Employment Skills and Competencies
If you are intimidated by the number of questions and having to remember good answers during a job interview, you aren't alone. Who wouldn't find this task a bit daunting?
Employers all have similar needs in any position that they hire for, these are called basic job competencies.
Look the job description for the job you are interviewing
for, you'll see essential job functions. These are more specific
competencies based on the job you're seeking.
Here are some that are included in every job.
Communication
-Communication is a two-way street, one person sends a message, the other receives it and it's important to hear both sides, to truly understand the message.
-Interviewers are usually very good at communicating; being very clear in their message and they're attentive listeners-- do the same.
-Be a great listener, even though this is your interview, be responsible for understanding the message being sent to you. Demonstrate your ability to communicate.
-Think about your response, construct your message in your mind and be accurate in your response.
-Use experiences in communication in your answers to covey your ability to develop working relationships.
Teamwork
-Teamwork involves the common effort of a group of people toward a specific goal...the goal may be the mission of your workplace.
-There are phases that a team goes through, the forming stage, the storming stage, normalization stage, and the performing stage. Much of the trouble with teams develops in the storming stage.
-In your interviews, use teamwork and your role as a team member to convey how you help normalize the other members so that the team can begin performing as a team. Essentially, you serve to take the team out of the "storming" stage.
Problem-solving
-There are systems designed to make problem solving easier, research a few to determine which suits your talents. Primarily, 1) understand problem, 2) research options, 3) decide on best option, 4) implement.
-Use problem solving in interviews when the "How would you do..." kind of question arises.
Initiative and enterprise
-Supervisors enjoy subordinates that are able to work autonomously, without going beyond their authority. This level changes as the new employee becomes more familiar with the job.
-Each position enjoys a different level of autonomy, ask the interviewers how much initiative the position will have.
Planning and organization
-There are a number of planning methods that you could adopt, but essentially they have similar components.
1) Determine your current situation, 2) Define where you need to be) Evaluate the gap between where you are and where you need to be, 3) Develop plans to close the gap.
-Systems also have similar components and your planning can be adapted to meet the needs of a system. Practically every system contains, people, plans, power, process, and paperwork. Include these categories in your plans.
Try and memorize these employment skills competencies
Self-management
-Understand that you must abide by the rules of politics, office politics, social politics, etc.
-Stress can be managed through practice and refocusing into positive energy
-Time management is essential to success
-Neatness will allow you to work most efficiently.
Learning
-You never stop learning, even after you attain a college education
-Sometimes you have to halt everything to "sharpen the saw" (one of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) because cutting trees with a dull saw is a waste of time.
Technology
-Face it, the modern workplace has technology all over the place.
-It is difficult to hire or promote someone that has poor technology skills
-Employers translate a lack of technology skills into training time for employees. And there's a risk the employee can't be trained.
Use your knowledge of
the competencies when completing your application, resume and follow up letter.
To see sample job documents,
head over to this page.
The Interview
- Weave the use of competencies into the interview process.
Still haven't found what you're looking for?