COMMUNICATING TO INTERVIEWERS
I was looking over
some recent studies and one statistic stands out. Most people who lose their
jobs do so because THEY CANNOT GET ALONG WITH OTHERS.
As employers look for
a match between people and the job they have to offer it has always remained a
question to me as to how they determine if the person they are interviewing
will get along with other employees. So, what technique or techniques do HR
managers, hiring authorities, and employers use to determine compatibility?
What questions do they ask that give them some clues about you? Do they just
operate on gut level feelings? I am not sure. I do think however, that each of
you has an opportunity to give employers some satisfaction that you get along
with others.
FOLLOWING ARE SOME
WAYS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GIVE SOME PEACE OF MIND TO EMPLOYERS AND PERHAPS GAIN A
LEG UP ON OTHER CANDIDATES.
THE GATEKEEPER
Be sure to make a
good impression on this person. Thank he/she for any and all accommodations
given. Thanks on the way out again. Perhaps a follow up note or phone call
thanking this person. Do, if possible, make them feel important.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
* Give instances in which you have taken leadership roles
*Indicate if you have been a peacemaker.
* Have you helped bridge the gap between employees and employers?
* Have you been asked to be a team leader or manager of a project?
* Are there honors/awards you have received because of team play,
leadership or management you have displayed?
ON THE INVISIBLE
RESUME
When asked if you
have any questions or if there is anything that they should know about you I
would suggest that you have examples that display some of the questions asked
under the During The Interview.
If asked if there
have been difficult work situations that you handled, BE SURE TO INIDICATE How WELL you interacted with others.
IF ASKED WHAT
STRENGTHS YOU BRING TO THE TABLE: Indicate that you are a team player and cite
examples. This is an opportunity to show how you can get along with others.
* For every skill/strength listed -TRY TO INDICATE HOW YOU HAVE
SUCCESSFULLY USED THAT SKILL
* Indicate mediation processes you have successfully been involved
in
IF ASKED IF YOU HAVE
ASSUMED LEADERSHIP ROLES: Have examples ready to give if possible.
* Indicate
problems that have arisen and how you solved them.
* Any employee performance problems you have encountered and how
you solved them.
* Can you think of major conflicts at work you have successfully
dealt with?
WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS OF SHOWING HOW YOU RELATE
WELL TO OTHERS?
* Perhaps outside of work activities
* Leadership roles in youth groups, church
groups, volunteer activities
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY
* Take some of the 20 tough questions in the blue booklet you have and connect them to any instances where you have successfully dealt with others
Some Examples:
* What is your
greatest strength? Possible answer: “I deal well with others and have done
conflict resolution.”
* What do you consider
one of your greatest accomplishments? Possible answer: “I mediated a major
dispute and retained a valued customer.
* Tell me about one of
the biggest mistakes you made and how you overcame it? Possible answer: “The
time I organized and met with other managers to solve a problem.”
* Tell me about your
accomplishments?
* How would your
current or last boss describe you? Possible answer: “Able to get along well
with others etc.”
YOU CAN TAKE ANY QUESTION AND TURN IT INTO A
SITUATION WHERE YOU HANDLED PEOPLE WELL· you just must prepare ahead by
reviewing possible questions and answers.
OF COURSE: You need to be truthful. Not all of
us will be able to use some of the suggestions I offer.