BUZZ ME IN! (Part 2)
By Barbara Lauter
November 25, 1997
Barbara Lauter highlights the Words that buzz you into a new job!
In part one we covered the resume and cover letter. Next it is time to
focus on your ability to communicate verbally. You need to do the same
research for the words in your "interview script" that you have done
for your written credentials. I do not mean you should replace your
normal vernacular with 10 letter words. I do mean that you choose and
use words that best demonstrate your abilities. Let's say you responded
to an opportunity that stated "problem solver" as an important
characteristic. Your credentials got you the audience and now the
interviewer is asking you, face to face, "Can you demonstrate a
situation where you were confronted with an unanticipated problem you
were able to head off?
The request for this characteristic was in the ad you responded to and
even though you may not have specifically addressed this requirement in
writing, you must assume something about it will be asked and you need
to be prepared to demonstrate your abilities at the interview. You say
"Yes, at Smithjones we were going to receive a batch of equipment that
was recalled for a part replacement but we didn't really know the full
measure of the problem or the timeliness or quantities coming. I got on
the phone and called some of the temp agencies that could supply the
technical help we might need. Eventually, I located one that said they
could get us 1-20 people on short notice and at a price we could live
with. He said he had done this before. I called the reference I had
asked for and my counterpart at this company backed up his claim.
Sure enough, we were deluged. I made the call, the agency came through,
and our regular staff hardly felt the effects." Good story! Creative
thinking described with words like "timeliness, good price, few negative
effects. Buzz words (or buzz phrases, if you prefer).
Lastly, regardless of whether the word you are about to use is for a
written or for an oral purpose, you can choose and use the correct one
by reviewing the words the company selected to describe the opening.
Sometimes you can use their own words to say you have what they want.
A better way (in case your reader is the guy who wrote the verbiage
and would recognize the phrases) is to use synonyms, but use them at
the same level of meaning. "Exceptional communications skills" will
not lose impact when stated as "Outstanding communications skills".
There is sort of a rule of thumb you should use when you are choosing
specific words for your written or oral presentation. Words which
indicate what you have done to make the company money are surefire hot
spots. So are words which describe your ability to solve problems or
improve performance. In short, the words you want to use are those
that demonstrate your value.
Now go out and catch a buzz!
Barbara Lauter is a career counselor and placement professional at a highly regarded school in Atlanta which offers labor intensive courses in business administration and training in software applications from introduction to advanced levels. Her skill in teaching, through lecture and practical applications, has consistently turned out employment ready people represented by creative, hard-hitting resumes, thoughtful cover letters and the ability to verbally express their skills and their potential to significantly contribute to a company's bottom line. In September, Barbara was awarded an "Excellence in Placement" award by the Metro Atlanta Private Industry Council of the Atlanta Regional Commission. Barbara does individual consulting and will apply her skills and knowledge to reviewing (and revising) your resume, cover letters and interviewing skills. Reach her at 770 640-6689.
Copyright © 1997, Barbara Lauter, All Rights Reserved.
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