How to establish that you are better qualified than other job seekers

Confiance Career Connection LLC

How to establish that you are better qualified than other job seekers

By Daniel M. Rover, CEO

Interviewers often ask a job applicant to set herself or himself apart from other applicants.  Here are some tips on how to deal with such questions.

1. Describe a specific project that you handled well.  Think of a time when you used your work skills to achieve success at a specific project.  Describe the project, what you did to address the situation and the positive outcome that came from your work.

• Provide examples of your work.  Specific examples are best.  Come up with stories that show your qualifications in action.  This is your opportunity to make a solid, lasting and positive impression.

• Focus on the employer.  Talk about how you can contribute to the success of the team with the experience and skills you will bring to the job.

• Keep it short and to the point.  Be specific but do not ramble.  A good interviewer will have numerous questions, so pause from time to time.  Do not risk boring the interviewer to death.  Listen as much or more than you talk.

• Don’t be overly modest.  This is your chance to sell yourself and a time to be confident about your strengths and experience. Be positive, make eye contact and speak clearly.

• Cite specific skills you’ve developed and used to be successful.  Talking about real-life and real-job experience will make a good impression on an interviewer.

• Think of ways to outshine competing candidates.  Consider what others might say in answering similar questions. 

•  Celebrate success.  Just like you would in the office, having fun and sharing the team’s success is an important tool and morale booster.

Knowing how to answer the “what sets you apart” question can help make a good impression and lead to a job offer.  Good luck in using these tips toward a successful job application.