From an employer’s point of view, the hiring process always begins with: “We have a problem.” The successful candidate responds with: “I understand your problem and I’m the right person to help you solve your problem.”
The fundamental question this exchange poses is: “How does a candidate’s value exceed his or her cost?”
Answering that question, requires you let the employer know:
1) you can handle the job
2) you have positive work attitudes
3) your personality will be a good fit within the organizational culture
Because past performance is considered to be the best indicator of future performance, it is essential that a candidate has either done similar work for other employers or is currently performing at a level that indicates likely success in the new endeavor.
So how do you demonstrate your competencies? If you’re an entry-level employee, you focus on education completed and/or work experience of any type that reflects goal orientation, discipline, cooperation, adaptability, stability and a host of similar traits that employers value. And you can often find out what those are by asking a hiring manager, “So, what are you really looking for in the person you hire?”
If you’re a professional you focus on results achieved, increasing level of accountability and career progression.If you’re an executive-level candidate, you emphasize depth or breadth of experience, problems solved, challenges overcome, resiliency and value added over time.
If you’re an executive-level candidate, you emphasize depth or breadth of experience, problems solved, challenges overcome, resiliency and value added over time.