6 things you can say in an interview to make me hire you

Employers interviewing today have lots of choices. When I was running my own communications business, I interviewed scores of potential writers. Here's what I liked to hear from them in an interview.

"I know your business. And I know how my experience can help you."

Explaining the basics about my business wastes valuable interview time. I appreciate candidates who took the time to do their homework. If they come in knowing who our major clients are, what projects we are working on and what we had say about ourselves in publications and online, the interview becomes about. Bonus points if they know trends in the industry. Our interview can focus on what they bring to the table, rather than exchanging factual information.

"I play well with others. I'm a team player."

Gen Y's have a reputation (deserved or not) for being prima donnas. Very few projects are solos. I want to know you can pitch in and work on a team to get work done. I need you to understand that not every aspect of every project is fascinating. To move a project forward, everybody has to be willing to do some of the less glamorous work required. Most of all, I need you to see the succesful outcome as the most important goal, not the egos of individual players.


"I float well. I can adapt as things change."

In the past, employees could count on work being relatively stable. No more. Successful companies need to be able to adapt to changes. For example, when the government put a hold on hiring any contractors, we had several hundred thousand dollars worth of contracts on the verge of being signed. Our employees had to be reassigned to finish other projects quickly so that we could keep the business afloat. I learned that employees with the flexibility to adapt were golden.

"I take a creative approach to roadblocks."

As a busy owner, I need people who are optimistic and regard problems as challenges that we have to be creative about instead of immovable roadblocks. Worst of all are employees that come up with the 5000 ways we can't do something rather than coming up with approaches that allow us to move ahead.

If you're speaking badly about past colleagues, if you're telling me about how boring your last job was, I will not likely hire you. Negativity and the inability to find ways to make your work life interesting are huge red flags.

"I can land running."

When I can see you're ready to start and motivated to dig in, I can begin to imagine you as part of my team. Don't interview with me until you've cleared the stumbling blocks that are sapping your energy. When I can sense your energy level is high, it will make me eager to take you on.

I am sharing with you the things that I look for in an interview, but I don't think my observations are unique. Do your homework and tell me how you can help. Be a team player. Let me see your optimism and motivation. And be really available to dive in. Honestly, I think these characteristics will appeal to most employers.