Skills Emphasis?
Skill emphasis during the interview is important to show the employer what makes you different from all the other job candidates. In this competitive world, companies search for the most qualified employees by weighing skills of the candidates and determining how they would benefit the company.
A majority of the top companies search for employees who stand out based on their expertise and ability to initiate and work with new developments. Many of these companies also acknowledge that pleasing personalities would enhance the organization.
Skills are grouped into three kinds: knowledge-based, transferable, and personal traits.
Knowledge-based skills
Knowledge-based skills are those learned from experiences – These may include educational attainment, additional training, seminars attended, and other subjects that you have studied to enhance your expertise.
Knowledge-based skills might also include computer and communication skills, marketing or managerial abilities, product development, and other such acquired capabilities. These skills vary depending on the field or industry of each job candidate.
Transferable/portable skills
Transferable or portable skills are those you bring to a specific job – This is the reason why interviewers ask, “What could you offer the company?” Transferable skills are important because companies strive to look for quality employees that would improve the development of the workforce.
Portable skills include problem solving, team leader potential, organizational, writing and communication skills, customer service oriented skills, time and project management, as well as numbers and budgetary expertise. These kinds of skills vary depending on the experience and versatility of each job candidate.
Personal traits
Personal traits determine who you are – In a job interview, one of the most common things an employer might say is “Tell me something about yourself.” Your response is vital because it would set the tone for the rest of the interview.
Personal traits include good judgment, good organizational tendencies, analytical, goal oriented, flexible, creative and many more. Try to sell yourself in as modest a manner as possible within a limited time frame.
Self-assessment
Self-assessment – In order to provide an impressive presentation, examine your resume and list all the skills you have used for each past job experience. Make a comprehensive list of your skills and strengths including personal traits, knowledge-based and transferable skills. This would be the basis for your personal commercial.
Once you have completed your script, you are now ready to face the interviewer. Remember that employers are interested in your accomplishments, so use words that are concise, direct and clear.
Although many companies require a unique set of skills, you should still highlight your technical skills in the interview. These skills, which top companies usually seek, include leadership, communication skills, confidence, flexibility, problem solving abilities and energy. Emphasizing all of your strengths and skills on job interviews would increase your chances of landing the desired job.
