On Job Interviewing Smart employers hire you, not because of what you have done, but because of what they think you will do.
What you have done is only one indicator of what you will do.
If you have relevant experience: use it to add substance to what you will do in the new job.
If
you do not have relevant experience: use other means to convey that you
understand the challenge of the job and are equipped to do it. That in
addition to your understanding of the job, you bring specific
additional assets to the table that will enable you to be successful.
E.g.:
- Question: What experience do you have in analyzing 'recipe ingredients'
- Answer: I realize the job requires the ability to analyze "nutrient
value of recipe" [RhbNote: notice I did not say the job requires
Experience this subtle shift in words places the emphasis on where it
belongs -- ability]. Analyzing ingredients, involves determining
confirming the ingredients using standard lab techniques and looking up
the appropriate nutrient values in the ... tables ... such as those in
... book. [RhbNote: by explaining how you would do the job, you have
established at least a base level understanding of the process]. The
difficulty arise in making judgment calls about the effect of
processing on the ingredients and ... [RhbNote: by reference the
subtleties you demonstrate an deeper awareness]. I realize I will have
to work extra hard to develop the finesse [RhbNote: a legitimate, but
correctable concern] ... but as you will hear from my references I am a
hard work and I won't disappoint you in this regard [RhbNote: I
personally tend to favor someone who understands their weaknesses and
are prepared to address them; but notice this last clause was inserted
to finish the sentence not on a possible weakness, but on a strength]
Please, please bear in mind that normally the goal is to get a job you will be successful
in; not to just get a job. Your goal is not to mislead; but rather put
your strengths and weaknesses in perspective so that you and the
employer can reliably evaluate your fitness for the job.
Preparation is the key to a good interview. If you are not an expert
in the subject are, talk with someone who is. They can give you
subtleties, indicate critical skills as well as determining whether you
really are qualified for the job.
Rhb
11:26:57 PM 
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