What are the top skills employers look for in an interview?

That's a great question. It's a little difficult to answer without knowing the specific job you are applying for but I can answer it in general because there are certain basic skills that almost all prospective employers are looking for.

First of all, your interviewer wants you to demonstrate that you have a great attitude. You can do this by being warm and friendly. Remember to smile even if you are doing the interview over the telephone. This will help you convey to the interviewer that you are full of life and energy. Next, be sure to tell the truth. Honesty is always the best policy. Finally, Try not to talk about yourself too much. Finally, Ask the interviewer open ended questions, (questions that cannot be answered with one word), about challenges his or her organization is facing and how you can be involved in solving those problems. Keep your answers short. Remember, it's not about you. The interviewer is looking for someone to be involved in overcoming obstacles and challenges for his or her company.

Hi, Rachel: employers expect you to know two things: yourself and their companies. In other words, you need to know your own strengths (and weaknesses) and you need to have done your homework on the companies' websites. Most employers will tell you exactly what they're looking for in the job description. Study your own resume and see how it matches up with what the employers need. Then be ready to tell stories from your resume that illustrate your ability to meet their needs. For example, let's say the job description asks for excellent communication skills; look for a time when you had to make a presentation or write a paper or act in a play, and talk about how that demonstrates your excellent communications skills. It's always best to have good stories to tell about your own experiences that are specific examples of your skillset. So, let the job description be your guide to determine what are the top skills.

You have been given some excellent advice already. A couple of additional thoughts to consider. First, be authentic. Your potential employer is (or should be) evaluating how you would fit with the rest of the team. Being yourself gives you the advantage of doing your own evaluation of "fit" with the company. And second, have a list of the questions for your interviewer about the company culture, etc. You are interviewing them as well. Best of luck.

Hi Rachel,

This is a great question, and I am glad you are getting ready for your job search now. Networking will be key to landing interviews, and you have plenty of time to build a strong network. To help you prepare for your job search, I recommend joining the Facebook group Job Search Network - Helping Empower Job Seekers to Find Their Next Career.

I am currently a member, and I have gotten a lot of expert advice on how to nail interviews and get job offers.