The Employer's Evaluation

During an interview, employers are generally evaluating your performance within three categories. These are:
     
Content Skills

These are the skills you have acquired either through specialised training, work experience or attaining a degree qualification, that would enable you to fulfill a specific job function within the company. They tell the employer that you have the knowledge needed to get on with the job efficiently.

If you don't have some or all of the necessary skills for the job, you should indicate a willingness to take up further education or training to acquire them. An employer may prefer someone with all the required content skills now, but demonstrating that you will undertake whatever is necessary to become qualified shows initiative and commitment that may swing matters in your favour.

Functional Skills

Functional skills reflect your ability to assimilate information and to work and empathize with others. An employer can decide whether you would make a good team player as opposed to being a loner.  Your previous work achievements can be used to exemplify your interaction with colleagues in job related matters.

An employer can form an idea of your ability to work with others from the reasons you give for leaving previous jobs. If you have ever been fired, be open about it, don't lie and attempt to conceal it, and show no bitterness when discussing the reason. Discussing the matter openly shows maturity and reflects well on your temperament

Adaptive Skills

Adaptive skills show how you manage yourself and reveal your personality and temperament. Throughout your interview, the employer will be evaluating your ability get along with him/her, and monitoring any of your personality traits.

If faced with a difficult or sensitive question, don't answer straightaway. Take a few seconds to give a considered reply. This prevents you saying something you might regret later and keeps anger and defensiveness out of the situation. If you are a little nervous, and are not thinking quickly enough, say so, and take a few extra seconds to form a reply, although it is preferable to appear at ease with your situation. Even if you are inwardly terrified at some of your replies, don't let your interviewer see you perspiring.