Job interviews require a lot of preparation. While you’re busy researching the company culture and your potential compensation, make some time to think about the parts of your career history and skills set that deserve to be highlighted. Remember, though you’re the one being asked questions, you still have plenty of control in guiding the conversation. You want to make yourself memorable for the right reasons. It’s up to you to make that happen.
Here are the 10 things to mention in every job interview.
1. Your teamwork ability.
Hiring managers want to know you know how to work in a team. Very little work in an office environment ends up being solo work; even if you’re working on something by yourself, chances are you’re going to have to communicate it to other people. If you can point to examples of when you worked in a team, and mention that you enjoyed that process, you’re sending positive vibes to the hiring manager.
Sounds something like: “I’ve been lucky enough to work with a great team to produce [product]”
2. Your passion.
How much do you care about what you’re talking about? This is one of the major things you’re being judged on in an interview. Make sure to have a positive attitude throughout the interview and bring up areas of interest that you think align with the position at stake.
Sounds something like: “I’m really interested in [topic/problem]”
Related: The 25 Top Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
3. Your awareness of what’s currently going on with your industry/your potential employer.
Every hiring manager wants to know you’ve done your homework. Weave your knowledge in directly by studying investor reports and press releases for the company, as well as overall trends in the sector; you’ll score big points just by being able to highlight one or two relevant points.
Sounds something like: “I’ve been keeping tabs on what’s been going on with your company…”
4. Your problem-solving ability.
The interview is a time to demonstrate your ability to identify problems and solve them. Be sure to bring up previous examples of how you’ve solved problems, and if you can, mention the problems that your potential employer may be looking to solve in this role.
Sounds something like: “I know you need help with [insert problem here]”
5. Your ability to be in the moment.
Don’t be so prepared and polished that you take yourself out of the moment. Find a way to bring up something about your surroundings — either the office decor, a piece of artwork, an interesting trinket on your interviewer’s desk. Ask a question about it. You’ll find this is an easy way to break the ice.
Sounds something like: “I love that photo. What’s the story behind it?”
6. Your flexibility/adaptability.
Nearly every job requires some degree of flexibility or adaptability, so show you’ve got that skill. As you answer questions, make mention that you’ve been able to wear multiple hats. Even better — if something about the interview itself doesn’t go according to plan, show you aren’t flustered.
Sounds something like: “So then we had to quickly switch gears and…”
7. Your empathy.
See the interviewer as a person. It can be something small: If he or she tells you she’s just getting over a cold, say you’re sorry to hear and that you know something’s going around. Look for ways to be kind.
Sounds something like: “Let me know how I can help.”
8. Your hobbies.
It may sound unimportant, but mentioning your out-of-work interests could be a good way of connecting with the interviewer. If you share similar hobbies, that’s wonderful; if you don’t, it’s at least a good way of showing the interview that you are sociable and ambitious.
Sounds something like: “On Saturdays I do a 9 a.m. spin class.”
