| Prepare to answer this question before going to your | | | | very good fit for my skills and background. |
| next interview. Do this simple exercise to learn how to | | | | A#2. It's a really tight job market out there, and it just |
| formulate your answer at your next job interview. | | | | hasn't been easy to get interviews. My skills just didn't |
| It's difficult to believe that employers are still asking this | | | | seem to be in demand, and the competition is really |
| type of question. Don't they read the newspapers or | | | | tough. |
| listen to the news? If they were informed, they would | | | | A#3. I'm really not sure. I have an excellent background |
| know the answer; i.e. jobs are very scarce and difficult | | | | with five years experience in this industry, and I have |
| to find these days, and unemployment is at an all time | | | | knowledge of several software programs. I know |
| high since 1994 - in some areas reaching 14% - 30%. | | | | there are other people out there with similar skills. |
| (California and Arizona) | | | | What sets me apart from the masses are my abilities |
| Unfortunately, quoting these facts probably wouldn't | | | | to relate and to work with a wide diversity of |
| get you a job offer and could even result in the | | | | customers. Having the unique combination of technical |
| interview ending rather quickly. So, what is the correct | | | | skills and people skills has helped me advance in the |
| answer to give an interviewer when you're asked | | | | companies I've worked for in the past. |
| such a question? There is no "correct" answer. | | | | If you selected A#3 as the strongest answer, you are |
| However, a technique that works well is to take the | | | | correct. This answer offers more information about |
| focus off the length of your job search and to place it | | | | what you could bring to the organization and takes the |
| on what you have to offer. | | | | focus off why it has taken you so long to find a job. |
| If you look at it from the employer's side, you can see | | | | You don't dodge the question; you just change the |
| a different perspective. It's a "hiring" market, and | | | | focus. A key phrase in this answer is "set me apart |
| employers are receiving so many resumes that they | | | | from the masses." It is important to point out what |
| have their choice of among many very qualified | | | | makes you unique, and what you have to offer that |
| candidates. When interviewers ask a question | | | | others do not. |
| regarding the length of your unemployment, one of | | | | If you are getting interviews, it means that you have |
| their concerns may be that you are undesirable or | | | | valuable skills that are of interest to this employer. |
| flawed - (If no one else wanted to hire you, why would | | | | Now, the strategy is to focus on the qualifications you |
| they want to hire you?) | | | | can bring to this position as the solution to their needs. |
| Your task, as the candidate, is to convince them that | | | | By scripting your answer in preparation for this type of |
| you have valuable skills and to be able to sell yourself | | | | difficult question before the interview, you will feel |
| as the solution to their problem. Using the examples | | | | more confident and more in control. You will also be |
| below, which of these sample answers would impress | | | | able to keep the focus off the length of your job |
| you most if you were the interviewer? | | | | search and more focused on why you are the best |
| Q. "Why have you been out of work so long?" | | | | person for this job. Doing pre-interview planning about |
| A#1. I knew the job market was tight, and I didn't run | | | | the message you want the interviewer to receive will |
| out and try to get just any job. I took my time thinking | | | | improve your chances of being taken seriously as a |
| about finding the "right" job. I know your job would be a | | | | candidate. |