5 Skills Interviewers are Looking for in a Candidate
“You are NOT what you think you are, but what you think – YOU ARE. “– Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Are you thinking about what an interviewer looks for during an interview or what you should do to get him to hire you?
Here are the top 5 traits interviewers look for:
1. Attitude
In a jungle giraffe is the tallest animal, the rhinoceros is the heaviest animal, the fox is the intelligent animal, the elephant is the largest animal but still, Lion is the king of the jungle. Why? It’s because of his ATTITUDE!
Life is not a Straight Line
Be the kind of person who dares to face life’s challenges and overcome them rather than dodging them. Life is not easy for anyone. If you want to be successful in life you have to have a problem-solving attitude. You have to work on building this attitude. Interviewers and employers love to see this attitude in a person.
2. Confidence
Employers are looking for confident employees. The way you greet and the way you talk during your interview, you are getting judged on your confidence. You have to believe in yourself first before others believe you. You can get this confidence by practicing more and more mock interviews with your friends or experts or in front of the mirror.
3. Get out of your comfort zone – be adventurous
Learn new skills, keep upgrading yourself. Do mention this in your interview. the challenges which you are going to face at work will be all new. This attitude of learning new skills will keep you moving upward at work.
Have an adventurous attitude and keep exploring new things and skills out of your subject and syllabus.
Once I had two resumes of engineering graduate. Both had got good marks in their subjects first one has done only engineering studies while 2nd one has done 4 interns projects outside the engineering subjects. Definitely, I called 2nd one for the interview first as she has done well in her studies at the same time and has not wasted her time and put in the effort to learn new skills.
4. Sell yourself
Prepare a 2-3 minutes script about what you’ve done, what makes you perfect for this role, and why. Let’s understand that it’s not boasting about yourself but it is being confident about yourself. Do this by talking about your own past experience. Try to describe yourself in 3 adjectives that match the job profile. Never overdo this.
5. Be human
Recent studies show that IQ accounts for only 20% of our success in life. The other 80% of what we achieve can be attributed to our EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE or EQ. Now here is the most exciting news for all of us. EQ, unlike IQ, can be improved at any time during our lives. Which means we can control 80% of our achievements. The rise of AI makes emotional intelligence more important. Skills like persuasion, social understanding, and empathy will become a differentiator as artificial intelligence and machine learning take over our other tasks. (Reference here)
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is PRACTICE!
Master list of Skills Interviewer are looking at
Interviewers typically look for a combination of technical, interpersonal, and soft skills when evaluating candidates. The specific skills sought can vary depending on the job and industry, but here are some commonly valued skills:
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Active listening skills to understand instructions, feedback, and collaborate effectively.
Problem-Solving Skills:
- Analytical thinking and the ability to approach challenges with a logical and creative mindset.
- Capacity to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently.
Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Ability to work effectively in a team, communicate with team members, and contribute to a positive work environment.
- Flexibility and adaptability to different team dynamics.
Adaptability and Flexibility:
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new situations, technologies, and methodologies.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing work environment.
Technical Proficiency:
- Job-specific technical skills and knowledge relevant to the industry.
- Proficiency in using relevant tools, software, and equipment.
Leadership Skills:
- Ability to take initiative and lead projects or teams.
- Effective decision-making and the capacity to motivate and inspire others.
Time Management and Organizational Skills:
- Efficiently managing time, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
- Organizing tasks and responsibilities in a systematic manner.
Attention to Detail:
- Precision and thoroughness in completing tasks without compromising quality.
- Minimizing errors and maintaining high standards of work.
Customer Service Orientation:
- Understanding and meeting the needs of clients or customers.
- Developing positive relationships with clients or customers.
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills:
- Ability to handle conflicts diplomatically and find mutually beneficial solutions.
- Negotiation skills for achieving favorable outcomes in various situations.
Initiative and Proactive Attitude:
- Demonstrating a proactive approach to work by taking the lead on tasks and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Willingness to go above and beyond assigned responsibilities.
Cultural Fit:
- Alignment with the company's values, culture, and mission.
- Demonstrating a positive attitude and the ability to work well with others.
Tailor your responses during interviews to highlight these skills, providing specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your proficiency in each area.
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