In an interview, worrying about your perceived inadequacies, or what
can be viewed as negative items on your history of employment, will get
you nowhere. In fact, having a negative focus on things often comes
through in the way you answer.
interview questions, and even in your body language. An applicant who
shifts, plays with things like their shirt cuffs, or who loses track of
the subject under discussion, is sabotaging their own chance at success.
Okay, so you have some weak points. Maybe there was a time two years
ago, that you were out of work for eight months. Or the job that is
open demands a certain skill level that you haven’t quite achieved yet.
Neither of those things can knock you out of contention like a lack of
confidence in yourself.
We have a simple, two-part solution: First, make the best out of your “worst”, and then make the company’s priorities, your own.
Study the weak points in your resume and build on them. If you’ve had a
period of unemployment, think about the experiences you had during that
time, the businesses you visited, and what you learned about the
current economy and job market. Show that you are attentive to detail,
and enjoy learning from unexpected opportunities.
Express enthusiasm for the chance to expand on your present skills.
Apply the same strategy to any other “weak” points you may have. Even a
job that you left due to a personality conflict, can be given a
positive light by emphasizing the experience you gained. Whatever you
do, leave bitterness and pity at home. An employer wants someone with
the desire to move onward and upward.
That brings us to the second item: presenting yourself in a way that
makes you compatible with the company’s needs, and highlights how you
can benefit their present or future plans. Study the company’s general
business, and the department where you are applying, in particular.
Find out why they are hiring someone (Did an employee quit? Retire? Are
they expanding?) then emphasize the skills and experience that make you
not only capable of filling the position, but of bringing new ideas and
a positive attitude to it.
Find an "up" to every down point in your work history or resume. Then
sell your skills and personality with an eye on the company agenda. The
combination of competence and enthusiasm is often the formula for a
successful interview.
This article is provided by http://www.101perfectinterviews.com, the best place for learning insider interviewing techniques.
