Employers want their employees to have drive and determination. They don’t want people who give up when things are difficult, or who can’t be depended upon to carry things through when they aren’t being watched. They’ll be looking for determination in those they interview. Read on to find out how to prove to an interviewer that you have what it takes.
Interviewers want to know that you can bounce back from disappointment. The interviewer may ask about a time when you suffered a setback, and want to know how you handled it. Pick a time in your life when something didn’t work out — it could be a project that didn’t go the way it was anticipated or a job opportunity that didn’t pan out — and talk about what you learned from the experience and how you got on with things immediately afterward.
In addition to wanting employees who can get back up on their feet after things don’t work out, employers also want workers who can overcome obstacles that get in the way of getting the job done. Remember a time when an unexpected problem arose at work, and you were able to improvise and come up with a solution. Or think of a time when there was one key element missing from a project, and you were the one to come up with it. It can be small, as long as it shows that you can deal with the problems that come up in the course of work.
Employers don’t just want to know you handle disappointments, they also want to know that you’ll be able to contribute independently without being explicitly ordered to. Think of a time when you came up with an idea about how to be more productive or efficient at work, and started using it. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just anything that was your personal contribution to improving the workplace.
Finally, during the interview you should show your determination to get the job and do it well. Don’t be overbearing; just be animated and interested when talking to the interviewer. Show that you aren’t indifferent about the job and it isn’t just any other job to you. Even if it really is just another job, employers see their companies as special and want you to see it that way too.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to answer any questions about your drive and determination in the workplace. Your interviewer will see that you are serious about working, and will see the confidence that being prepared gave you.
