What the interviewer is after from that particular question, is “Do you think you are the one for the job?”, includes a lot more than a sample catalog of your hobbies. He’s looking into how you would be a solution to his problems and how you will be fitting into the organization. This really is your elevator pitch, and should express how you fit in as the missing piece of their puzzle.
The Problem Solver Approach
It’s good to list skills, but to really blow them away, inform them of a problem that the company is having and how you, a problem solver, would tackle that problem. If their pain is slowness in customer-service deliveries, how surprised would they be if you elaborated on how you actually sped up response time in your previous job. This shows that you are already among the few who have researched them and are considering a solution to their problems right from day one.
Lineage of Experience
Your past achievements should strongly relate to the job specification; perhaps when the job requires leadership, for instance, you’ll remember leading a project to successful completion. The formula is “You are looking for X, and in my last role, I achieved Y by doing Z.” The trail of paper will give concrete proof that you can deliver on the responsibilities.
Your Cultural Add
They not only pay for skill but also personality and values. How does your work ethic best fit with theirs as a style of communication? It is very different from everything they might have heard in a recruitment process but has received the core mission with the rest of the group so it can be a safe hire but still fun.
Focus on Soft Skills
Hard skills like coding or accounting will probably be a consideration for all potential employers. However, it is the equal balance of soft skills that separates good workers from the great ones. Do you shine brightly when acquiring a new concept, or do you serve coolly as a mediator in conflicts? Let them know. These traits are, however, less teachable than those about using new software applications, making you a more compliant asset to the team.
Show Your Heart
Passion can be infectious, especially when real. Come on now, why is it really that you want to work for this specific company and not for any of its competitors in the business? An employer will hear that you care about its products, goals, and vision, thereby being convinced that the candidate that demonstrates such fervor will not only follow through but also remain loyal to the company.
Sector Specialist Method
Go big-talk about being a little on the senior side around here. Talk about knowing the trends and the talk of the industry. That kind of wisdom assures the interviewer that they will not be wasting time and resources training you on the fundamentals.
Future Potential
Hires are investments. Indicate that you want to become with the organization the long haul with added responsibilities over time. Candidates who seem to think of the company as a long-term career opportunity rather than a “stepping stone” won’t be appealing to employers.
