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Career Development Denise Alexander
“Why should I pick you?” It’s possibly the most obvious question to get asked in a job interview, but also the one most likely to send you scrambling for the right answer. One answer can make you sound too overconfident and with an unwanted ego. Another answer could make them see you as unsure or not ready for the job. Don’t panic but do prepare for this.
When conducting interviews, an employer is trying to assess if you are the best candidate and you could be one of many they are speaking to within a short period. After performing mock interviews with thousands of students, I can tell you that most people say some version of, “You should pick me because I’m a people person and a great communicator. I am dependable and hard-working.” While all important attributes, none of these can be proven true at the moment. That’s why I strongly encourage candidates to come prepared with a portfolio of their work and documented proof they can point to during the interview to help them stand out as the best candidate.
Portfolios are typically simple binders that contain documents that tangibly demonstrate your abilities to future employers. This can include writing pieces, pieces of graphic design, metrics, testimonials, or other tangible documents to show your work. Bringing a portfolio with you for the interview will already place you steps ahead of most of your competitors and show your potential employer that you have the skills to do the job and were well-prepared for the meeting.
Although we talk about having tangible documentation in your portfolio, that may not be entirely clear, nor does it include everything that you should have in your binder:
A portfolio is a helpful tool because it does the bragging, so you don’t have to. This can be reassuring especially if you’re more of a modest type.
Most of us are nervous when interviewing and forget what we want to say. The contents of your portfolio are a prompt or gentle reminder to yourself to make sure the employer knows about all your professional accomplishments.
Do not expect an employer to look at your portfolio page by page — they may not even ask why you’re the best candidate.
We encourage students to have a copy of all their portfolio contents ready to share. If your interview is winding down and the question has not been asked, simply hand the copied contents to the employer and state, “I know your time is valuable and you surely have a tough decision ahead of you. I’ve made a copy of my professional accomplishments for you, while you are considering who is the best candidate, that you can review on your time. I am excited about the possibilities with your company!” Even after you leave, your portfolio will be a reminder, sitting on their desk, and acting as a demonstration of your preparation — for the interview and maybe for the job. Try it and let us know how it goes! You won’t be sorry!
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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