Hiring managers want to know that you will be successful in the position. They want to hire people that are knowledgeable, driven and low maintenance.
Here’s what that means in terms of how you present yourself:
Show that you’re knowledgeable
• Know the company: make sure you’ve thoroughly examined the company’s website so you know the mission, culture and priorities.
• Know the company’s landscape: take time to think about what’s influencing the company’s priorities. Are there policies, political initiatives, or trends that might be affecting their priorities and strategies?
• Know the skills it takes to do the job: think about the purpose of the position you’re after. At the end of day, what are you striving to accomplish? Imagine yourself in the position and ask yourself, what would I do to be effective? Make notes and write examples from your experience based on those thoughts.
• Know what you don’t know: most people are not a perfect fit for a position. Be honest with yourself about where you might need to grow. When the interview comes, you may say- here are my strengths and here’s where I will put attention to grow into the position. It’s okay not to be able to do everything! Remember that the hiring manager is going to choose the person who’s the best fit both in terms of job-doing skills, people fitting-in skills and manageability.
Demonstrate that you’re driven
Get clear about your motivation for the particular position and company. And, get clear about your interest in learning, growing and moving up the ladder. Write down what you’re excited about accomplishing, and be specific. What skills do you enjoy using? What makes the mission a good fit for you? How does the organizational culture match your values? What do you like about their approach toward staff development? Teamwork? Innovation? What are you excited to learn?
Be ready to communicate in words and through your energy what in particular motivates you to work in the organization, with the team.
Convey that you’re low maintenance
People want to hire people that are motivated to succeed, and don’t take a lot of direction or correction! Be able demonstrate to hiring managers that you know what it takes to do the job and that you’ve thought a few steps ahead (for example, what preparation would help you to be effective). Be prepared to answer the question of the conditions where you’re most productive so a manager knows how much or little direction works for you. And be thinking about how you can demonstrate that you communicate with managers about project status and challenges in a timely, direct manner so that jobs get done on time and challenges are handled effectively. Be prepared with a story that shows you know how to communicate with managers to avert problems (and why that matters – e.g. saving money or clients).
In summary, hone your job-doing, job-motivation and “how I work with a manager” interview stories. Come to the Interview Club to get practice and feedback! https://lauraparadisecoaching.com/theinterviewclub/