Dear Readers! The following post is part of the series “The Dream Job is No Accident” by Doria. Today, you can read Part 17. The previous articles can be found using the search function under “Dream Job Series.” The upcoming posts will be published weekly on the blo
- Tell me a bit about yourself! Please don’t just rattle off your resume. To capture full attention, try using the What-For-How model. Here’s an example: I’d be happy to tell you about myself and my organizational talent (WHAT). To show you how I can prepare important meetings for Ms. Mustermeier so she can focus entirely on the content (FOR WHAT), I’ll first explain why I chose to study Business Administration. Then, how I managed organization in my last office. Finally, I’ll discuss the skills I want to bring to your company (HOW). The WHAT indicates what it’s about. The FOR WHAT shows the benefit for the company or the person you’re speaking to. The HOW provides insight into the process and the content you’ll reveal.
- Name a weakness! Reframing is the way to go. This involves giving a situation a new meaning by changing its context. This allows the other person to gain a new perspective. With reframing, you can turn negative perceptions into positive ones. The saying “broken pieces bring luck” is a good example. We shift from the disadvantage (breaking a plate) to the emotional benefit (luck). Choose a weakness you can reframe as a strength. No one benefits from your weakness, so there’s no point in dwelling on it. Alternatively, you could pick a skill required in the job listing (e.g., willingness to travel) and approach it from the opposite angle. For example, “I can’t stand staying in one place” and then build a new story. As a student, I always wanted to vacation in different countries, and my partner complained about my constant desire to move. This now benefits me when I need to travel frequently for work—I never complain, quite the opposite. It’s not about inventing stories! It’s about consciously engaging with your strengths and presenting them in the best possible light. Companies are not interested in your weaknesses; they are interested in the value you bring!
- Why should we choose you? When are stories appealing to us? When they use the right dramaturgy. We are accustomed to this from films and television: Problem, Drama, Turn, and Solution! In our private lives, we are masters of drama. Imagine having an argument with your partner. What do we do when telling a friend about it? We turn a molehill into a mountain! Do the same with your resume. Like the story about graduating and my parents’ financial struggles. “I didn’t start thinking about this only yesterday… I was confronted with this many years ago. Since I not only dealt with this issue during my studies but also actively engage with it privately, you can rely not only on my knowledge but also on me.”
- What are your strengths? Please don’t just list soft skills! Tell a specific story here as well. At my last job, I enjoyed not knowing what tasks would come our way the next day. I found it exciting. Then provide a concrete example!
- What are your salary expectations? Don’t make the mistake of simply stating a sum. Try this approach: Regarding my salary, given my experience in… and the knowledge I’ve acquired in…, as well as the point…, where we agree, I would expect €… Make sure your salary expectations are linked to your competencies. Pay attention to the responses that show interest and enthusiasm during the conversation. Then, mention your unique selling points and the aspects that are particularly well received before stating your salary figure. Let’s stop expecting others, who have never seen us before, to immediately recognize our unique selling points. Honestly, how long did it take you to figure them out?
Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash
