Understanding the importance of skills for interview success
When applying or interviewing for a role, one of the most important things employers look for are your skills and how they relate to their position. Knowing how to answer questions about skills can show interviewers you have the experience and knowledge to deliver results in their role and can help you stand out at interviews to increase your chances of landing your dream job. Here we show you the importance of skills-based interview questions and provide an extensive list of skills to mention during an interview.
Why do interviewers ask about skills?
Interviewers ask about skills for several reasons, including:
Determine your suitability for their role
The most important reason for asking candidates about skills is to determine whether they are a good fit for the organization’s role. Interviewers use skills-based questions to find out whether you and your skills align with the requirements of their role. If you read the job description carefully and researched the company before interview, it will be easy to answer these questions since most employers include the specific skills relevant to their roles in the job post.
To impress the interviewer, make sure your answers mention the core soft and hard skills relevant to the role. And back your responses with real-life examples of situations where your skills helped deliver results for your employer.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
Employers can also use skills-related interview questions to identify your key strengths and weaknesses. Depending on your answers, the hiring manager can identify your strengths and areas where you are lacking relative to their position. It is important to identify the essential skills required for the role and craft your answers to position yourself as the ideal person for the job. The best way to answer questions about your weaknesses is to frame them as a strength you are working on, rather than an impediment to your ability to perform effectively if employed.
Determine your employability
Employers also ask skills question to gauge your employability. A candidate who has the right mix of personal, fundamental, and teamwork skills is likelier to succeed in the role than someone with fewer competencies.
Discover real interview questions asked for thousands of job titles
Top skills to mention in an interview (with examples)
Here are eight of the most desirable skills to mention in an interview with examples of how to include them in an answer:
1. Communication
Employers value candidates with excellent communication skills because it is vital for effective performance of job duties and responsibilities. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to deliver information clearly and concisely. Talk about verbal and nonverbal communication skills relevant to the role, including writing, active listening, and presentation skills.
Example answer: I believe communication is vital to my professional success. I have invested in professional report writing courses and I am one of the best at delivering PowerPoint presentations at my current company.
2. Business acumen
This skill shows your knowledge of the industry. It demonstrates an understanding of the organization’s mission and vision, the markets its products and services serve, the competition and the strategies for generating revenue. Business acumen or commercial awareness skills are especially vital in sales and other customer-facing positions. An excellent research of the company will turn up insights that will help you use this skill to your advantage in an interview.
Example answer: I understand this company serves a very specific niche with a fierce competition. In my experience, most players in the industry are trying to reach the market through social media. I believe a more conservative approach is more productive. Thankfully, in my previous role, I was able to use traditional prospecting methods to sign more clients and increase our business by 15% despite the stiff competition.
3. Collaboration or teamwork
Teamwork and collaboration skills are also vital for success in any position, especially for roles that require working as part of a team. Your answer should emphasize the ability to build and nurture positive working relationships with others to focus individual strengths for the benefit of the organization.
Example answer: I value teamwork and enjoy working with others. At my previous role, my supervisor depended on me to organize the team’s work schedule and assign tasks based on each individual’s skills and experience. I can also work independently, but I thrive most when I’m working with like-minded people towards a bigger goal.
4. Adaptability
Employers value highly adaptable employees because they can take on a wide range of roles and can go the extra mile when situations call for it. In the fast-changing business environment, individuals who are flexible can quickly adapt to new challenges and disruptions, helping their organization to turn weaknesses into strength and opportunities.
Example answer: I consider myself a flexible person. Regardless of the situation, I always strive to get results. I remember a time when a contractor suddenly changed the terms of our contract in the middle of a project. As the project lead, I already had an alternative, and we quickly switched to the new company. Although it increased the project cost, we delivered on schedule and that helped us secure more business from the client.
5. Problem solving
Companies value employees who can solve problems because they can identify potential opportunities before others. These employees can take the initiative, are innovative, and quickly key into their organization’s vision. Employees who are efficient at solving problems also make outstanding leaders and are adept at helping their company manage difficult situations.
Example answer: Solving problems is the primary duty of this job, and I excel at it. My on-the-job experience, exceptional research skills, and vast professional network helps me solve any problem regardless of the complexity.
6. Positivity
Optimistic employees are assets to their companies because their optimism drives them to deliver positive outcomes regardless of the difficulties. These employees don’t lose hope in the middle of adversity. Rather, they draw inspiration from setbacks and use challenges to learn, grow, and find better opportunities for their peers and organization.
Example answer: I have been through a lot of challenges in my professional career, but my positive attitude always helped me overcome problems. For instance, a client once rejected work I did because of an internal dispute at their company. I was able to market the same project to another client and only had to change a few parameters to meet their specific requirements. For me, challenges are just a tunnel to new opportunities, so I always get to the end of the tunnel.
7. Organization
Exceptional organization skills are also important in most organizations. An organized employee can prioritize effectively, work efficiently and attain the highest level of productivity. Your answer should emphasize how you manage time, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
Example answer: I am a very organized person. Early in my career, I had a boss who was a stickler for protocol. Everything had to be done in a certain way at a specific time. At the time, it seemed like a bit much, but my time with the person helped me appreciate the importance of organization. Now I get more work done in less time because of my time management and prioritization skills.
8. Leadership
Whether you are applying for an entry, middle, or senior role, employers love employees who can lead others. Leadership skills include the ability to delegate, assign tasks, set deadlines, motivate and support, and provide constructive feedback to colleagues and team members.
Example answer: Leadership is very important for team cohesion and productivity. As a mid-level manager, I lead my teams by example by coming very early to work, providing motivation and positive feedback, and fostering an environment that rewards excellence.
Other good skills to mention in an interview
Here is another list of six in-demand skills to mention during an interview:
9. Negotiation
Negotiation and persuasion skills are essential in some roles, especially roles related to sales and customer service. A good negotiator should have impeccable communication and interpersonal skills and an in-depth understanding of the industry.
10. Confidence
When talking about confidence, it is important to be assertive without sounding arrogant.
11. Perseverance
In life and work environments, you may face challenges that test your perseverance. Companies desire people who can confront challenges head on without losing focus and their energy. Your answer should demonstrate you can persevere and dedicate your skills and strength to the company during hard times.
12. Self motivated
Self motivation is vital because it keeps you going when results are not forthcoming or different from what you expect. People who are self-motivated have a lot of endurance and rarely quit until they get positive outcomes.
13. Ability to work under pressure
The ability to work under pressure shows you can still deliver and perform in dire situations and won’t lose your focus or become overwhelmed under stressful conditions. If you are applying for a role in a high-stress or fast-moving industry, this skill is essential.
14. IT skills
Most jobs require at least basic IT skills, including the ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software and social media tools. It is important to emphasize how you used IT skills and tools in previous roles, using real-life examples to support your answer.
To improve your chances of getting your dream job, it is important to research the core competencies required for the role. Make sure you know the skills for interview success to impress the hiring manager and stand out from other candidates.