From an employer's point of view, it is possible that after the interview he may be faced with having to make a choice from among five candidates who all meet the requirements of the job. At this stage, he is in the enviable position of being able to look for a little more than he had originally planned. Now he can begin to look for the 'value-added' candidate - the one who has something to offer which is additional to the required mix of skill, experience, background and temperament.
One candidate may stand out from the rest because it is clear that he has the potential to grow beyond this job and take on more responsible positions in the company at a later stage. Another candidate may have developed skills elsewhere which are not required in this job but which may be needed in 12 or 18 months' time. Yet another may have had experience in working within a company as it underwent significant structural change. The ability to operate in uncertain times or the skill to progress during such changes may be an additional benefit which one particular candidate could offer over and above the job's requirements.
If you are invited to attend an interview, list the skills and qualities which you have over and above those required by the job description. Think about the added value that an employer would gain through offering you the job rather than anyone else.
Look beyond the job for a moment and try to get a view of what the company does and where it is going.
- What you can contribute towards the general development of the organization?
- Have you had experience of more modem equipment or a wider range of technology than this company uses at present?
- Do you have skills in more than one area?
- If someone from a different department was absent could you fill the gap for a while?
- Are you aware of the problems this company is faced with?
- Have you seen how they were successfully dealt with elsewhere?
- Do you have any skills or qualifications which are not essential to this particular job but may be useful to this company?
Further information
Voluntary Service Overseas, 317 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2PN; 0181-780 1331
Voluntary work
A paid job gives you a sense of identity, a feeling of worth, and a certain status in the community based on the fact that you are doing something worthwhile. If you are in work, you have a routine and a structure to your life. You also have a circle of friends and colleagues who keep you abreast of changes and developments. The wages you earn give you a degree of economic freedom and independence.
Listed above are seven good reasons for getting a job. If you are out of work, however, you can enjoy most of them by undertaking voluntary work. Being out of work when you don't want to be, can be a painful experience. Unemployment threatens many aspects of your life and often the financial problems pale into insignificance against the loss of identity and self-respect, the feelings of hopelessness, marginalization and depression, and the threat to health which many people face as a result of being out of work.
