed in numerous ways. Here are just a few of the things that decision makers look for: A) Speak with authority. Use phrases like "I can," "I will," and "I know." Avoid phases like "I think," "In my opinion," and "I feel that." B) Demonstrate a commanding presence by your appearance, posture, eye contact, and body language. C) Show your track record of ongoing success. Decision makers will not have confidence in you if they can only see a few accomplishments scattered over several years.

Leadership.
Leadership is not reserved for senior executives or managers. For example, a janitor can show leadership by finding a better way to do his/her job, by setting a great example for his/her peers, or by finding ways to cut costs through more effective cleaning equipment or a new supplier for less expensive cleaning materials. Leadership is a rare commodity. Show decision makers that you have the courage to take a leadership role, regardless of your level or function.

Compatibility.
Much to the regret of some people, decision makers look for a certain amount of conformity. This does not mean you must be the quintessential "Dilbert." Rather, organizations seek people whose personality style and behavior match the requirements of the job and the corporate culture. For example, we all know about the employee who is never happy with anything, is a continual whiner, and always finds fault with everyone else. During your interviews, avoid criticizing your former employer or placing blame on others for why things didn't get done. Always demonstrate your positive mental attitude (PMA).

Attitude.
OK, we wrapped up number six by mentioning your PMA. Let's build on that. If you want to be the standard by which all others are measured, then walk in the door with a high energy level, tons of enthusiasm, a zest for living, and the determination to be the very best at whatever you do. Enthusiasm is infectious. Others feed on it. It is motivating and drives others to higher levels of productivity and success. Show your enthusiasm every chance you get and you dramatically increase your chances of being hired.

Social Skills/Interests/Involvement.
In today's business world, it seems that professional courtesy and conduct are from another era. You can never say please and thank you enough. Give credit and praise to others. During your interview talk about the team's performance and the contribution that everyone else brought to your projects or your job. Show your interest in what others were working on and how you were willing to help. Show your involvement in organization activities?both social and professional.

Integrity.
Over the past few years we have witnessed the tragic abuse of authority and total lack of integrity by many of our nation's top senior level executives. Many have gone to jail and others will probably soon follow. Needless to say, this is a powerful message to everyone. Demonstrate your uncompromising integrity, professional ethics and personal morals. If a decision maker wants you to "wink" at laws or professional conduct, you don't want to work for that company.

Communication Skills.
We can't ever communicate too much. I admit that companies often have too many meetings, but I don't equate those meetings to communication. A good communicator possesses outstanding written and oral skills and knows how to use them effectively. Demonstrate to the decision maker how you continually use communication skills to achieve your goals.

Answer Key Interview Questions Like a Pro

By Robin Ryan, Author of "60 Seconds and You're Hired"

There are four key components to successfully answering interview questions:

Advance preparation


Giving short, concise, specific answers that never exceed 60 seconds


Demonstrating ability to perform the job


Exhibiting the ideal worker personality traits

Whenever possible, give a specific example of how you've operated in the past. Employers want assurance you'll be able to do the job. Keep in mind that the ideal worker is productive, gets results, and has a success-oriented, "can-do" attitude. Plus, he or she is eager to learn, flexible and adaptable. Match these characteristics with some key answers and you are surely going to be a standout among the competition.

Practice answers in advance. To get you started, here are the key questions you'll likely be asked with appropriate answers.

Tell me about yourself.

Forget your life story. Open the interview by using what I call your "60-Second Sell" -- a customized, memorized statement that summarizes and links together your five top selling points, skills, experience and strengths into a one-minute verbal business card.

Other potential inquiries that this answer is perfect for include:

What are your strengths?

What makes you think you are qualified for this job?

What makes you think you will succeed in this position?

Why do you want this job? Why should I hire you?

Why did you leave your last job, or want to leave your current job?
Wanting more challenge or growth opportunities, relocation, layoffs, reorganization or downsizing are all acceptable reasons to depart. An effective answer might be, "The company went through a downsizing, that's why I'm available." Or, "My current employer is small and I've gone as far as I can with their organization. I'm looking for a challenge that will really use my abilities and strengths, allowing me to continue to grow and make a larger contribution."

What is your greatest weakness?

A little humor, such as "Don't ask me to repair the copier... ha-ha-ha," is definitely OK. Point out something that will have no negative impact on the hiring decision, and stress a needed skill. For example, if the position requires excellent computer skills using Office software, you might offer this response: "I have excellent computer user skills. I know Excel and Word inside and out, but I am pretty weak at actual programming and would need more training if you need customized programming..." The employer isn't asking for the candidate to program but this answer reinforces a major selling point -- computer usage skills.

I'm a little worried about your lack of...

If the employer is unaware of your experience, then it's easy to give an answer using a specific example demonstrating that skill. If they are concerned about a skill you do lack, but are eager to learn, try "I have excellent customer services skills, but you are right, I have not been a salesperson. I do know the key to success is the ability to build good client relationships, persistence, efficient time management and good follow-up skills, all of which I have. I have read numerous books on selling, and I intend to take seminars at my own expense to learn everything I can. I am a hard worker who lets rejection roll off my back. My goals include landing a sales job and then becoming one of the top sales people in my company. I've set a three year date to achieve this goal and I am determined to succeed."

You have a lot of experience. Why would you want this job?

Desperately needing any job isn't going to score points with the interviewer. The employer worries you won't stay, are burnt-out, looking for an easy paycheck, or worse, you'll go after the boss's job once you come on board. The best strategy is to not oversell your abilities. Stress why this job fits for you now, that you seek a job with less travel, or that you wish to utilize a specific skill such as training or design. Be careful not to say you want an easy, no-stress job, causing the employer seek a more eager worker.

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