Trying to second-guess the answers to potential interview questions can be frustrating and time wasting. There are some basic concepts, when understood completely by the job seeker that can contribute to the success or failure of an interview.

1. There are three basic concerns employers look for when making a hiring decision:
Can you? … Do you have the required skills to do the work?

Will you? … Do you indicate you want (attitude) to do your work the way we want you to do it?

Do you fit? … Does your personality and style fit with our company?

If the job seeker is very clear about what the position encompasses, i.e. what skills are needed and how they will be required to perform the work, and they are happy to do it, then there is a strong case for pursuing the position. Surprisingly, many job seekers apply for positions because they sound good, not because they have a thorough understanding of what is expected. Doing research on the company will shed some light on the third condition. Is this a good fit in regard to the culture of the organization?

2. Do you completely understand what the employer needs?
An organization is interested in what can you do for them. A thorough understanding of the organization's needs will allow you to sell the benefits of hiring you, rather than simply presenting features about your experience that you believe are interesting. Quantify your accomplishments. Make them real and tangible. Sell solutions.

3. Employers don't care what you think, they care about what you will do.
An interview is only a 30-60 minute snap shot of you. Many questions are too obvious or may even be illegal. It is important to understand that many of your answers will be left to interpretation. If you understand the point of each question (can you? will you? do you fit?), and you understand the employer's intention, it is far more effective to respond with an action statement indicating what you have done, than what you think. They will view past performance as an indicator of what you are likely to do for them.

4. The economy and the job market are changing every minute. Can you?
Traits employers look for to determine if you will continue to be valuable to them in the future are a positive attitude, self-motivation, flexibility and the ability to perform as a team player. Will you be able to roll with the punches when change is needed?

5. You need to ask for the position!
People are often not offered a position because they may appear to be unprepared, seem disinterested, sloppy, vague, and discourteous. One of the most common reasons for not getting the offer is pretty simple. They fail to ask for the position!