BLHteacher | Resources

Reasons you Get Hired

• Ability and Suitability. The employer feels confident you'll get the job done and fit into the company's work culture. Willingness to go the extra mile.

• Manageability A boss may realize that you are brilliant but worry that you could be a bear to work with. Prospective employers want to know that you're able to take direction and get along with other people.

• Positive personality traits. Employers appreciate people who can demonstrate, through illustrative stories of themselves on the job, various desirable personality traits, like pride, determination, or organization. It's helpful to not just say "I'm very organized" but to show the interviewer with specific examples from you past job performance how organized you are.

• Problem solving abilities. When the employer senses that you are the kind of person who can come into a job, tackle the hassles, and create solutions rather than problems, you've got a very good host at the job.

• Practice before the interview. Don't go into a job interview cold. Stage a dry run with a friend who can critique your answers and demeanor and give you tips on how to get your strengths across to the interviewer. You need to articulate what you're good at. The interviewer will probably take you through your resume and you'll have to address every single item in one or two sentences. Find out about the company culture before the interview. You want to make them feel like you're one of them. Dress the way they dress. The idea is, you want them to think you're somebody they could spend the day working with.

• Realize Anything you say can be used against you. I don't want my boss to know that I'm looking for another job". Don't lie or bad mouth a past employer or coworker. The lesson: You're being observed throughout your entire interview process, so act accordingly.

• Coach your references. Can you recall in detail what your responsibilities were at your first job? The people you've used as references can't either. To get them to sing your praises without missing a note, you'll have to help them prepare. Send an annotated resume, and go over your accomplishments with them. Make sure your reference is someone you actually worked for not just a colleague. That person is a better position to articulate your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate.

• Pick up on the interview's cues. As your meeting ends, listen carefully to what the interviewer says about your chances of getting the job and what follow-up (if any) the company or you will make. If you get turned down before you leave, be upbeat. You could be terrific but not right for the job. If you leave with a position impression, we might hire you next time. Whatever happens, don't forget to send a short, polite thank you not within five days.

• Ask for the Job. Do it politely and with enthusiasm. Many interviewers complain that applicants lose interest before the interview ends. If you're not comfortable asking directly, say: "It was a fascinating discussion. I'm very interested in pursuing it further."