Posted on: Monday, August 30, 2004

Make most of interview by emphasizing 'soft skills'

By Carol Kleiman
Chicago Tribune

A highly popular job interview question that really stumps job seekers — and it's second only to being asked why you left your last job — sounds quite innocuous and even user-friendly on the surface.

It's: "Tell me about yourself."

And if you're not prepared to answer it clearly and briefly, it may be the end of your chance to get the job.

"The question is very common and employers can ask it in various different ways, but it's still the same question," said John Karras, director of career services for Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University, based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.

"They might ask, 'Why should I hire you rather than the next candidate I talk to?' And what they're really saying is, 'I'm going to give you a little bit of time to tell me anything you want.' "

Karras, who has a bachelor's and master's degree in organizational communication and has been at DeVry since 1989, acknowledges that most job candidates hate this question, but it's really a friendly one: "They're allowing you to say anything you want — and I would love that opportunity in a job interview."

The career counselor, who previously was director of a state-financed dislocated-worker program and also was an executive recruiter, emphasizes that you should be able to answer the question in "30 to 60 seconds."

In that time frame, he adds, you have to "concisely convey your interests, abilities, character, personality and what you're looking for."

When Karras coaches job applicants to prepare for that moment, he encourages them to use that short time to emphasize their "soft skills" in their brief opening statement. "List your personal points of marketability, your organizational and leadership skills, your dependability and flexibility — you as a person, rather than your job experience," he said.

But what will separate you from the others, the director adds, is "proof that you indeed have the skills. The proof will get you the job."

"If you say you have excellent time-management skills, your next words should be: For example, I held a part-time job while taking college courses."

Ascertaining your soft skills is a necessary step to take so that you can use the time you have to your advantage. "Think back on your life experiences," Karras said. "Do a brainstorming exercise and pinpoint your personal points of marketability."

If you're applying for a sales position, the director suggests the one soft skill you most likely would want to emphasize is your communication skill; an accounting job, that you are analytical and detail-oriented; and for most entry-level jobs, that you are absolutely dependable.

"Just give the top one or two skills in your reply — you can get to the others in the rest of the job interview," he said. "Know going in which they are."

When Karras was interviewed for his job at DeVry, the first question he was asked was, 'What's your story?' "I said I have excellent time-management skills and gave examples," he said. "And then I was given time to talk about the other soft skills I had listed. By the time I was done, I was sent to the next level. And got the job."

Here are some suggestions I have about what to say in that less than one-minute window of opportunity:

"I am kind to my parents."

"My dog loves me."

"I donate blood."

"I help people across the street."

And most important of all: "I'm someone who really needs a job!"