What Interviewers Want From You

You just got a call to schedule an interview with the hiring manager of your ideal company. The only problem is, you're not prepared.

The good news is that interviewers are generally looking for a few things when they interview candidates. If you can successfully demonstrate each of these four areas, you'll be in good shape during and after the interview.

You Are Who You Say You Are. If your resume states that you are a seasoned software developer or that you're a master at Microsoft Excel, be prepared to back up your claims with examples. Avoid that warm feeling inside when you're caught in a lie and be prepared to demonstrate everything that you list on your resume.
You're A Problem Solver. Companies hire people to help address a specific pain point in the organization. Find out what that pain point is, preferably before the interview, and provide the interviewer with examples from your previous jobs or educational experience that demonstrate your ability to solve similar problems.
You Have Great Communication Skills. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The interviewer wants to know if he/she hires you on the team, will you be able to communicate problems and ideas effectively to other employees? Can the interviewer trust you to build great internal and external relationships with his/her customers? Provide the interviewer with examples of how you used communication to successfully lead a team or project. You should focus on work related stories. If you are recently out of school, you may use a school related example.
You're A Good Cultural Fit. This is one area that is beyond your control. Even if you manage to fly through the interview and answer every question perfectly, not being a good cultural fit for the hiring manager's team or company, will result in you not being hired. The interviewer is looking for someone who can blend in well with the organization and not someone who will be a liability in the long run. Before you interview, visit the company's website to learn more about the company culture.

It's almost impossible to determine what exactly the interviewer will be asking you. However, by approaching the interview addressing the interviewer's wants, you'll be moving one step closer to your dream job.

Resume, interview and other career-related articles written by Tony Lim of Jobonomics.com <http://www.jobonomics.com/> . Empowering Job Seekers.