If you write a CV that impresses the recruiter or hiring manager; meet their job’s requirements; have all the qualifications they are looking for; and made their shortlist of candidates, the final step to seal the deal is to wow their socks off in the interview.
In the words of George Eliot, “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” The time is now to sharpen up on your soft skills if you really want to change career paths or get that new opportunity and ace the interview with flying colours.
The potential candidate who showcases the highest quality skillsets from the list below, during 2022’s job interviews, will surely stand out from the rest.
Stand out in a Job Interview by Showcasing these skills:
- Problem-Solving Skills – This skill is on top of the list for a reason. The pandemic and economic turmoil forced businesses and leaders to think out of the box. They needed to reinvent their businesses and themselves to keep up with the rapid changes. This meant that they had to solve difficult problems by coming up with unique ideas. Hiring managers need employees to be able to solve problems and make informed decisions by coming up with creative and innovative solutions. Good and efficient problem solvers will be vital to any team during 2022 and management knows that this is what sets their business apart from their competitors.
- Adaptability towards Change – Change can be extremely daunting but, in the workplace, especially now, it is inevitable. It has been proven over and over that businesses and people who adapt to change are the ones who survive and thrive. Hiring managers will look at how adaptable a potential employee is especially towards change. Adapting to change is no easy skill to master because all of us experience and deal with change differently. That is why it is important to practice continuously by embracing the changes in our daily lives. Try to look at the positives in any situation and attempt to prepare for any upcoming changes as best you can. When in the interview, show that you are a flexible person and that you want to drive change. Showing that you are adaptable makes you a valuable team member because you will greatly help co-workers to overcome challenges together.
- Hunger for Learning – Management can see potential in a recruit when the person shows curiosity and a desire to adopt the habit of lifelong learning. It shows the employer that you are willing to learn and eager to equip yourself with skills to become a true asset to your team. No one knows everything, and the concept of continuous improvement is seen as a positive self-enhancer towards growth and success. People who want to learn are also more likely to teach and pass on the skills to their peers. Continuous learning helps staff become confident in their job responsibilities and helps the organisation to keep up with trends. Lifelong learning personnel give a business the advantage of having a positive morale and company culture.
- Confidence – Jason Pockrandt said: “Anything is possible once you believe you are worthy of achieving it.” When you show confidence in the interview you will give the hiring manager the feeling that you know what you are doing and that you will excel in the position. He or she will trust your abilities. Own your achievements and know-how so that the future employer will trust you. “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do” said Dr Benjamin Spock.
- High EQ Skills – Emotional Intelligence may make or break your job interview. Numerous articles have said that most employers value EQ more than IQ. It is very important to demonstrate your empathy and self-awareness of your emotions when answering your interview questions. Hiring managers want to see if you are empathetic when communicating. They want to confirm if you know yourself and feel comfortable in your own skin. They also want to know if you can relate to people and their situation by, “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” It’s good to discuss your past emotional mistakes. Through this, hiring managers will see that, irrespective of the oversight, you were able to identify the slip-up and learn from it. It will help them see you are able to accept responsibility for your actions and rectify your issue with the correct emotional intelligence.
- Effective Communication and Listening Skills – Practice active listening before you start rambling on. Recruiters or hiring managers focus on various communication queues during an interview like body language and whether you are truly listening with understanding. Don’t interrupt the interviewer but ask questions that are relevant which they have not yet answered. Communicate clearly and make eye contact. Don’t fidget or cross your arms as this will make you look nervous and thus less confident. Remain professional in your conversation and thus no swearing or involving chats about your personal life. Effective communication and listening give a strong indication of who you are as a person. It can confirm a lot about how you will work in your future team, give constructive criticism, and make reasonable recommendations along the way.
- Being able to work with Diverse Teams – We work with a variety of people with different backgrounds, who come from various cultures and who have their own beliefs etc. Showing that you approach people with respect and openness will help recruiters see that you can work with people of all types.
- Self-Motivation – Be self-motivated and optimistic. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement,” said Helen Keller. If you think positive thoughts and motivate yourself throughout your interview and job hunt, the perfect career will present itself. Also, if you demonstrate that you are an individual who is self-motivated, the interviewer will choose you above someone who does not possess this skill. Employers want staff who are go-getters and can self-motivate as this will rub off on their peers. Self-motivators also get the job done and quickly too. They are more productive.
- Remote Work – This has become a given in many businesses and in many positions. When hiring managers look for new employees, depending on the job spec, they look for a self-starter with the self-discipline that can be trusted when required to work remotely. To work independently requires not only time management, but also stress management. Showing that you are prompt and deadline-driven is another way of displaying your ability to work remotely.
- Leadership Skills – These skills will not only show employers that you can work in a team but will also show that you can lead the team and motivate your co-workers. No one goes into a position and wants to stay stagnant there. People want to grow in their profession. They want to get a promotion. If you show leadership skills, you show the interviewer that you have potential. Employers would rather promote internally than go through the advertising and interviewing process which is both time consuming and costly. Show them that, in future, you are promotable because you possess leadership skills.
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Be positive the entire time. While you do your job search, in the interview and even afterwards. Except for these skills above, be on time, come prepared with questions, do your research about the job and the company, and leave knowing that you made a great impression on the interviewer. Remember to inform your references that someone might call. Upskill yourself if you are unsure about some of these skills and be as prepared as can be when you really want the job.
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