How to align your skills with company values and job descriptions..

Job interviews are often stressful and hold what feel like a lot of unknowns. But there is actually a lot which you can prepare for and control when it comes to interviews.

Just as the old adage goes – practice makes perfect! While you don’t want to be practicing so much that it means you are going for so many interviews and no success, once you do a few, you’ll begin to understand how interviews work and that they are actually just as structured as anything!

Understanding how to effectively align your skills with the job description and the company's values is one tactic which can significantly enhance your chances of success. In today's competitive landscape, it's no longer just about your credentials - but your ability to demonstrate how you would be a cultural fit within the company.

Here are some key strategies to help you prepare for aligning your skills with company culture AND job descriptions.

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1. Read, Read and Read again!

It’s imperative that you read the job advert and the corresponding job description multiple times. ?You must take the time to carefully analyse the job description, paying close attention to the required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities outlined in the posting. If you are a traditional paper and highlighting texter kind of person, get out another colour to highlight value points i.e. what kind of strengths and personality are they looking for? What kind of values and behaviours? How would these match with their own company values.

Take the time to research the company's mission, vision, and core values. Consider how your own beliefs and work ethic align with these principles. During the interview, demonstrate your understanding of the company culture and express your enthusiasm for contributing to its success.

Once you have highlighted and extracted the key pieces off the paper, you will be able to craft tailored responses which you can prepare for your interview.

2. Know your transferable skills

These are skills which may or may not feature in job descriptions but they should most certainly be featured within your answers.

Transferable skills are those which can be applied across different roles and industries, which you therefore take with you no matter role you are in. Think about your strengths and what you do well – time management, communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, leadership etc.

1.?????? Write down at least 5.

2.?????? Reflect on your past experiences/roles and identify instances where you successfully demonstrated each of your transferable skills.

3.?????? Now go back to step one and look at what you have highlighted in the Job description.

4.?????? Start to pair up your skills and their respective examples with various points you have highlighted on the job description i.e. how you would use that skill and that particular example with one of the responsibilities you would be managing in this new role. Do this using the STAR framework.

5.?????? Do the same process using their company values. How do your examples of times you have showcased your transferable skills relate to their values

3. Don’t be afraid to brag – with humility!

Some of us do this better than others – talking about ourselves and our achievements. To some, this is uncomfortable.

However, know that in interviews, this is natural – and expected!

During the interview, you will be asked to likely provide examples of your accomplishments that directly relate to the job requirements. Whether it's exceeding sales targets, implementing process improvements, or leading a successful project team – you have to be able to communicate your achievements confidently.

Again, use the STAR framework to structure your responses, ensuring that you use measurable results where possible - numbers and statistics not only lend credibility to your claims.

5. Ask Thoughtful Questions:

The interview is not just an opportunity for the employer to assess your suitability but also a chance for you to evaluate whether the company is the right fit for you.

Usually left for the end of the interview, the hiring manager/interviewer will ask if you have any questions. If you leave answering ‘no’, it may leave the interpretation that you aren’t interested or you were unprepared.

Prepare insightful questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Here are some examples:

-????????? What is the company's long-term goals?

-????????? Who would be part of your team and what are the team dynamics like – what kind of working styles?

-????????? What are the opportunities for growth in this role (but be sure not to allude that you want to move into a senior position too quick – remember, you are interviewing for a particular role and your hiring manager will want to ensure longevity for that role)?

-????????? How does your role contribute to the overall mission?

-????????? What type of impact initiatives do they take part in i.e. community involvement, volunteering etc?

-????????? How would they describe the company’s culture – if there are multiple hiring managers in the room, ask for each opinion.

There is a chance you may prepare for questions and they are already answered – if so, make sure you are transparent that they have already asked the questions they had coming into the room (then list the questions they answered). However, if this is the case, this is the opportunity to use your listening skills. Even if you don’t have any questions left, take the opportunity to ask a question related to a new piece of information you learned in the interview.

i.e. ‘You mentioned earlier that there are 4 people who sit within the team who have various levels of experience, thank you, this was a question I had prepared to ask. I wonder if you could tell me about each person briefly in the team so I could get a feel about how I might integrate with them?’

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Above all, remain true to yourself throughout the interview process. Authenticity resonates with interviewers and fosters a genuine connection. Be confident in your abilities and convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Remember that interviews are not just about showcasing your skills but also showcasing who you are as a person, your values, aspirations and personality.

Approach each interview as an opportunity to demonstrate your valuable addition to the team.

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