Today's job market is as competitive as ever. You need to be able to effectively communicate your skillset so that you will give yourself the best competitive advantage to secure employment. During the interview process, you want to highlight as many of your strengths as possible.
An easy way to do this is by slipping a few simple phrases into your next job interview. Here are seven things you should say in an interview.
1. I Am Very Familiar With What Your Company Does
Letting a prospective employer know that you are familiar with what a company does shows that you have a legitimate interest in the business and are not just wasting their time. Do your homework before arriving for an interview. Check out the company website for information about products and services. Search for the latest transactions and pertinent business news.
Be sure to let the interviewer know that you are familiar with the newest company acquisition or the latest product that was just developed. Explain how your skills and experience are a perfect fit for the employer.
2. I Am Flexible
Work environments are always changing. Prospective employers are looking for candidates that are open to change and can adapt at a moment's notice. In today's fast-paced business world, employees must have the ability to multi-task.
Stating that you are adaptable lets an employer know that you are willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. This may mean working additional hours or taking on additional job duties in a crunch. Show your potential employer that you are equipped to deal with any crisis that may arise.
3. I Am Energetic and Have a Positive Attitude
Employers are looking for candidates with optimism and a "can-do" attitude. Attitudes are contagious and directly affect company morale. Let the optimist in you shine during the interview process.
Be sure to always speak positively about past employers. Negative comments and sarcastic statements about past employers and co-workers will make you look petty. If you bad-mouth your past company, employers are liable to believe that you will do the same thing to them.
4. I Have a Great Deal of Experience
This is your chance to shine. Highlight any previous job duties that relate directly to your new job. If it is a management position, state every time that you were responsible for the supervision, training, and development of other employees. Discuss your motivational techniques and share specific examples of how you increased productivity. Feel free to list any training classes or seminars that you have attended.
5. I Am a Team Player
Do you remember when you were young and your teacher wanted to know if you could work well with others? Well, the job market is no different. Companies are looking for employees who are cooperative and get along well with other employees. Mentioning that you are a team player lets your prospective employer know that you can flourish in group situations.
Employers are looking for workers that can be productive with limited supervision and have the ability to work well with others.
6. I Am Seeking to Become an Expert in My Field
Employers love applicants who are increasing their knowledge base to make themselves the best employees possible. Stating that you are aiming to become an expert causes employers to view you as an asset and not a liability. You are a resource that other employees can learn from.
This is also a subtle way of illustrating that you have an attitude of excellence. You are aiming to be the best at what you do. This will let employers know that you are not just a fly-by-night employee, but are in it for the long run.
7. I Am Highly Motivated
A motivated employee is a productive employee. Talk about how your high level of motivation has led you to accomplish many things. If you are a meticulous worker, discuss your organizational skills and attention to detail. Companies are always looking for dependable employees whom they can count upon.
The Bottom Line
Remember that a job interview is an opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer. Be sure to slip in the right phrases to give you the best chance possible of securing your dream job.
FAQs
The three golden rules of an interview are: 1) Research and Preparation, 2) Demonstrate Professionalism and Engagement, and 3) Follow-up and Thank You.
What is the star technique in interviewing? ›
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result and it's a technique you can use to not only strengthen your answers but create a narrative and structure as well. We recommend the STAR interview method to candidates who want to tailor direct and concise answers to impress interviewers.
How to ace your interview? ›
- Tell the truth. ...
- Listen carefully to the interviewer. ...
- Never slight a teacher, friend, employer, or your university. ...
- Watch your grammar. ...
- Be prepared for personal questions. ...
- Wait for the interviewer to mention salary and benefits. ...
- Don't expect a job offer at the first interview. ...
- Close on a positive, enthusiastic note.
Discuss what you have done and why you are interested in the job and organization, including the skills, experience, accomplishments, and passion you possess that match their needs and requirements and align with the company's organizational values, goals, and industry.
What are the 3 C's of interviewing? ›
The three C's are basically confidence, communication and common sense. There is an extremely fine line between confidence and over-confidence. So be sure to understand both well.
What are the three P's to the perfect interview? ›
In order to succeed in any interview, you should focus on the 3 Ps essential to an interview- preparation, practice, and positivity. Preparing extensively around the 3 Ps will help you give an edge over other candidates and increase your chances of getting hired.
What is good weakness to say in an interview? ›
So as a recap, the four answers that you can give when being asked, what are your greatest weaknesses, are, I focus too much on the details, I've got a hard time saying no sometimes, I've had trouble asking for help in the past, and I have a hard time letting go of a project.
What is the car method? ›
The CAR method is an interview technique that will help you create effective stories about your work accomplishments and impress hiring managers throughout the interview process. The CAR method—Challenge, Action, Result—should be an essential part of your interview preparation.
What is the smart method of interviewing? ›
SMART interviewing objectives involve a structured and goal-oriented approach using the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound framework. This ensures well-defined, measurable, realistic, job-relevant goals with a clear time frame for the interview process.
What are the 5 C's of interviewing? ›
These 5 Cs stand for Competency, Character, Communication Skills, Culture Fit and Career Direction. 1. Competency - having the requisite technical skill in performing the task is the key. Detective Tip: giving technical assessment during interview.
Create a strong first impression
So in those first few minutes, it's all about smiling confidently, shaking hands firmly, making eye contact and generally looking as if you're glad to be there and you want the job. Lean in slightly, widen your eyebrows slightly, and wait to be invited to sit down.
What is one thing you should not do during the first interview? ›
Getting Personal or Too Familiar. Avoid giving sob stories about how much you need the job due to the mountain of debt you've accrued. Also, don't behave in a conceited or over-familiar manner; it never makes a good impression.
How do I answer "Why should we hire you?"? ›
Here are some additional examples to build your response to “Why should we hire you?”:
- You have a passion for the work and proven abilities.
- You have differentiated experience in this field.
- You have exceptional drive and determination to succeed.
- You have unique skills that separate you from other candidates.
Here's how to best answer “tell me about yourself”:
Introduce yourself, tell them who you are and what you do. Then, talk about your past work experience, key responsibilities, and skills. Mention your relevant achievements. Finally, explain how your strengths can contribute to the company.
How do I close an interview? ›
Reiterate your interest in the job, but try not to sound anxious or desperate. Instead, express how exciting and challenging you think the role would be -- and what a good fit you'd be for it. Finally, ask the interviewer if there's any- thing else you can do to show your strengths as a candidate.
What are the three 3 main parts of an interview? ›
An interview is structured into three parts:
- Opening the interview and welcoming the candidate, outlining the purpose and structure of the interview.
- The body of the interview. The fact finding part, ask questions and allow the candidate to answer.
- Closing the interview.
During the Interview
- Plan to arrive early. ...
- Be prepared to summarize your experience in about 30 seconds and describe what you bring to the position.
- Listen carefully to each question asked. ...
- Remain positive and avoid negative comments about past employers.
- Be aware of your body language and tone of voice.
3 golden interview rules: be prepared, be professional, and most importantly, be yourself. The call you've been waiting for has come. A hiring manager wants to interview you. With your dream job a step closer, how you approach this opportunity will make all the difference.
What are the 3 main stages of an interview? ›
It is normal to be nervous about a job interview, especially when it is for a role you really want. Knowing what to expect can help reduce interview anxiety. Most job interviews can be broken down into three phases: Introduction, Getting to Know You, and Closing.
