COMMUNICATING THAT YOU GET ALONG WITH OTHERS
I was
looking over some recent studies and one statistic stands out. Most people who lose their jobs do so because they
cannot get along with others.
As employers look for a match
between people and the job they have to offer, it has always remained a
question to me as to how they determine if the person they are interviewing
will get along with other employees. So,
what technique or techniques do Human Resource Directors, hiring authorities,
and employers use to determine compatibility? What questions do they ask that give them some
clues about you? Do they just operate on
gut level feelings? I am not sure. I do
think, however, that each of you has an opportunity to give employers some
satisfaction that you get along with others.
FOLLOWING ARE SOME WAYS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GIVE SOME PEACE OF MIND
TO EMPLOYERS AND PERHAPS GAIN A LEG UP ON OTHER CANDIDATES:
THE GATEKEEPER: Be sure to make a good impression on this
person. Thank he/she
for any and all accommodations given.
Thank this person on the way out also.
Send a follow-up note or make a phone call thanking this person.
DURING THE INTERVIEW:
● Give instances in which you have taken
leadership roles.
● Indicate if you have been a peacemaker.
● Have you helped bridge the gap between employees and employers?
● Have you been asked to be a team leader or manager of a project?
● Are there honors/awards you have received because of team play,
leadership or management you have displayed?
ON THE INVISIBLE RESUME: When asked if there is
anything else they should know about you, I would suggest that you have
examples that display the information requested above in "During The Interview".
If
asked if there have been difficult work situations that you handled, BE SURE
TO INDICATE How WELL you interacted with
others.
IF ASKED WHAT SKILLS/STRENGTHS
YOU BRING TO THE TABLE - Indicate that
you are a team player and cite examples.
This is an
● For every skill/strength
listed – try to indicate how you have successfully used that skill/strength.
● Indicate mediation processes you have successfully been involved
in.
IF ASKED IF YOU HAVE ASSUMED
LEADERSHIP ROLES - Have examples ready
to give, if possible.
● Indicate problems that have arisen and how
you solved them.
● Any employee
performance problems you have encountered and how you solved them.
● Can you think of major conflicts at work you
have successfully dealt with?
WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS OF SHOWING HOW YOU RELATE WELL TO OTHERS?:
● Perhaps activities outside of work.
● Leadership roles in youth groups, church
groups, and volunteer activities.
SUGGESTED
ACTIVITY: Review "The 20 Toughest Interview
Questions" from Section 8.4 and connect them to any instances where
you have successfully dealt with others.
Some Examples:
● What is your
greatest strength? Possible answer:
"I deal well with others and have done conflict resolution."
● What do you
consider one of your greatest accomplishments? Possible answer: “I mediated a major
dispute and retained a valued customer.
● Tell me about one of the biggest mistakes you
made and how you overcame it. Possible
answer: "The time I organized and met with other managers to solve a
problem."
● Tell me about your accomplishments?
● How would your last
boss describe you? Possible answer:
"Able to get along well with others."
YOU CAN TAKE ANY QUESTION AND
TURN YOUR RESPONSE INTO A SITUATION WHERE YOU HANDLED PEOPLE WELL - you just need to prepare ahead of time by
reviewing possible questions and answers.
Of
course, you need to be truthful. Not all
of us will be able to use some of the suggestions I offer here.
Bob Raikes,
National Certified Career Counselor