Interviewing: Do They Know What You're Made Of?

Recently, I ran across an article that confirmed what I'd (and many others) suspected to be true:  a lot of high priced bottled water is actually purified tap water. 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) tells us that while 75% of bottled water sold in the U.S. comes from "natural" underground water sources, the rest comes from the same place we get the water in our bathroom sink: our public water system.  The difference is the additional purification process they use.  Is that a bad thing?  Certainly not ... except when consumers are left to believe something that's not exactly true. 

However, I'm not sure that folks paying from $3 to upwards of $12 per gallon for bottled water truly want to know they're getting ripped off.  I think the fact we've convinced ourselves that water is worth even $3 per gallon (much less that Rover is drinking basically the same water for pennies) is shocking in a culture that does very little to prepare itself financially for its future.  But that's another article ....

So, what does this have to do with interviewing?  Here's the killer question: Have you considered if your prospective employer knows what makes you who you are?  What I'm talking about here are your 4 Ps: Proficiency, Personality, Past Results and Purpose.  If they don't learn these things about you, then how do they know who they are hiring?

Your Proficiency will speak to your talents: Organization, Persuasiveness, Problem-Solver, Detailed oriented, etc.  These are the skills you bring to the table that will help them solve their biggest problems.

Your Personality is "what makes you ... you!".  It describes whether you prefer working alone or collaboratively with others, naturally outgoing or reserved, process oriented or risk taker.  Your "fit" with their team will be important to them and you.

Your Past Results are the evidence of your previous success.  Key successes (including specific examples) should be outlined in the work history portion of your resume.  During the interview, refer back to and expand briefly on them (no more than 2 minutes).  The interviewer will let you know if they'd like more detail.

Purpose is your objective.  It answers the question "Why are you in interested in our company?".   Before the interview, you should have thoroughly researched the business (Google, website, Business Journal, your network, etc) to find out their mission, leadership, product/service line(s), target customer(s), growth plans, etc.  The interview is your opportunity to decide if you really want to work there ... and learn if your prospective boss is Hitler!

The word interview in Latin means "to find out about each other".  Remember: work that reflects your 4Ps will be primary in determining your job satisfaction a year later.  If you don't know the work that fits you ... any job will do!  Go for your dream job and don't settle for mediocrity!