A view from the employer's side of the table

Hiring a new employee is a big investment of time and money for an employer. If the person selected does not work out, it is a waste of both. This makes the selection process very important to an employer and is why resume review and the interview process can seem so grueling. So what is an employer looking for?

Job specific skills. Read the job description carefully and make sure you are selling yourself as the best person to fill the job. Your resume should be tailored with "key words" in the job description to make it easy for the employer to want to interview you. During the interview you should emphasize your qualifications that are a fit for the job description as well.

Soft skills. This is an area that many employers find to be very lacking in candidates. These are skills such as:

• Strong work ethic
• Initiative
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Flexibility and adaptability

Be sure to give examples of your soft skills during an interview. This can go a long way towards convincing an employer that you are a good fit.