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Are you preparing for your next job interview? If so, make sure that you are prepared to showcase your skills. It is important to have a strong skill set that can set you apart from the competition in today's competitive job market. Here are four skills that you should incorporate into your next interview:
1) Communication
2) Problem-solving
3) Collaboration
4) Adaptability
When highlighting these skills during an interview, it is important to provide examples of when you have used them. The best approach for showcasing your skills is by using the STAR technique.
S – Situation (Describe the situation)
T – Task (What was the task)
A – Action (What was the action that you took)
R – Result (What was the result or outcome)
1. Communication skills
Good communication skills are an essential part of any job and the key to success in many industries. Employers look for candidates who can communicate with their co-workers effectively and convey messages objectively even when emotions may be involved. This type of skill is essential for building solid relationships with your company, co-workers, and clients while increasing employee engagement.
Common Interview Question about Communication
Q: How would you describe your communication skills, and can you give me an example to support your description?
A: I would describe my communication skills as articulate as I am a great listener and absorb the information very well. In my previous role, I had a distressed customer on the phone who needed a specific order delivered to them as soon as possible. The customer had told me that their order did not come in the expected time frame and that they needed it on that day for an important occasion. I apologized for the inconvenience, and while she was very upset, I remained calm and listened carefully to her needs. I communicated what actions I would take to reprocess her order, where she would not be charged and that I would prioritize this with my team and our courier. By effectively communicating with my team, we were able to get the order to her in time. I then called her to confirm if she had received the package and apologized again for the inconvenience. She was extremely thankful over the phone.
2. Problem-solving skills
Candidates with excellent problem-solving skills have a unique analytical and creative thinking combination. They can make decisions with confidence, which helps them rise through challenges within the workplace. These candidates tend to have a high level of attention to detail and, as a result, can quickly identify problems when they arise and determine the most effective solutions.
Problem-solving skills are fundamental to have for any job. Employer's value this type of skill as it shows them that you have more than just one attribute. Your ability to think critically and creatively offers employers a range of other competencies, including logic, creativity, intelligence, lateral thinking, and determination.
Common Interview Question about Problem-solving
Q: Describe a time when you have had to solve an unexpected problem.
A: When I was previously working in retail, a customer had purchased an item online that we didn't have in stock. I contacted another store and requested them to deliver the item to the customer.
3. Collaboration
Collaborating with others is a vital skill for any workplace and having the right collaboration abilities will impress future employers who are searching for candidates who can work effectively in a team. Ensure to provide examples of when you've used this skillset within the workplace to demonstrate your ability to collaborate with others, share knowledge and how you've contributed in ways that everyone has benefited from. For projects or teams to succeed, there must be a diversity of thinking perspectives from which ideas come forward - everyone must be able to drive towards shared outcomes together.
Common Interview Question about Collaboration
Q: What are some approaches you take when collaborating with others?
A: When working as a team, I like to ensure that we’re all on the same page and listen carefully so that our strategies are cohesive. I’m always open-minded and listen to my colleagues when they bring new ideas to the table. I like to take them on board and work effectively with them to create a strategy or method when completing group projects.
4. Adaptability
Adaptability skills are a valuable asset for employers as it demonstrates that you are a fast learner and can adapt to any unexpected changes within the workplace. The ability to adjust your behaviours quickly and seamlessly to meet new demands is a crucial workplace survival skill. Employers look for candidates with this quality who can demonstrate that they'll be able to make quick adjustments on demand. Whether it's changing the way day-to-day tasks are performed or new systems being implemented, you can adapt to them with no issue.
Common Interview Question about Collaboration
Q: Tell me about a time when you have had to adjust to changes within the workplace that you didn't have much control over?
A: My previous company implemented a new management system for our day-to-day tasks. To ensure that I understood the new system correctly, I asked my supervisor to host a training session. They agreed to host a training session with myself, and the team. I was able to ask questions on anything unclear to me, and they walked me through it step by step. By paying attention and taking notes, I had a working knowledge of the system within one workday.
It's no secret that the job market is competitive. With so many qualified candidates vying for a limited number of positions, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and impress an interviewer enough to earn your dream position. If you're preparing for your next interview but aren't sure what skills you should showcase or how best to present them, we've got some helpful tips on showcasing four key skills in detail above. We hope these tips help with making this portion of the hiring process as smooth and successful as possible.
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Contact us below if you need more preparation assistance before going into your next interview; our experts are ready and waiting to work with you one-on-one.