This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of Get That Job! by Thea Kelley.
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Articulating your essential qualities and skills.

This section of the guide offers advice on identifying and confidently showcasing your key qualities during a job interview to guarantee you leave a lasting and positive impression with the interviewer.

Determine the qualities that are relevant, exceptional, and verifiable, as these will constitute your key strengths.

Kelley refers to the crucial elements that should be relevant, significant, and verifiable as "REV Points." These factors uniquely distinguish you from other competitors. In the interview phase, it's crucial to identify and articulate your unique qualities, making a compelling argument for why you are the best candidate for the position.

Identify the three crucial factors that would make an employer prefer you over other candidates.

Kelley advises self-reflection to pinpoint the essential skills or qualifications that are in great demand for the position you're targeting. What sets you apart from your peers in terms of your expertise and professional background? What have your past supervisors and colleagues praised you for? Identify, through an honest evaluation of yourself, three to five key qualities that establish you as the ideal choice for a potential employer.

Emphasize the distinctive skills and credentials that distinguish you from the competition. For instance, while most applicants might claim to be good communicators, fewer might have demonstrable experience in leading cross-functional teams or successfully resolving complex customer conflicts. Identifying what sets you apart is essential because these characteristics form the foundation of your unique value, professional standing, and accumulated expertise.

Evaluate the importance of your REV points by examining their relevance, uniqueness, and the possibility of substantiating them.

Relevance: Investigate various job postings relevant to the position you desire and identify the key skills and qualifications that are frequently highlighted. Make certain that the attributes you emphasize are in alignment with the priorities valued by the prospective employer. Ensure that the competencies you highlight align perfectly with what the employer is seeking.

Highlight your distinctive skills instead of focusing on attributes that are widely shared, like hard work or intelligence. Concentrate on the unique skills that differentiate you. Do you possess multilingual skills...

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Get That Job! Summary Developing powerful stories and introductions

The text underscores the importance of crafting and conveying compelling stories that showcase your skills and expertise to the person conducting the interview.

Utilize the SOAR framework to develop captivating stories.

Kelley recommends the SOAR technique to craft compelling stories that maintain interest during job interviews. It represents the circumstances, challenges encountered, and the measures taken. This method crafts an engaging narrative that harmonizes your career history with the goals of the company you aim to join.

Articulate the circumstances, challenges faced, and the measures taken.

Situation: Provide context for the story by detailing when and where it took place, particularly if the accomplishment occurred in the not-so-distant past. Detail the challenge you faced, focusing on the particular elements that needed improvement.

When confronted with significant obstacles, such as looming deadlines or limited resources, offer a concise description of the circumstances. Highlight your ability to resolve issues or showcase your capacity to lead, which resulted in a positive outcome.

Describe the specific actions you took to overcome the challenge,...

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Get That Job! Summary Achieving proficiency in both verbal communication and the subtleties of non-verbal signals.

This section delves into the crucial aspects of verbal and non-verbal communication, emphasizing how your overall demeanor and presentation influence the interviewer's impression of you.

Demonstrate a self-assured demeanor by utilizing non-verbal cues.

The author emphasizes the significance of body language and other nonverbal signals in securing a positive result in a job interview. Equally important to the articulation of your expertise with words is the mastery of non-verbal cues.

Make certain that your posture and gestures are welcoming, which includes keeping a consistent eye contact, standing straight, and using hand gestures effectively, as well as conveying your emotions properly with your facial expressions.

Maintain an appropriate level of eye contact to convey your attentiveness and reliability. Ensure your gaze is gentle and not overly intense to avoid appearing aggressive. Ensure you hold the other person's gaze for about 33 to 50 percent of the time you're conversing, lessening the gaze slightly when you're talking and intensifying it when you're focusing on what the other person is saying.

Posture: Sit upright with relaxed shoulders. Exhibiting...

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Get That Job! Summary Adapting to different interview formats.

In her book, Kelley explores various interview formats that go beyond the traditional face-to-face meetings. This part emphasizes the necessity of being prepared and adaptable when facing the unique obstacles presented by different types of interviews.

Get ready with confidence for interviews conducted over the phone or through video.

The initial stages of the candidate screening often involve conducting interviews via phone or through video conferencing platforms. Both formats demand careful preparation and adjustments to create a favorable impression, particularly when direct in-person interaction is lacking.

Make certain that the illumination and technological setup are optimal, and be aware of your environment and the unspoken signals you send.

Technology: Ensure reliable internet connectivity, test audio and video equipment in advance, and acquaint yourself with the video conferencing software beforehand.

Lighting: Position yourself facing a natural light source or use additional lighting to avoid being shadowed.

Select a quiet room with minimal distractions to guarantee a background that looks professional. Select a plain setting or utilize a digital...

Get That Job! Summary Guiding you through each phase of the interview process, from start to finish.

This final segment provides guidance on how to adeptly handle each phase of the job interview process, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a persistent and professional demeanor beyond the conclusion of the interview. Securing a new role requires not only making memorable first and last impressions but also engaging in consistent follow-up activities during the entire hiring procedure.

Make certain that your introduction leaves an enduring and favorable impact, continuing right through to your final farewell.

The initial and final perceptions you form during an interview are of critical importance. Kelley emphasizes the significance of creating a favorable first impression and ensuring its continuation beyond the interview's conclusion.

Start and end the interview by highlighting your compatibility with the position and showing your excitement for the opportunity.

Start and end your remarks by emphasizing the alignment of your abilities with the company's requirements. Show your enthusiasm for the role and the company by highlighting how your experience and skills are an exact match for what the job demands. These statements offer an opportunity to leave a...

Get That Job!

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While identifying unique qualities (REV points) is important, it can sometimes lead to overemphasis on individualism, potentially overlooking the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which are also highly valued in many workplaces.
  • The advice to craft a REV Intro with a natural flow might not account for the dynamic nature of interviews, where rigid adherence to a planned introduction could come across as inauthentic or overly rehearsed.
  • The SOAR framework is useful for storytelling, but it may not be suitable for all types of questions or interviews. Some situations might require more flexibility or a different approach to effectively convey one's experiences and skills.
  • Articulating thoughts clearly and succinctly is crucial, but there's a risk of...

Actionables

  • You can refine your unique qualities by creating a personal brand portfolio that includes testimonials, work samples, and a personal mission statement. This portfolio can be both a physical booklet and a digital version on a personal website. For example, if you're an engineer, include blueprints or projects you've worked on, along with recommendations from colleagues that highlight your...

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