You’re looking for a new job, which means you’ve likely read dozens of job postings. In each ad, there are skills and qualities that the employer wants candidates to possess.
Where the difficulty lies for job seekers is in selecting the appropriate characteristics from among the long list available and then actually demonstrating to a potential employer that they possess these requisite skills.
To help you show potential employers you have the qualities they want, here are five commonly requested characteristics and how you can demonstrate your proficiency of each during your job interview.
Know How to Communicate
Right off the bat, employers will want to know that you have solid written and oral communication skills. In fact, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2011 survey, verbal communication was at the top of the list of most desired soft skills.
Since you’ve already proven your ability to write by submitting the great cover letter and resume that helped you land the job interview, all that is left to do is to show how well you are able to articulate your ideas.
Keep in mind that presentation and verbal communication skills go hand in hand. How you present yourself – your appearance, body language, mannerisms, gestures and verbal ability – can all enhance or detract from what you have to say. To shine in the job interview make sure you send a complete message that says you are well spoken and professional.
Prove You Have the Required Knowledge
Whether you are applying for an entry-level or senior-level position, showing you have the requisite knowledge to handle the job is all about the words you choose. That means speaking the lingo.
Understanding the technical terms or slang associated with your industry or career field can go a long way in confirming that you have the knowledge required to do the job. However, it is not enough to know the words. You need to understand their meaning, know how they are important to the job opening and then be able to use them correctly to enhance your interview responses.
Demonstrate Your Dependability
One of the easiest ways to demonstrate to a new employer that you are dependable is to show up for the job interview and to be on time. That means no canceling at the last minute or pulling a no show and calling afterwards.
In addition, explain how you completed projects ahead of deadline, won awards for good attendance and performance, or were considered the “go-to” person because of your reliability. Anything that will help further demonstrate that you are dependable.
Illustrate How Well You Work in Teams
Third on the NACE survey in terms of importance is teamwork. A word frequently found in job postings. However, how do you demonstrate you are a team player?
One of the best ways to illustrate that you work well with others is to describe your work experience in terms of “we”, not just “I”. Yes, there will be individual projects or responsibilities for which you will want to take credit. However, be sure to sprinkle your responses with stories about how the whole team worked well together to accomplish department or company goals successfully.
Explain How Well You Multi-Task
Did you attend college, work full-time, volunteer on weekends and participate in on-campus activities all at the same time? Clearly, you are capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously. For women, that is good news.
According to the Women’s Health College article, “ Learn to Juggle: Multiple Roles are Good for Your Health,” a five-year research study led by the Women's College Research Institute (WCRI) found that women actually reported better health when their lives included multiple roles.
Whether you are male or female, explain how you have handled multiple priorities without dropping the ball. Share stories that point out how you've managed several projects and tasks at the same time without making it seem as if you don’t know how to say “no” or are unable to prioritize.
One last tip: don’t forget to show your enthusiasm. When you arrive for your interview, be friendly and outgoing while maintaining a professional edge. You want to make sure to show that you’ve got all the qualities employers want in employees.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
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