You've submitted your resume, waited, and have now been called in for the job interview. Rather than worry over how to answer interview questions, you should focus on only one question. If you know the answer to the most important job interview question, everything else will fall into place. You'll ace the interview and will leap to the top of the list of candidates.
What Employers Look For
In any job application process, you'll have to answer a whole slew of questions. In addition to your resume, you'll probably fill out a lengthy questionnaire, submit a list of references (who will be asked questions about you) and then (if they are interested) answer more questions in a job interview. It's easy to get lost in all that paperwork. Don't lose sight of the main issue.
There are really only a few tangible facts that your prospective employer wants to know about you. Quite simply, the company wants to know the following (in no particular order):
- Will they subject themselves to any legal risk in hiring you? Are you a convicted felon, an illegal alien, someone who might sexually harass other employees, etc.?
- Are you a team player or a chronic complainer and troublemaker? Do you whine, gossip, try to get out of work, put down your employer(s)? Or do you roll up your sleeves and get the job done?
- What is your work ethic? Are you honest and dependable? Are you overly self-centered?
- Are you able to handle the responsibility to which you will be entrusted? Or will you be over your head?
- Do you understand (or will you understand) the company's philosophy, goals, and expectations? Will you embrace them or rebel against them?
- What's your track record? What kind of reputation do you have with previous employers?
Most Important Job Interview Question
When they review your resume and your job questionnaire, they are looking for the answers to the above questions. And all of those questions essentially come down to this....the most important question of them all...How much value will you bring to the organization?
According to bestselling author and leadership guru John Maxwell, one of the indispensable laws of leadership is the "Law of Addition." According to Maxwell, many people hope to "go as far as they can" through their talents and efforts, but "the bottom line in leadership isn't how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others. That is achieved by serving others and adding value to their lives." (Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Thomas Nelson, 2008)
What Maxwell says about leadership can be said about employment. It isn't about how the company can benefit you -- although that is how most applicants see the process. They are, after all, applying for the job to get the pay check. The truly successful employees understand that it's not about their personal checks. Rather, it's about how they contribute to the company.
If you want to ace your next job interview, focus on how you can add value to the company to which you are applying. Once you understand that, emphasize that theme all through your cover letter, resume, job questionnaire, and finally your job interview. You'll quickly find yourself at the top of the list.
