Eight Skills You Don't Think About in Interviews
18 December 2014
Read by 3264 persons
Good mood, humility, boldness... What if you innovated by unearthing original skills? Behind a well-polished resume, HR and managers like to discover, during interviews, the richness of a personality. Expert advice.
A job description doesn't tell you everything a recruiter is looking for in the market, especially in terms of "soft skills", human and interpersonal qualities. They have unclear, even subconscious expectations, experts observe. "However, in interviews, too many candidates simply go point by point through the wording of an ad," deplores Emmanuel Stanislas, founder of the recruitment firm Clémentine. They have the right words, the right answers as if in front of an exam board. As a result, they seem bland, or even empty in the eyes of HR and managers. Applicants should reveal themselves to add depth to their profile."
Avoiding common terms - "rigorous, adaptable, dynamic, team player" - is also the advice of Fabrice Coudray, director at Robert Half. "You have to dare to venture into the personal realm while remaining authentic, with real-life and relevant examples," he insists. Before any meeting, it is best to identify and list, with the help of others, those human qualities that define you. You will sprinkle them into your speech naturally. Here are eight, appreciated by employers provided they don't go overboard.
1. Good mood
"The pleasure aspect is highly expected," assures Emmanuel Stanislas, "even if HR professionals concerned with well-being at work don't put it that way." Making people laugh, being able to relax the atmosphere, showing humor appropriately is an asset. It helps a team get through difficult times and allows them to take things in stride. In addition, such a gift attracts, people follow the life of the party thinking "with him, we'll have a good time." You could say: "I'm a cheerful guy." Or "For me, the quality of the atmosphere is important," or even "I have a playful spirit."
2. Humility
"At LVMH, for example, or other international groups, this is a primary quality," says Catherine Euvrard, CEO of the executive search firm CE Consultants. We don't value employees who act alone, ready to crush others to succeed." Even if we approve of the talent of knowing how to sell yourself. When you explain your great successes and your ambitions, add "I know what I'm worth, but I will always remain humble."
3. Boldness
"What's the most daring thing you've ever done?" Olivier Dézé, associate director of the William Saint-Clair group, almost systematically asks candidates this question. "Daring, taking risks is a valued skill among salespeople, but not only," he explains. "The company needs people who experiment, who innovate, everywhere." "Boldness is what's missing the most," observes Catherine Euvrard. Many of those I receive are in the "not": "I can't," "I don't know"... Without going as far as transgression, being able to approach things differently is a plus." Say: "I like to shake things up to move forward" or "I like to think outside the box."
4. Emotional stability.
Knowing how to leave your private worries at the door, managing your stress or calming your anger are qualities to highlight. Nobody wants to share an office with a hothead, especially since HR departments are attentive to psychosocial risks. "The manager capable of being firm when things are not going well and of immediately regaining a smile once things are said shows that they know how to neutralize their negative emotions and that they have great intellectual agility," summarizes Fabrice Coudray. Which doesn't mean lacking sensitivity. Illustrate this aspect with situations.
5. Endurance
Suggesting that you are able to work at a frantic pace to achieve a result will be frightening. Because suffocation and burnout are not far off. "However, knowing how to pace your efforts or give an extra push when needed is a sign of maturity," emphasizes Fabrice Coudray at Robert Half. "This reassures the recruiter who knows that the candidate will not stop a project mid-way." Specify rather, "I have a high work capacity that I manage."
6. Attention to detail
The ability to synthesize is a classic in the presentation of one's skills, but if it goes hand in hand with the art of verifying and validating in all aspects the quality of one's production, it's better. Because sometimes subjects are skimmed over, botched, and the company likes solid, serious work. "In addition, the manager who is in this position is also likely to have it for those who hold lower positions," emphasizes Fabrice Coudray. A safety net for the hierarchy. So say: "I like to check behind the comma." Or: "I'm meticulous about complex files."
7. Confidentiality
"Gossip is the evil of the century," believes Catherine Euvrard, at CE Consultants. "We tell everything to everyone. So knowing how to keep your mouth shut about sensitive information is highly appreciated by my clients." Don't you participate in office gossip? Don't you steal your neighbor's ideas? Don't you spread rumors? Show your colors. "I am someone who can be trusted" or "I am loyal, I act with complete transparency."
8. Passion
It's not enough to list your hobbies to make contact and seduce your interlocutors. They want to identify your true driving forces in life. Stamp collector or aeromodelling enthusiast, reveal what makes you vibrate in this activity. "Listening to an animated account, you get two things," explains Fabrice Coudray: "the candidate can commit themselves in the same way in their profession and they can recharge their batteries outside the office." Live your subject, be enthusiastic. Speak from the heart, it's your best weapon.
Marie-Madeleine Sève.
Lexpress.fr
Published December 11, 2014.
Posted online December 18, 2014.
A job description doesn't tell you everything a recruiter is looking for in the market, especially in terms of "soft skills", human and interpersonal qualities. They have unclear, even subconscious expectations, experts observe. "However, in interviews, too many candidates simply go point by point through the wording of an ad," deplores Emmanuel Stanislas, founder of the recruitment firm Clémentine. They have the right words, the right answers as if in front of an exam board. As a result, they seem bland, or even empty in the eyes of HR and managers. Applicants should reveal themselves to add depth to their profile."
Avoiding common terms - "rigorous, adaptable, dynamic, team player" - is also the advice of Fabrice Coudray, director at Robert Half. "You have to dare to venture into the personal realm while remaining authentic, with real-life and relevant examples," he insists. Before any meeting, it is best to identify and list, with the help of others, those human qualities that define you. You will sprinkle them into your speech naturally. Here are eight, appreciated by employers provided they don't go overboard.
1. Good mood
"The pleasure aspect is highly expected," assures Emmanuel Stanislas, "even if HR professionals concerned with well-being at work don't put it that way." Making people laugh, being able to relax the atmosphere, showing humor appropriately is an asset. It helps a team get through difficult times and allows them to take things in stride. In addition, such a gift attracts, people follow the life of the party thinking "with him, we'll have a good time." You could say: "I'm a cheerful guy." Or "For me, the quality of the atmosphere is important," or even "I have a playful spirit."
2. Humility
"At LVMH, for example, or other international groups, this is a primary quality," says Catherine Euvrard, CEO of the executive search firm CE Consultants. We don't value employees who act alone, ready to crush others to succeed." Even if we approve of the talent of knowing how to sell yourself. When you explain your great successes and your ambitions, add "I know what I'm worth, but I will always remain humble."
3. Boldness
"What's the most daring thing you've ever done?" Olivier Dézé, associate director of the William Saint-Clair group, almost systematically asks candidates this question. "Daring, taking risks is a valued skill among salespeople, but not only," he explains. "The company needs people who experiment, who innovate, everywhere." "Boldness is what's missing the most," observes Catherine Euvrard. Many of those I receive are in the "not": "I can't," "I don't know"... Without going as far as transgression, being able to approach things differently is a plus." Say: "I like to shake things up to move forward" or "I like to think outside the box."
4. Emotional stability.
Knowing how to leave your private worries at the door, managing your stress or calming your anger are qualities to highlight. Nobody wants to share an office with a hothead, especially since HR departments are attentive to psychosocial risks. "The manager capable of being firm when things are not going well and of immediately regaining a smile once things are said shows that they know how to neutralize their negative emotions and that they have great intellectual agility," summarizes Fabrice Coudray. Which doesn't mean lacking sensitivity. Illustrate this aspect with situations.
5. Endurance
Suggesting that you are able to work at a frantic pace to achieve a result will be frightening. Because suffocation and burnout are not far off. "However, knowing how to pace your efforts or give an extra push when needed is a sign of maturity," emphasizes Fabrice Coudray at Robert Half. "This reassures the recruiter who knows that the candidate will not stop a project mid-way." Specify rather, "I have a high work capacity that I manage."
6. Attention to detail
The ability to synthesize is a classic in the presentation of one's skills, but if it goes hand in hand with the art of verifying and validating in all aspects the quality of one's production, it's better. Because sometimes subjects are skimmed over, botched, and the company likes solid, serious work. "In addition, the manager who is in this position is also likely to have it for those who hold lower positions," emphasizes Fabrice Coudray. A safety net for the hierarchy. So say: "I like to check behind the comma." Or: "I'm meticulous about complex files."
7. Confidentiality
"Gossip is the evil of the century," believes Catherine Euvrard, at CE Consultants. "We tell everything to everyone. So knowing how to keep your mouth shut about sensitive information is highly appreciated by my clients." Don't you participate in office gossip? Don't you steal your neighbor's ideas? Don't you spread rumors? Show your colors. "I am someone who can be trusted" or "I am loyal, I act with complete transparency."
8. Passion
It's not enough to list your hobbies to make contact and seduce your interlocutors. They want to identify your true driving forces in life. Stamp collector or aeromodelling enthusiast, reveal what makes you vibrate in this activity. "Listening to an animated account, you get two things," explains Fabrice Coudray: "the candidate can commit themselves in the same way in their profession and they can recharge their batteries outside the office." Live your subject, be enthusiastic. Speak from the heart, it's your best weapon.
Marie-Madeleine Sève.
Lexpress.fr
Published December 11, 2014.
Posted online December 18, 2014.
