Show your value to interviewers, managers, and other decision-makers.
At some point during the hiring process, your actions and answers should demonstrate to the hiring decision maker that the answer to each of the following questions is “Yes.”
- Will you reduce the number and severity of hassles they must deal with? Will you avoid being the reason they lose sleep at night, or worry about problems at work over the weekend?
- Will you be reliable? Will you show up to work on time every day in a condition to do your best? If you have an unexpected emergency or illness that prevents you from coming in, will you let them know in accordance with company policy?
- Will you be a team player? Will you treat co-workers, customers, and the public fairly and with respect? Employers do not want to worry that you will be the cause of friction, disruption, discrimination or sexual harassment charges, customer complaints, or ethical issues.
- Are you willing and able to learn about the culture in the new workplace and then do your best to fit in?
- Will you make them look good in front of their boss? Are you willing and able to understand the metrics by which your team or department is judged and then help your supervisor and your co-workers achieve them?
Interview responses that show value to hiring managers
“For the past three years I showed up every morning at 5 a.m. for physical training; arriving at 6 a.m. for the start of your first production shift will be an easy adjustment for me.”
“I transferred five times in the past seven years, and I learned how to quickly understand the work setting and integrate myself with my new colleagues.”
“Each time new supervisors were assigned to my unit, I sat down with them to discuss their expectations, priorities, and how I could best support them.”