Identify the Characteristics to Showcase in
the Interview. What skills and characteristics is the interviewer
looking for? Learn how to identify them and show them off.
Consider a career portfolio as an aid. Interview
Q & A
What are the most Critical Success Factors employers are looking
for, and how can they be incorporated into an interview?
Career experts don't always agree, but here's one expert's
list:
Positive attitude toward work
Proficiency in field of study
Communication skills (written & oral)
Interpersonal skills
Confidence
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Flexibility
Self-motivation
Leadership
Teamwork
Transferable skills
What if you don’t possess all the skills required for
the job? That’s where transferable skills come in. These
are skills you have acquired during any activity in your life
jobs, classes, projects, parenting, hobbies, sports, virtually
anything that are transferable and applicable to what you
want to do in your next job. For job interviewing, be ready
to point out your transferable skills, with examples that
are not always evident from your work experience or education.
Use a portfolio to showcase your strengths
An old job-hunting tool is making a big comeback. For years,
graphic artists, journalists, teachers, and other creative
types have used career portfolios while job-hunting, but it
is only recently that the idea has caught on for all types
of job seekers.
What is a job skill, job-search, or career portfolio? It is
a job-hunting tool that you develop that gives employers a
complete picture of who you are -– your experience,
your education, your accomplishments, your skill sets -–
and what you have the potential to become -– much more
than just a cover letter and resume can provide. You can use
your career portfolio in job interviews to showcase a point,
to illustrate the depth of your skills and experience, or
to use as a tool to get a second interview.
This section will show you how to develop your job-search
portfolio, key elements to consider in developing your job-search
portfolio, and the best resources to explore job-search portfolios
in more depth.
Your biggest time commitment will be the initial development
of your portfolio, but once you've developed it, keeping it
current and up-to-date should be fairly easy. Your two biggest
decisions in developing your portfolio are determining the
format of the portfolio and the organization of the portfolio.
Most experts agree that the portfolio should be kept in a
professional three-ring binder (zipper closure optional).
You should include a table of contents and use some kind of
system -– such as tabs or dividers -– to separate
the various parts of the portfolio.
Beyond the traditional portfolio, if you have access to space
on a Web site, also consider developing an online Web-based
portfolio.
Once the development is complete, you then have to gather,
write, copy, and assemble the material that goes in the portfolio.
This process will not only result in a professional portfolio,
but should help you be better prepared for your job search.
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