Page 261 - Marky Stein - Get a Great Job When You Don't Have a Job-McGraw-Hill (2009)

Get a Great Job When You Don’t Have a Job

QUESTION: What kinds of skills do you have that would benefit this com-
pany?
ANSWER: I believe that my management, budgeting, and pur-
chasing skills would benefit the company. In my last
company, I initiated a new procedure for purchasing
materials that ended up in a 37 percent decrease in
annual materials costs. That’s what I’d like to do for
your company.

• The phrase “That’s what I’d like to do for your compa-
ny” is very powerful and persuasive when it follows an
impressive Q statement. Try it!

The next question is one that might apply to a person who is
completely changing careers. The question is posed to assess
whether she possesses the skills for the new career:

QUESTION: What prepares you to move from being a public health edu-
cator to a book editor?
ANSWER: Well, although I have not yet had professional expe-
rience in book editing, I have seven years’ experi-
ence in the writing, proofreading, and editing of
public health education reports. I have written and
edited at least 40 reports of more than 100 pages
each and submitted them to the state of Florida
Public Health Department for review. I was also
commended twice for writing, editing, and proof-
reading grant applications for over $350,000, one of
which was submitted to the state, and one to the fed-
eral government. In addition to editing at my last
job, I took an adult education class in copyediting at
Seminole College in Fairfield. I’d like to be able to
make similar contributions to your company.

QUESTION: Why should I hire you?
ANSWER: If you want someone who is going to raise morale in
the company, I believe I am the one. Under my

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