Do We Like This Candidate? Will He or She Fit In?
It’s a well-known fact that no two people are exactly the same; even twins, triplets, and other multiple birth siblings have differences. So, what makes you different from all the other candidates who are being interviewed? What do you have that makes you unique? What skills will break through any resistance to hire you as the right person for the job?
By thinking beyond the usual qualifications you have in the form of education and experience (knowledge-based skills), we will look at the other skills, traits, and abilities you have that will make you stand out from the others. The combination of all these skills makes you unique. You may have been taking some of these skills for granted, or be too modest to talk about them in an interview.
If knowledge-based skills account for as much as 50 percent or more of the essential job function, what accounts for the other 50 percent? The answer is your Transferrable Skills and Personal Traits. This is the 50 percent of the job requirement that could give you a chance even if someone else has more knowledge-based skills than you do.
In this section, we will focus on Transferrable Skills and Personal Traits, as these are the qualities that could make the difference between the hiring of one equally qualified candidate over another. This is the part of the interview that is more subjective. Unfortunately, this is where many candidates begin their spiral descent out the door.
Most job interviews last anywhere from an hour or less to an all-day or weekend event. For some positions, the interview can last all day and involves interactions with many individuals from the company. But on average, the majority of interviews last about an hour per session with an individual or a panel of interviewers. The interview schedule will really depend on the position you are applying for, its level of responsibility, as well as the company’s culture and policies about the hiring process. The longer the interview, the more time the interviewer will have to evaluate your behavior and personality and really get to know you.
How can someone get to know you in one hour? The answer is they really can’t. This is why the person who sells himself or herself best will be make the most memorable impression and will more than likely get the job offer. Your challenge is to be prepared to let the interviewer see who you are through your performance during the interview. This includes your ability to act and talk confidently about your past behavior, your accomplishments, and yourself.
The most important part of this category is to let the interviewer get to know the real you. When you hold back, the interviewer will not get a realistic picture of you and your personality. Try to remember that the interviewer is thinking, Would I want to work with this person?
People’s personalities vary, and for some people the idea of “telling it all” at the first meeting feels very uncomfortable and dangerous. Others will tell too much and forget this is not a “date” or an opportunity to make a new best friend; it is a job interview. Do not underestimate your personality traits as a deal breaker when there are two or more very qualified candidates. The following is feedback received from a client:
Every time I was asked a question I thought of the factor; that was the key. I also remembered to emphasize my personality and be myself. There was another female candidate who was interviewing, so I had competition. She had more job experience than I had, and a lot more years in the industry, so I was intimidated and threatened. But, as we sat waiting she never exchanged a single word to anyone, not even a “Good morning.” It was then that I realized I had something she didn’t: my personality. One of the things that my teammates tell me all the time is they like working with me, and that they enjoy my sense of humor because it lightens the mood and relieves pressure. So, during the interview I was relaxed and used my personality and sense of humor. I had the interviewers smiling and laughing. I kept remembering what you told me: “Be yourself and talk to these people like they are your colleagues.” I reminded myself that this wasn’t an interrogation, and I relaxed and was myself.
The good news is I got the job! Even though the other female had more experience than I did, they decided that I was the one they wanted to work with. Being genuine made all the difference.
Letting the interviewer get to know you during an interview and using the key factors as identified can make a huge difference in showing and convincing the interviewer that you are the right person for the job. That is not to say that if you are a quiet, reserved person that you should go into the interview cracking jokes. It is very important to be yourself. If this isn’t the right place for you, it’s better to find out during the interview instead of two or three days, or even weeks into the job. Job fit goes both ways. The idea is to find a place that is the right place for you. A place where you can contribute and stay motivated about what it is you do, as well as what the company does.
Personal traits are the individual qualities that make you who you are. Are you outgoing, and do you tend to jump right in? Or, do you take time to warm up before you let someone get to know you? Do you always think ahead and meet deadlines before they are due? Or, are you a last minute person who gets that rush when working against the clock to meet a deadline? This is not about what’s good or not good; it’s about you and your character. Some jobs fit one type of personality but would be absolutely boring to another person. The idea is to find the right person for the right job so that everyone wins.
Here are some of the attributes that define a person’s personality: dependable, strong, team player, versatile, patient, friendly, energetic, formal, loyal, self-confident, dynamic, practical, sociable, persuasive, responsible, sense of humor, cheerful, good attitude, aggressive, assertive, determined, honest, humble, productive, conscientious, curious, enthusiastic, precise, detail oriented, compassionate, efficient, emotional, rigid, open-minded, and so on.
This is a straightforward question, but if you answer too hastily you may end up sounding like every other candidate. What makes you unique?
Interviewers ask this question for a couple of reasons: to hear where you place the emphasis in your description, and to see how quickly and creatively you can think on the spot. Remember, the interviewer is trying to judge whether you will fit in.
Don’t give the interviewer the same tired, old answers everybody else gives. Try thinking of new ways to get your message across and sound enthusiastic about your personal traits. The following are some examples of boring answers and then better ones to describe your personality.
Boring answer: “I am a high energy person.”
This answer needs more detail and energy.
Better answer: “I am a person who is energized by challenges and problems.”
Boring answer: “I’m a hard worker.”
This is the most common phrase used when answering the question about strengths. It shows no imagination.
Better answer: “I do whatever it takes to get the job done, sometimes working 10-hour days.”
Boring answer: “I am a quick learner.”
This is a very overused phrase that has lost its effectiveness.
Better answer: “I can hit the ground running and come up to speed faster than anyone I know.”
Boring answer: “I’m analytical.”
This is a lackluster answer that doesn’t reveal much information.
Better answer: “I’m known for my ability to analyze data and transform it into useful information.”
Boring answer: “I’m very organized.”
This is a very understated answer.
Better answer: “I am a person who knows how to bring order to chaos.”
Boring answer: “I’m reliable.”
This answer needs more information to get the point across.
Better answer: “I pride myself on my record of never missing deadlines, regardless of what it takes.”
Boring answer: “I’m good with customers.”
The answer needs clarification—good in what way?
Better answer: “I know how to build great relationships with customers. They always ask for me personally.”
Sample job posting:
We are looking to hire 10 additional account managers and customer service positions.
Job requirements:
• College degree (knowledge-based)
• Sales and/or marketing experience a plus, but not a requirement (knowledge-based)
• Integrity (transferable skill or personal trait)
• Exemplary ambition for success (personal trait)
• Competitive and proactive attitude (personal trait)
• Confident demeanor (personal trait)
• Strong student mentality (transferable skill)
This process can also be used as a tool for you to judge whether this is the job you thought it was. Would this job be a good fit for you and your personality? Are you an “action-oriented” person? Have you demonstrated an ability to stay cool under pressure or adapt to stressful situations? If you have, this is good. If you have done this in the past and never want to work that way again, this is not so good.
These factors are clues for what the interviewer is seeking in a candidate, but it also works as a check and balance system to find out if this is the job for you. Do you want pressure and stress in a job? Does that fit your personality? Or, should you pass on this job even though you are qualified? The answers to these questions will be determined by your needs, your situation, and your values.