The Best Phrases To Use In A Job Interview
Focus on using keywords and phrases, like adaptable and effective communicator, intertwined with relative examples to stand out in a job interview.
Going on a job interview is more than just an inevitability that the vast majority of people will undergo at multiple points throughout their lives. Job interviewing is a highly-cultivatable skill that, if mastered, can serve to propel one’s career forward faster than their peers. That said, acing a job interview is not easy, and to become adept at it takes time and practice, starting with utilizing a few key phrases.
At a job interview, a potential employer will be looking for keywords or phrases that signal to them that you and your skillset align with their company. These keywords and phrases include things like effective communicator, highly organized, and adaptable. However, according to CNBC, it’s not enough to just passively mention these qualifiers in order to really stand out; instead, it’s best to demonstrate that you possess those skills by offering past examples where you successfully implemented them.
For instance, instead of just saying something to the effect of “I’m exceedingly malleable and can adapt to any situation that may arise,” give an example of a situation where you needed to adapt quickly and explain what adjustments you made to do so. This signals to the employer that there is weight and tangibility behind what you are saying.
Additionally, well-thought-out relatable responses can help foster connection and talking points that may not have arisen from a static, one-dimensional answer. Making a personal connection with the interviewer on a job interview can help you to become more memorable than other candidates who failed to do so. After all, humans are social creatures and prefer to hire people they think they will get along with.
Furthermore, practicing giving relevant real-world examples in a job interview can also help you if you are looking to transition out of your current field into another one. This is because when it comes to skills, there is a lot of crossover between industries. Examples can help illustrate to a potential employer which skills are easily transferable from one industry to the next.
As a personal example, earlier in my career, I was a dog groomer. While it may not be immediately obvious, there is a lot of skill crossover between being a dog groomer and being a journalist. Working in a grooming salon required me to constantly adapt and mold to changing situations, communicate effectively, and work on tight deadlines.
I needed to tell pet parents what kind of services I thought their pet needed and why that was the best solution. I had to quickly jump between helping colleagues, answering phones, and grooming my clients. And I needed to do this all in a narrow time window between appointments.
Now, as a writer and editor, I need to relay pertinent information to readers, mentor my team to help them grow their skills, and deliver compelling pieces on tight deadlines. Both fields require the same skills, albeit in different ways and in different settings. But painting that picture during a job interview emphasizes the clear crossover to the prospective employer.
Job interviews aren’t easy. But the more you practice, the better you’ll get at them. And ultimately, using solid examples rooted in key job qualifiers will put you ahead of the game.
