#JobInterviews #interviewers #applicants #skills #employers #employees

In any job interview, the applicant wants to impress.

In the past, it was thought that being conservative, looking good and answering questions politely was the way to go.

The applicant’s posture was, more or less, quiet confidence. The interviewer held most of the power.

In today’s job market, the prospective employees have more power. They should size up the employer as much as the employer evaluates them.

Experts say that employers need the employees as much as the employees need jobs – perhaps even more so.

So, when approaching a job interview, an applicant should ask as many questions as he or she answers.

The applicant may have quiet confidence, but can be more demonstrative with his or her confidence, experts say.

Employers, too, are looking for “soft” skills – friendliness, the ability to work with others etc. – as much as they are looking for job talent.

Applicants should demonstrate those soft skills as well as their talent.

Remember, the employers who just want you to be grateful they are offering you a job are probably not the ones you want to work for.

A job is not just a paycheck. It is a lifestyle. If the expected lifestyle doesn’t fit your needs, walk.

Therefore, employers have to be tuned in to the expectations of employees. If one hires someone who ultimately doesn’t want to be there, or is hampered by outside obligations, like children, they may not give the employer what he or she wants from him or her.

Given the worker shortage and people’s need to earn a living, both sides have to be flexible to match the proper job with the appropriate worker.

Most employees want to be good, productive workers in good work situations. Employers have to, perhaps, be less rigid in their requirements and compensation, and more adaptive to the needs of workers if they want to keep good people.

Certainly, not everything can be determined by resumes and interviews. A person can look great on paper, say all the “right” things in an interview, and either be a total bust or bolt after a couple of days.

Applicants should presume that, if they take a job, it will work for THEM, as well as their employers.

The lessons here are that potential employees, in today’s market, have choices. Employers need help, in most cases.

Job applicants should be themselves, to a great extent, in an interview. Interviewers should not just be box checkers when analyzing applicants.

Flexibility on both sides finds good fits.

Peter