What a great month April has been!  It’s time to wrap up Part 5 of the 5 part series “Do’s and Don’ts of an Interview” .  This post will focus on what companies expect from an employee that will stay with their company for an investment period.  Most companies do not suspect you will stay and retire, but they are seeking the potential of 3-5 years and significant contributions.

As a refresher the 5 primary categories I am discussing include:

1. Personality
2. Experience
3. Relationship
4. Communication
5. Long Term Outlook

How do you communicate your intention to stay long-term?  Keep in mind it is a 2-way street, so as a candidate you must look for signs that this is a company you want to invest in.  Two of the primary things I look for are the leadership potential and goal achievers.

Leadership

• You must communicate to employers that you have the ability to lead in some capacity!
• Discuss your involvement as a leader, no matter the roles (no role is too small);
  • sorority/fraternity
  • charities
  • intramural sports
  • church activities
  • clubs/organizations
  • projects

• Leadership and management are two completely different things, be sure you understand and distinguish the differences (check out one of my older post here)
  • Leadership:  to go before or with to show the way, to conduct by holding and guiding, to influence or induce,  to guide in direction, course, action, opinion, etc
  • Management:   The act, manner, or practice of supervision.

• Discuss why people want to follow you (in team settings or when you led a project).
• How do you influence outcomes that are in the best interest of employers?

Goals

• Discuss your short and long-term goals; be ready to explain your plan of achievement.
  • If your goal is management (common response), then discuss the steps you are taking; i.e. reading books (give title of book), taking classes, volunteering to manage projects etc…
• Clearly communicate your professional and personal goals
  • Professional first; discuss your previous career path and key milestones.
  • Discuss why you chose previous employers or positions that tied in to your professional road map.
  • Have a professional road map!
• Achievements
  • Discuss recent goals you have achieved and how you achieved.
  • Don’t be shy, you are in an interview to sell yourself, but don’t be arrogant/blow hard!

Remember, always be honest!  One of the key hurdles you have to overcome (especially if your work history has gaps of employment or short tenure at several companies) is employers expectations of a long-term employee.  The other hurdle is if you have limited/no experience, then you must show WHY you are a long-term investment that will payoff…after all it is business.