It’s important to realize that the résumé and the interview are measuring two completely different things. This is a conversation that I have frequently with clients. Generally speaking, your résumé is measuring your “hard skills” and the interview is measuring your “soft skills.” An exception to this would be if you are applying to a highly technical job, then you can expect an assessment or demonstration of your technical skills.
![Job interview. Businesswoman having a job interview. [url=http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/9786622][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40117171/business.jpg[/img][/url]](https://blog.careeruprising.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Job-interview-pic.jpg)
Hard skills refer to things that are very specific and measurable such as knowing a foreign language or being able to write software programs. Hard skills are generally knowledge-based and often taught in school. Soft skills refer more to your personality and your emotional intelligence. Being able to communicate well, handle criticism and prioritize your time are all soft skills.While the résumé should mostly speak to your hard skills, it’s certainly a good idea to weave reference to your soft skills into the narrative of your résumé. Also, your LinkedIn profile and cover letter are both great places to speak to your soft skills. Let’s take a look at some of the soft skills that employers value the most:- Adaptability. Have you ever had to adjust to new situations quickly with little to no guidance? Do you thrive in a “sink or swim” environment? Have you had to learn new technologies or processes? These are all signs of adaptability, which is a necessary skill in the workforce. Be sure to give specific examples of how you’ve done these things when you write your résumé.
- Cultural Fit. Hiring people who don’t fit into the culture and end up leaving is very costly for employers. The interview is where they will get a sense of your personality, confidence level, and communication style, all of which contribute to your cultural fit.
- Collaboration. Everyone has to work with other people at some time. Collaboration involves working with people at different seniority levels, job functions, age groups, etc. Think about a time when you have to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Be prepared to talk in the interview about how you overcame that.
- Growth Potential. Though employers don’t expect the same loyalty that they did 30 years ago, they do want to get a sense of what your goals are and how likely you are to stay-at least for a few years. Think about your best achievements in your career and what you still want to accomplish. When employers ask you about these things, they’ll be comparing your answer against what the company has to offer to see if it’s a match.