Entry-level job seekers rarely have any work history, which can make it very difficult for Hiring Managers to determine future performance. However, these prospective employees often go on to be extremely successful. So, how do you sell your potential without tangible proof?
There are more ways than you may think.
Usually there are three job skills that experienced interviewers will be looking for in beginning candidates. So you, as an entry-level candidate, should be highlighting these job skills during your interviews in order to compete against more seasoned applicants.
But before we jump into the three specific areas where you should focus, I wanted to remind you to be prepared for Behavioral Interviewing. The interviewer will likely ask you situational-based questions and you can give great answers without using business-related examples. By recalling an actual related event, you will give the interviewer a window into your thought process.
1) Time Management & Organization: A good question for this is, “Tell me about a time when you had a big project and how you completing it on time.” Employers learn a lot just by listening to how you internally prioritize tasks and duties to be performed.
2) Problem Solving Skills: Limited work experience or even an in-home or school environment can provide experience for questions such as, “Tell me about a time when you were working on a project and an unexpected problem occurred. How did you initially react, proceed to handle it, and what was the final outcome?”
3) Communication Skills: A lot of these skills can be determined by how you listen & respond throughout the interview. However, a question that can directly address your communication skills without using work experience is, “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a friend or colleague on an important topic? How did you approach this person and resolve the dispute?”
Emotional Skills are also important to evaluate. These abilities are more difficult to determine in interviews but are extremely important to consider when hiring. What do other people think of or have to say about you? Do these remarks relate to your motivation or ethics? Employers will likely ask for references to determine your skills in this area, so be prepared to provide great references.
However, you must not forget just how important the resume is to the first time candidate. We have gaggles of information on how to create a great resume so be sure to check it out. And finally, please invest time in creating quality cover letters to accompany your resume, since these can explain qualifications that may not be evident in a resume with limited work experience.
Considering these tips will help you as an entry-level candidate draw focus on the skills and potential you truly already have, and encourage employers to schedule an interview with you!
Written by Betty Crisp
Investing in a Lifetime of Success,
Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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