Whether you’re
unemployed or happily employed in a job you love, being prepared for an
unexpected interview will help you snag unexpected but valuable opportunities
as they pop up. Below are a few
tips on preparing yourself for the interview you weren’t expecting:
1.
Develop
and memorize your unique selling proposition. Your unique selling proposition should be no more than 30
seconds and should give the listener an intriguing overview of your skills,
expertise, and experience.
In essence, it is your sales pitch.
2.
Be
able to effectively communicate your top five accomplishments and how they
impacted your employer’s bottom-line. If you’re able to help the prospective employer
connect your skills with intrinsic value, such as how they can save or make
money, you have already won half of the battle.
3.
Be
prepared to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. “If you enjoyed you last job, why did
you leave?” “What are you weaknesses?” “What are you strengths?”
4.
Keep
your resume up-to-date. Don’t
allow your resume to become dated.
If you have accomplishments, new skills or new experiences, make sure
you add them to your resume, so that you’re ready for any opportunity that may
come your way.
Understand the motivations
of employers in the current job market.
Why are employers hiring or not hiring? And what type of people are employers hiring? Do you fit the “wanted” profile or are
your skills in low-demand?