Friday, November 6, 2009

Five Strengths When Asked In An Interview

Communication skills should be discussed during interviews.


Job candidates should be prepared to discuss as many as five strengths during interviews. These strengths can include a combination of abilities, personal traits or transferable skills you learned on previous jobs. The key is to not only mention the strengths but describe how you used them. The best way to demonstrate your strengths is by giving short accounts of how you used them on various projects.


Communication Skills


One strength that bears mentioning is your ability to listen, write and speak effectively. Listening skills are important for managing employees and attending meetings. You must know listen to your employees to choose the right management style. For example, some employees require more autonomy, which can be conveyed through conversation. Managers who attend meetings must listen so they follow the proper instructions in executing projects. Most business professionals also write reports and give oral presentations. Effective writing entails arranging your words in a logical manner for others to easily understand. Employees must also know present their ideas and findings during group discussions.


Organizational Skills


All employees need organizational skills to complete assignments and projects. Most projects are divided into numerous tasks. The key is learning prioritize these tasks so you can complete your projects before deadlines. Most managers, analysts and administrative assistants use physical or online organizers to plan their daily and weekly assignments, as well as monthly calendars for planning events well in advance. Describe to the interviewer how you write down what you need to accomplish each day. Subsequently, explain your system of checking off completed assignments and following up on incomplete assignments.


Flexibility


Situations can change rapidly in the corporate world, or when running your own business. Companies like employees who can adapt to certain changes without issues. For example, a manager of a print shop may decide to change his hours so employees have to arrive one hour earlier. A recently promoted marketing professional may need to increase his travel time to 50 percent from 25 percent, which requires a great deal of flexibility.


Self-Motivation


Self-motivation is also a valuable strength you can discuss on interviews. Companies look for self-starters who show enthusiasm for their work. No boss has time to constantly oversee her subordinates' work. The more successful workers take initiatives to do whatever is required to complete assignments.


Computer Skills


Computer skills are a necessity. You may use computers for writing reports, checking and sending e-mails and calculating sales in spreadsheets. Whatever the case, find out what computer programs are required for the position in which you are interviewing, then explain the types of software you used in previous jobs. Discuss similar software or operating systems you used if they vary somewhat in the new position.







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