Employers are looking to answer only four questions....
When you are applying for a job, it is a process. The employer has a problem, you are looking to gain employment, and they are looking to save money and begin solving their problem. You write a resume, do some research, and hope for the best. There are several questions that the new employer wants you to answer, but which ones are the most important? The answer is simple: all of them.
The employer already has a “work home” and you are looking to come into it. They are asking questions, but there is an intent behind the questions you need to think about. Think of it this way – let’s reverse the roles, but make it personal to you, because it is personal to them as well.
You are looking for someone to come into your home. You have a few kids, a few pets, and there are rules to get along (there are already people in the house that need to be thought of, and how they will react to the new addition). Whatever questions you are asking, you want to determine only a few real questions to be asked. You only have about 45 minutes to make this decision, and if you choose wrong, you still have three months to change your mind. Whatever questions you are asking in words, you are looking to get the answer to four questions you never ask out loud. They are:
1. Will you be a good addition – can you do what we need you to?
This is a basic question, but it can be asked in several
different ways. The new employer does not know you, so they need to determine if they can trust you – can you do what you say you can, or not. Trust is built by sharing your stories from work, showing your abilities and deliverable items, and how they will benefit the new employer. Remember you want to show them you can help THEM, not just anyone – so think of the question before you answer it – what is the intent they are looking to answer behind the question? The question they ask is not as important as the answer that you give! This is what your resume is for, to answer these basic first questions – you only have so much space to speak to them, so do your research first and tell them important items for them. This is a gift to the employer, you are showing them what value you have for them – specifically.
2. What attitudes do you have – will you do what we ask in a good time with good results?
This question is partially answered by the resume, and again by the answers you give in the interview. Remember, other than answering a question try to think of the intent they have behind their question, and answer that instead – but also you are looking to answer what they asked for so ask a question of your own such as “Does that answer your question?”. “What is your weakness?” is not about your weakness, it is about rationalizing what you consider needs improvement in your performance, how you will improve it, and what you define as success. It is about them, not about you, so remember not to make this into an ego shout out, but answer their questions in a way you show you belong there with them. The best way to do this is to ask questions, so perhaps asking questions of current employees may make a great difference to your answer! Here is
a post I wrote about adding connections, and here is a link I wrote
about making an effective and attractive profile.
3. Will I like to work with you?
4. Will the rest of the “family” like to work with you?
These questions are determined by the interview process, so keep this in mind when you are at an interview. You can be trained to do almost any type of work, but if talking to you is like jamming a pencil in my eye as an employer, if I cannot stand talking to you, why would I enjoy spending time with you in order to train you? If you can do the job, that is fine – there are several people who can do the job. What determines whether I ask you to come into my work home is if I like you, and if the other people already there like you too. There is not much sense bringing you in to have friction in the workplace – but be yourself. This is not Halloween, you should not wear a mask, because you can only wear one so long.
Remember, when employers are asking questions, think of the intent behind them rather than just answer them right away. The answers you give will help them make a decision.
How are you going to show you can do the job, how are you going to show them you fit into the new workplace easily? Do you have any suggestions for anyone else to show this to their potential employers? As you are leaving the interview, remember to use the BEST secret weapon in your
job search toolbox -
I wrote a post about it over here.
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