What are your greatest strengths?
ISSUE: This question seems like a softball lob. Don’t kid yourself - be prepared. Don't come across as egotistical or arrogant. Humble is out too. In America you're expected to “pitch” yourself.
Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths.
You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrate each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements are ideal.
These should be so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM. You won't get a 2nd chance. Nobody cares about you until after you're hired.
Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up.
As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:
1. A proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.
2. Intelligence...management "savvy".
3. Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.
4. Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with interviewer's team.
5. Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor.
6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.
9. Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.
10. Confident...healthy...a leader.
Compliments of David E Perry and Kevin Donlin. For more creative job search tactics, go to the Guerrilla Marketing for job hunters blog and download the free audio CD.
