What are your strengths?
What are your weakness?
Why are you leaving your last position?
Tell me about yourself?
Why do you want to work here?
I am going to share with you insight on all of these questions but not all in one blog. This blog is one out of a series of 5.
The famous question: “What are your Strengths?” Do you know that in my 25 years of recruiting I have never heard anyone say I can‘t think of any. Everyone rambles off 3 to 6 words and then shuts up. For example: What are your strengths? “I am outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic.” What does that mean.... so you’re outgoing, what good is that to me and why is that important to the job that you are interviewing for?
Tell a short story so they can see a picture in their head of what you are saying to them. For example; what are my strengths...One of my strengths is I am a good team player. To give you an example, last week I worked on a project with my co-workers. We were behind and I was finished my part so I asked my team members how I could help. We did what was necessary and made the deadline.
1. Make the answer less than 30 seconds if you can.
2. Repeat back the question to show you were listening.
3. When answering, paint a picture so the person can feel connected to you.
4. Try and use examples that bring in points about the actual job that is open. For example… On the actual job that I was applying for, they wanted a team player that can work well with others. In my answer, I painted that picture for them.
5. Have strong eye contact and smile.
6. Use your body when you answer. Sit forward, talk with urgency, use gestures while speaking.
This is only one of many ways to answer the question, “what are your strengths.” It is a start.
Any questions: To write comments, go to the top of this blog and click on the “comments” tab.
Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300
2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
Reprint Permission Granted* - See details below
*Permission is granted to reprint this article provided that the bio on the side and contact information are included in the publication and a copy of the reprinted article or a link to it is emailed to cindy@gmgweb.com