There's a song that's been playing a lot lately on the local country station called "Cost of Living." It is about an unemployed Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran going for a job interview. He starts out by telling the interviewer, "Everything you know about me is right here on this page. I got a strong back, steel toes, rarely call in sick, there's nothing I can't drive, nothing I can't fix, what I don't know I catch on real quick. Work weekends, holidays, nights and overtime . . ." As the interview progresses, we learn that he is in desperate straits, "the bank has started calling and the wolves are at the door." He concludes "I've heard a hundred have applied, rumor has it you're only taking five . . ." It's a heart-wrenching song.
But what I am not hearing in this song, and maybe it's not fair to pick on a song, but if I were the person on the other side of the desk, I'd want to know, what besides a willingness, nay a desperation to work, sets you apart from the other 99 applicants who may be just as desperate. Why are you coming here, to this company? And what exactly are you applying for? The job-hunter speaks in generalities, "I can do this and this and this," but nowhere do we hear anything specifically tailored to that job. If the interviewer is "only taking five" it means he or she is pretty choosy.
Here is an actual job opening that was sent to me the other day. It is for an administrative assistant position. Now I realize our job-seeker in the song is looking for blue-collar work, not administrative work, but this should give an idea of what this particular firm is looking for and what they want to hear in the interview.
"QUALIFICATIONS. 2-5 years of Administrative Experience (preferably in an Engineering/Architecture office). Intermediate to Advanced working knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications (candidates will be tested to determine skill level) (In other words, there's no room here for "what I don't know, I catch on real quick"). Strong organizational skills, with proven experience prioritizing work and coordinating multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to communicate openly and effectively both verbally and in writing. Excellent proofreading and back-checking skills. Natural comfort with numbers, basic mathematical calculations, and financial/budget tracking. Exceptional problem solving, critical thinking, and customer service skills. Willingness and ability to take full ownership of assigned work. Innate desire to produce high-quality work with a strong focus on detail and accuracy. Ability to take on new tasks and adapt to different work assignments and personalities. Strong interpersonal, task management, and time management skills. Eagerness for professional growth and challenging work."
Then it goes into the responsibilities which I won't list, my head is spinning enough. But you get the picture. This, by the way, is typical of the job openings that are sent my way. With some modifications, it could describe my own job! It's pretty daunting. I admit I lack some of the qualifications they are looking for, specifically in the math area, but if I were to interview for this job, this is what I would tell them: "I have over thirty years experience handling projects for a wide variety of customers, including the federal government, using both Microsoft and company-derived software. My current job demands that I produce high-quality work with a strong focus on detail and accuracy . . . I have excellent proof-reading and problem-solving skills, and am known as the go-to person when there is a question about how to do something. My boss has also asked me to help train and mentor co-workers. I have had to accommodate multiple projects of varying complexity and shifting deadlines. Many times I have had to prioritize projects and or take on something at the last minute. For example, there was a client who wanted . . . and we were able to fill his request on time so he could make his deadline to the FDA . . . I think this company would be a perfect fit for me because . . ." Ah, but you can't write a tearjerking song about that, can you?
When times were booming at my company I would often have people come up to me and ask me if there were any openings. And I would ask them what their skill level was. Did they even know how to use a computer? Did they have a high school diploma? What kind of reading and math skills did they have? And they would look at me like what does that have to do with anything? Yes, places are hiring. But they are looking for qualified people, not desperate people.
But what I am not hearing in this song, and maybe it's not fair to pick on a song, but if I were the person on the other side of the desk, I'd want to know, what besides a willingness, nay a desperation to work, sets you apart from the other 99 applicants who may be just as desperate. Why are you coming here, to this company? And what exactly are you applying for? The job-hunter speaks in generalities, "I can do this and this and this," but nowhere do we hear anything specifically tailored to that job. If the interviewer is "only taking five" it means he or she is pretty choosy.
Here is an actual job opening that was sent to me the other day. It is for an administrative assistant position. Now I realize our job-seeker in the song is looking for blue-collar work, not administrative work, but this should give an idea of what this particular firm is looking for and what they want to hear in the interview.
"QUALIFICATIONS. 2-5 years of Administrative Experience (preferably in an Engineering/Architecture office). Intermediate to Advanced working knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications (candidates will be tested to determine skill level) (In other words, there's no room here for "what I don't know, I catch on real quick"). Strong organizational skills, with proven experience prioritizing work and coordinating multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to communicate openly and effectively both verbally and in writing. Excellent proofreading and back-checking skills. Natural comfort with numbers, basic mathematical calculations, and financial/budget tracking. Exceptional problem solving, critical thinking, and customer service skills. Willingness and ability to take full ownership of assigned work. Innate desire to produce high-quality work with a strong focus on detail and accuracy. Ability to take on new tasks and adapt to different work assignments and personalities. Strong interpersonal, task management, and time management skills. Eagerness for professional growth and challenging work."
Then it goes into the responsibilities which I won't list, my head is spinning enough. But you get the picture. This, by the way, is typical of the job openings that are sent my way. With some modifications, it could describe my own job! It's pretty daunting. I admit I lack some of the qualifications they are looking for, specifically in the math area, but if I were to interview for this job, this is what I would tell them: "I have over thirty years experience handling projects for a wide variety of customers, including the federal government, using both Microsoft and company-derived software. My current job demands that I produce high-quality work with a strong focus on detail and accuracy . . . I have excellent proof-reading and problem-solving skills, and am known as the go-to person when there is a question about how to do something. My boss has also asked me to help train and mentor co-workers. I have had to accommodate multiple projects of varying complexity and shifting deadlines. Many times I have had to prioritize projects and or take on something at the last minute. For example, there was a client who wanted . . . and we were able to fill his request on time so he could make his deadline to the FDA . . . I think this company would be a perfect fit for me because . . ." Ah, but you can't write a tearjerking song about that, can you?
When times were booming at my company I would often have people come up to me and ask me if there were any openings. And I would ask them what their skill level was. Did they even know how to use a computer? Did they have a high school diploma? What kind of reading and math skills did they have? And they would look at me like what does that have to do with anything? Yes, places are hiring. But they are looking for qualified people, not desperate people.
