As qualification criteria were used to review resumes and identify whom to interview, these same qualities are the yardsticks upon which all interviewers will measure you. To determine your potential to walk the walk to success within a particular job, your interview talk will be heard and then analyzed. Those you interview with will be listening for verbal cues that reveal how strongly you match predetermined criteria. As they listen, they will process what they hear and create an overall impression of your potential to succeed within the specifics of the job.

Always keep in mind that you are interviewing for a job within a specific department, not simply with an organization. Focus your thoughts first and then your statements on roles and responsibilities of the job. Prospective employers have already identified connections between your resume and their desired and required competencies. All you now need to do is reinforce these resume-linked connections while sharing communication as well as personality style.

It is easy to use this process-oriented knowledge. Before each interview, create a list of qualification criteria for the position. What specific criteria would be associated with an ideal candidate for the position you will be interviewing for? Identify the basic qualities sought and how one would determine who possesses these traits. Most importantly, use your resume to create a carefully conceived strategy and list of discussion points.