As the COVID-19 vaccines quickly roll out, there is finally an end in sight. Because of this, companies are going to start hiring again as business restrictions eventually lift and the economy bounces back.
A recent article by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities identified approximately 48 million people lost their jobs due to COVID-19. This means more people are looking for jobs, and the competition may be highly qualified.
Even if you are currently employed, you never know when a better job opening will come available. Because of this, it’s essential to keep your resume up to date and make sure your interview skills are polished.
Be ready for your next job opportunity
With this many people looking for employment, it’s in your best interest to ensure you are ready for the application process. Your preparation should include:
While other people are at home, you should be doing everything you can to educate yourself about future job openings and create networks to take advantage of future opportunities.
Networking and education are two of the best ways to learn about potential openings before they are announced.
Use networking to reveal interview trends
Use insider information to your advantage. If you have identified a potential opportunity with an employer, reach out to people currently or recently who have worked in the position you want.
By speaking with people who work there, they may be willing to share the questions asked of them when they initially acquired the position and the interview process in general. Use these friendships to your advantage.
It doesn’t matter what job you are applying for; there is always one question you should be prepared to answer.
The wording of the question itself may vary slightly, but the answer will always be about the same.
The question you should expect during every interview is:
- Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Other similar questions are:
- Tell me about yourself
- Why do you want to work at this company?
- Why do you want this job?
- Why should we hire you?
These questions are a way for you to talk about the company and how your skills and experiences are the perfect fit. Think of this as the “me” question. Almost every interview will have an open-ended question that lets you talk about yourself and why you’re the best candidate.
The way you answer this question can make or break the interview. If you nail this question, you will significantly improve your chances of moving on in the process.
How to prepare for the “me” question
A great way to think about this question is to tie in your resume’s main points into how they will benefit the company. This is not the time to regurgitate everything on your resume, but rather it’s an opportunity to expand on your cover letter and resume.
Tie in personal examples of situations and experiences you have had in your past and their relation to the new company’s success.
Use an acronym to help you remember
For me, I visualize the acronym “GEEPR” in my mind when I am answering this question to ensure I get all my main points across. GEEPR involves my resume’s main points and reminds me, so I don’t forget any sections.
GEEPR stands for:
- Goals
- Education
- Experience
- Professional Development
- Recognition
By going through these bullet points, I thoroughly answer the question by hitting all the main points of why I’m the best candidate for the position.
What other unique ideas do you use to help you with the “me” question?
Be a good boss to yourself
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