Selling ourselves in a job interview

The ominous Nov. 27, 2011, has come and gone. What happens now in the job market will be interesting. However, this situation is really an opportunity for all of us that are seeking a job. But unless we know how to present-sell-ourselves to the prospective employer we will keep looking for a job, never realizing why we are not hired.

The following comments are suggestions that have proven of value when seeking a job. I wish to give credit to Alfred A. Pangelinan of the local Department of Labor from whom I have borrowed the following suggestions.

Let’s begin with ATTITUDE! This is perhaps the most important one. Attitudes are communicated in a dozen ways. It can be verbal or non-verbal. It also is projected from our grooming, our interview preparation, our verbal skills, and body language. It is usually the most important factor during the interview.

SKILLS is another one of the most important traits we bring to the interview. Before applying for any job, know the skills we possess. Sometimes these skills are hidden such as we are good team players or have a good talent for problem solving. Unless we explain them during the interview, the interviewer has no idea that we possess such skills. One of the saddest things we can say to an interviewer is that we are willing to do anything. Wow! What an easy way not to get the job.

Our VERBAL COMMUNICATION reveals our thinking and ability to express our thoughts. Imagine applying for a front desk job and not being able to clearly express ourselves to customers. What is the result? Whatever we say communicates something about us such as our feelings at that moment and our attitude. Even the tone of our voice conveys our inner thoughts and feelings

Our NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION consists of body language. If we slouch while sitting or put our feet up on a chair or desk, or chew or smoke, what are we telling the interviewer? Does good posture or poor posture express the same thing?

A few more quick reminders are:

1. Dress appropriately and brush our hair and have a clean looking face. Ladies, not too much makeup, please.

2. Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer. It will show our interest.

3. Avoid nervous and annoying movements. If we tell the interviewer we are nervous, he will understand.

4. Let the interviewer take the lead. Let him extend his hand and welcome us. Wait until he offers us to sit.

5. At all times be polite and speak in a clear and full voice.

6. Always show good manners at all times which include a “thank you” after the interview.

7. Be business-like, but friendly. It is important to remember that interviews must have a good beginning and a good ending. Often the first and last impressions are what the interviewer remembers most.

The above hints should help make the interview go smoothly for us. However remember we must practice them so that they become natural. Stand in front of a mirror and practice them and also on a friend before heading off for the interview.

An interview is highly competitive. There are many people seeking the same position. Therefore it is imperative that we sell ourselves as the best candidate.

The following is a list of the most commonly asked interview questions. They can also pose the most trouble for us. I strongly advise that we develop answers to these questions and practice them until we feel comfortable with our answers.

1. Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

2. Why should I hire you?

3. What are your strengths?

4. What do you consider to be your major weakness?

5. Why do you have interest in this field?

6. Why did you select this company?

7. What are your future plans?

8. How much do you expect to be paid?

9. Why did you leave your last job?

10.How much related experience do you have?

11. What will your reference say about you?

12. What do you like best or least about your last job or schooling?

The job application form is very important to employers. It reveals a lot about us without our saying a word. The application form helps to screen out weak applicants immediately. Here a few short rules to follow:

1. Be neat and complete as possible. Neatness makes a good impression. It shows that we pay attention to details and are willing to make the extra effort.

2. Be positive: A positive attitude serves us well in every aspect of our job search. Make sure to include all the positive things we have done.

3. Be creative. Look at each space on the application form as an opportunity to present our skills and abilities. But don’t exaggerate.

There are several reason why we search for a job. They are as follows:

1. We want to or need to earn and receive money. We need this money to pay our living expenses and to buy the other things we want.

2. We desire to meet and be with other people. Our job will allow us to make new friends and enjoy other people’s company.

3. We crave a feeling of self-worth when we do a good job. We like the feeling that others count on us. The job is recognized as our accomplishment.

As we prepare ourselves for the job interview, know what we want in our future. Do we like working with our hands? Are we seeking a manual labor job? Do we like providing a service? What type of services do we enjoy providing? Do we want a customer oriented job? Let’s decide before we go job seeking.

There are two types of jobs:

A. Skilled jobs: These are the jobs that require formal education or special training, i.e. dentist, computer programmer, chef, secretary, managerial, accountant and many others.

B. Unskilled jobs: These are the jobs that do not require formal education or special training. You will usually receive training on the job. Some examples are cashier, service station attendant, or a waiter. The pay for unskilled jobs is not as good as skilled jobs. Also promotions may be limited.

However, employers expect high quality work from both of these classified jobs. Our decision on the type of job we want will determine the type of lifestyle we and our family will have. And most important of all, we must find a job that we will enjoy otherwise we will fail and soon quit.

Let me be blunt. Ladies and gentlemen, unless we develop an attitude and a determination to work, we and the CNMI will always be poor. We workers are the backbone of our country. Our willingness to work is the only positive road to economic stability and to our personal happiness.

The government cannot do it for us. Foreign investors cannot do it for us. Only we can do it! Will we continue to stand in line at the food stamp office begging or will be get a job? The choice is ours.

Think about the following quotes:

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”-Confucius

“The minute you begin to do what you really want to do, it’s really a different kind of life.”-Buckminster Fuller

“Love and work, work and love-that’s all there is.”-Sigmund Freud

“The harder I work, the luckier I get.”-Samuel Goldwyn

In closing, I have worked since my youth and in various parts of the world. I am not about to stop because I enjoy it. Work is my pleasure in life and brings me great happiness. If this were not true, how could I talk about it with us? Find a job you love, and love the job you do! Happy hunting!

Don’t forget to smile! Give it to all you meet! Have a great week!

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Pellegrino is a longtime businessman in the CNMI and is the former president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.