We all have interview questions that we dread. Many people dread
the off the wall questions. But without a doubt the hardest question to
answer is, "Why should I hire you for this job." It's such a hard
question that only rarely will you hear it directly asked. But in
reality, it is the only question that is ever really being asked. And if
you realize that this is the only question and prepare for this
question asked in different forms, your interview preparation is
complete.
An interviewer may ask you to talk about handing a stressful work situation. Answer this question as though they asked you that other question, "This position can clearly be stressful at times, in the past I've encountered similar situations... "
Similarly if you are asked where you see yourself in five years, you should see this question as a query about how the job you are applying for fits into your career plan.
Ace-ing this hardest of questions depends on your insight into the job you interview for, and your insight into your own strengths. Recently I helped a jobseeker who was answering this question for a position that listed 20 plus qualifications of a worker dealing with the mentally disabled. Looking at the list the clear unifying traits needed for the job were patience, an ability to listen and observe. She needed to point out that she possessed these qualities and could prove it.
She also had a disabled brother. While of course, she wouldn't want to get into the details of his disability, clearly this is more of a qualification for the job than she thought. In an interview, she can clearly state that she knows how frustrating having a disability can be--and how patience is important in dealing with the disabled, and the networks around them. And the fact of her brother's disability can explain her passion for the job. Passion is very moving in an interview. Notice that she never has to explain the disability or reveal any personal details that she didn't want to. I'd suggest saying that she's very proud of a disabled brother. She has seen his struggles and knows the importance of patience. She's familiar with the resources available to the disabled and feels inspired to work with them.
It's interesting to me how often people ignore the power of such credentials that may not seem like credentials. Look in you heart to tap into inner passions. Then work with a friend to find the way to express why these passions motivate you to seek work in your field. Remember not all passions are as concrete as a disabled brother. Perhaps you find solace in the precision of numbers (an accountant). Perhaps you love to solve problems (an engineer). Perhaps you like making people see something in a new way (marketer).
You goal is to be able to answer that one question with a passion that the interviewer sees and remembers. Your odds of an offer will dramatically increase.
An interviewer may ask you to talk about handing a stressful work situation. Answer this question as though they asked you that other question, "This position can clearly be stressful at times, in the past I've encountered similar situations... "
Similarly if you are asked where you see yourself in five years, you should see this question as a query about how the job you are applying for fits into your career plan.
Ace-ing this hardest of questions depends on your insight into the job you interview for, and your insight into your own strengths. Recently I helped a jobseeker who was answering this question for a position that listed 20 plus qualifications of a worker dealing with the mentally disabled. Looking at the list the clear unifying traits needed for the job were patience, an ability to listen and observe. She needed to point out that she possessed these qualities and could prove it.
She also had a disabled brother. While of course, she wouldn't want to get into the details of his disability, clearly this is more of a qualification for the job than she thought. In an interview, she can clearly state that she knows how frustrating having a disability can be--and how patience is important in dealing with the disabled, and the networks around them. And the fact of her brother's disability can explain her passion for the job. Passion is very moving in an interview. Notice that she never has to explain the disability or reveal any personal details that she didn't want to. I'd suggest saying that she's very proud of a disabled brother. She has seen his struggles and knows the importance of patience. She's familiar with the resources available to the disabled and feels inspired to work with them.
It's interesting to me how often people ignore the power of such credentials that may not seem like credentials. Look in you heart to tap into inner passions. Then work with a friend to find the way to express why these passions motivate you to seek work in your field. Remember not all passions are as concrete as a disabled brother. Perhaps you find solace in the precision of numbers (an accountant). Perhaps you love to solve problems (an engineer). Perhaps you like making people see something in a new way (marketer).
You goal is to be able to answer that one question with a passion that the interviewer sees and remembers. Your odds of an offer will dramatically increase.
Check out my Amazon #1 Best Seller Kindle book, "Make Me an Offer" available exclusively on Amazon.
I'd love to hear from you! For many more ideas about getting and keeping a job that you love, visit and sign up to my blog at http://ThinkUpsideDownBooks.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Susan_Riehle/1767357
I'd love to hear from you! For many more ideas about getting and keeping a job that you love, visit and sign up to my blog at http://ThinkUpsideDownBooks.com