Anytime a candidate is interviewing, the pressure’s on. That type of pressure cooker can make anyone bust, and it isn’t fair, but it’s necessary. Hiring managers spend way too much time and energy sourcing, pre-screening, interviewing, negotiating, hiring, on-boarding, training and managing to do it over and over. What’s your best bet? Play the game. Sharpen your collective job hunting skills including your interviewing prowess. Try hard to think in terms of delivering statements based on short, concise, fact-based, and pain-resolving points to shift the hiring manager’s thinking towards, “hey this person knows why I have this opening and how they can fill the void.”

Make it more about them! Their needs! And please do not use more than one story per answer. Do not discount a project you were really proud of because you beat the heck out of it and told the narrative for 3 separate answers! With all this is mind, when they ask about what you are looking for in your next job…make it about them, not you. Some examples:

“I am interested in my next role focusing on collaborative global projects and cross-functional communication channels to better stretch your revenue gains internationally.” — because you noticed on Google News they landed a new client area internationally and can expand that satellite’s footprint

“I am interested in my next role focusing on resolving your vendor and logistical issues and ensuring your product meets your customer’s demands.” — because you noticed how they never had enough product stocked and cross-referenced that with an affiliation article about the trucking industry and major clients impacted by the shortfalls

“I am interested in my next role focusing on completing additional high-rise and downtown construction projects to ensure your union teams don’t sit too long on the bench, as been the case most recently”- because you leveraged relations and networking aptitude properly to find out too much talent hasn’t been working this past 6 months.”

Thinking outside the box when job hunting or preparing a resume shouldn’t be the only time your try some creative brainstorming. Put those skills to use before an interview, that’s the single most important piece of the puzzle.