Posted by The workplace is competitive, and more often than not jobs are requiring a combination of skills. Leverage your strengths and skills while keeping the next three tips in mind to pave your own path and reach your goals.
1. Step out of your comfort zone.
Yes, risks are scary, and yes you might fail, but what if you don’t? By taking risks and
doing something that scares you, you’ll find out you are more capable than you think,
and you’ll do the things you once wondered whether or not you were capable of.
Through this you’ll gain the confidence to take on new or uncomfortable situations,
pushing yourself to find what you didn’t even know you were searching for.
2. Ask the right questions in your interview.
An interview is a two-way conversation. You should want it to be the right fit for both parties. Sure, it seems like your dream job and you want to pass the test. But what if it’s not? What if you get the job and realize the position and company are not what you envisioned? While the interviewer is asking you questions that sort of feels like a deep dive into your soul, be prepared to ask the nitty-gritty questions that matter to you. Avoid asking yes or no questions. This will help you gauge the delivery of their response and observe the interviewer’s body language. Do ask questions about what matters most to you in a job or company; What does your day look like? What will impact your overall happiness? Is it a job with flexible hours, or maybe one that encourages collaboration? Is culture important to you? Avoid the generic “google-able” questions. By asking different questions you’ll leave a memorable impression as well as paint a more realistic picture of life beyond the interviewer’s closed door.
3. Be the authentic version of you.
Don’t paint a loftier version of yourself than you truly are. Instead, express the characteristics of the role you desire and be candid about it. No one is perfect, and employers understand that. Candid responses are appreciated as they demonstrate self-awareness and a growth mindset. Yes, work ethic is valued but they also want to get to know the real you. Show them the person that you’ll be every day, not the buttoned-up version of you for the 30 minutes they have you in their office. Your hobbies and personal traits aside from the work environment add to your package, making you a more well-rounded individual that would also be well-rounded in the workplace.
Written by Tatum Whitley, Sales Trainee Recruiter at Shaw Industries. Shaw Industries Group, Inc. supplies carpet, resilient, hardwood, laminate, tile and stone flooring products and synthetic turf to residential and commercial markets worldwide. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with approximately 20,000 associates worldwide. Shaw is headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, with salespeople and/or offices located throughout the U.S. as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, India, Mexico, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
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