Interview Chatter

Are You A Problem or A Problem Solver?

by Darlene McDaniel on April 6th, 2008

Did you know that every time an organization has a job opening, they are looking to solve a problem, not a person that will be a problem.

A Problem: A situation, matter or person that presents perplexity or difficulty. As an employee, you don’t want to be a person that presents perplexity or difficulty to your employer, do you? Of course not. You want to be a problem solver.

A Problem Solver: Well, let’s define a problem solver first. A person responsible to solve or find a solution for situations, matters or people that present perplexity or difficulties to organizations.

The value of this discussion is that when you are employed whether you are looking for a promotion or not, OR, if you are unemployed looking for work, at ANY level, you better be a problem solver. When you are evaluating a job, reviewing the job description, or sitting in an interview, it will be important for you to understand the problem the organization is trying to solve. As a high potential candidate, your ability to articulate the problem and your ability to define yourself as a solution to that problem will differentiate you from other potential candidates.

So, the question is, are you a problem or a problem solver?

1. Problem solvers can identify the problem

2. Problem solvers can identify viable solutions

3. Problem solvers identify options

4. Problem solvers can identify consequences for options and solutions

5. Problem solvers make good decisions

6. Problem solvers solve the problem

As a potential candidate interviewing for a job, understand that the job opening itself is the problem that needs to be solved. The viable solutions become your skills and abilities that solve the greater problem the organization has - need for a person who can accomplish the goals, and tasks for the specific opening. You need to be a good option for the organization. If you have a good interview, it will be because you have convinced the hiring manager that you are the best choice and anything short of that choice would be a good decision for them, thereby solving their problem.

Image Credit: PicApp

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POSTED IN: Core Competencies, Preparation & Planning