A doctor goes to the office with his medical bag.
A pilot boards an airplane with his flight bag.
A schoolteacher enters the classroom with her book bag.
And a job seeker should face a potential employer with an interview tool bag that is well stocked, in good working order, and ready to use. The following "3 C's" are essential to every job seeker's tool bag... don't leave home without them!
Tool #1: Courtesy
Approach the employer with a warm smile, a sincere handshake, and look him or her in the eye. Consider that man or woman a new friend—someone to respect, appreciate, and listen to. Take a deep breath and be yourself. In other words, be polite, kind, and attentive.
Tool #2: Clarity
Come prepared with clear examples that demonstrate your experience and skills on the job. In other words, if you are hoping to land a position as an administrative assistant, talk about what you've done professionally that equips you for this new job. Do you have a couple of true-life stories about times when you 'saved the day' or took charge in a crisis or helped your superior finish a project in the nick of time or earned a reward for completing a difficult task without assistance? Hiring managers don't want to listen to a laundry list of boring statistics. They are looking for real flesh-and-blood experiences that indicate what you can and will do if you are hired. And they want to hear these stories spoken clearly and concisely.
Tool #3: Commitment
Impress the hiring manager by reciting the company's mission statement! Speak to your dedication and enthusiasm for helping the leadership team attain their goals. Be sure the employer knows you are committed to the organization's philosophy and follow-through and that you'll do your part and more to support these ideals while doing your job and while interacting with other employees. State what you want and need and what you can and will do to advance the company and increase profits.
With the "3 C's" working for you, you'll increase your chances of a new job offer immensely.
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Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,
Job Interview "Secret"