Now,
it's not time to throw your resume in the trash and start a "new age job
search. There are many "secret" abstract, often called
"soft", skills that employers keep an eye out for. Here we discuss
the five key "secret skills" that interviewers examine and how to
demonstrate them in an interview situation.
1.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Unless
you are applying for a job as a mad scientist, organization is an essential
skill for any job. Employers can get sense of how an individual will handle
large workloads by how organized that person is during the interview. Moreover,
a person that makes a sincere effort to stay organized is an employee that will
take a job seriously and make a sincere effort to get things done.
The
best way to display these skills:
• Dress professionally and
neatly for an interview.
• Keep supplies or materials
on hand if you think they might be pertinent to the interview.
This can go beyond
pen, paper, resumes, and business cards depending on the position you apply
for.
• Organize your thoughts
before the interview. Preparation for typical interview questions will reflect
a sense of general readiness.
2.
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Nobody
wants a mindless drone for an employee. If they did, they would buy a robot.
Employers want people that can think on their feet and respond. They are
looking for people that won't come crying with every little setback. They are
looking for problem solvers. Having critical thinking skills means that you can
come through in the clutch.
The
best way to display these skills:
• Prior to the interview,
prepare of a list of anecdotes or previous jobs that required critical thinking
to solve a problem. When applicable, bring these examples up in the interview.
• Talk your way through the
answers. Let the interviewer understand your train of thought when responding to
questions. This can also buy you a little extra time if you are unsure of how
to answer.
3.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Glossophobia,
or the fear of public speaking, is the number one fear in America, but making
an impact requires these skills. Unless you can communicate ideas to others
effectively, you may not come across as very confident. This is precisely why
so many employers ask for individuals with good communication skills, often
including public speaking.
The
best way to display these skills:
• Practice speaking, or
answering interview questions in a mirror. This will get you used to speaking
aloud and let you see the things you may be doing wrong.
• Practice interviews with
another person, so you can learn to keep cool when reacting to another person's
comments.
• Stay calm and ALWAYS
MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. It's hard to disagree with a confident person. Once you
SEEM confident, you hold all the cards.
4.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Along
with being able to communicate your own ideas well, you have to be receptive to
other ideas and work constructively with them. Companies need versatile team
players: people that will work hard on their own and increase the depth and
effectiveness of a group effort.
The
best way to display these skills:
• As in the case of critical
thinking, it is a good idea to prepare a list of examples in which you were
part of a successful team effort. These items may not be on your resume, but
could come up in an interview.
• When possible, reflect back
on cases where you coordinated a team effort. It is one thing to work well in a
group, but it is even better when you show that you can also lead and take
charge of a group.
• Don't be afraid to mention
troubles within a team that you had to overcome. A group of people will not
agree on everything 100% of the time. Being able to work through problems and
succeed is paramount.
5.
MULTITASKING SKILLS
Businesses
are always happy to drive down costs, and the best way to do this is by hiring
fewer individuals who can multitask. It is often the case that one efficient
employee can do the work of two typical employees. Employees are paid for the
hours they work, and employers want to get the most out of what they pay. An
employee that can complete multiple tasks at once is the solution.
The best way to display these skills:
The best way to display these skills:
• When discussing previous
positions held, include situations where you worked on multiple tasks at the
same time.
• Prepare a list of projects
that required you to separate tasks into clusters that could be addressed
simultaneously. Be ready to explain the thinking behind your separation system.
• Show a willingness to take
on many responsibilities. Any worker can pick up one or two, but if you can
pick up more without getting spread to thin, you become a valuable asset.
