When you’re looking for a new job, you want to present yourself as a strong candidate. Showcase how you have mastered the “six Q’s”, basically six key skill areas, and you’ll come across as a better applicant.
Image from alancleaver.
Try to include specific examples for each of the following skill areas.
- IQ: This includes skills like critical or strategic thinking, problem solving, and being able to keep an eye on the overall picture.
- EQ: Social skills that lead to success in the workplace, like being able to communicate well, resolve conflict while preserving relationships, and empathy for your colleagues or clients.
- PQ: Your passion for working at a company or in a specific industry. Often this can mean aligning with the mission of the company or having ambition.
- CQ: Cultural fit is key to working well with your team or other departments in the organisation.
- CRQ: Your ability to deal with tough situations, like giving feedback or working with difficult colleagues.
- IMQ: Flexibility and being able to adapt when things don’t go smoothly, including proposing solutions and having successful projects even when they get off track.
The concept of “six Qs” is definitely jargony and over the top, but no matter what they’re called, by touching on each of these areas, you show that you’re a well-rounded candidate with many skills.
Why Your Next Job Depends on Mastering the Six ‘Q’s’ [The Washington Post]
Comments
4 responses to “Master The Six Qs To Make An Impression In Job Interviews”
Actually if it is a Public Service job just address the selection criteria.
I’m definitely worst at CRQ. Anything to avoid confrontation! Lol
A good way to think about that is what happens if… For example, if someone is making a bad decision, don’t think of the conflict, think of the consequences. How you deliver that message is really important too. Also, by bottling up your frustration, you can become a passive-aggressive, which hurts teams and organisations.
I don’t think anyone feels comfortable with confrontation. Try to think of something bigger than yourself.
If you feel the person is a boss’ pet or the person is your boss, you have a difficult situation. I’ve sometimes found that people I disliked the most became friends after sitting down and having a chat to understand their perspective or their situation (there I go about sympathy and empathy again). But, i’ve also been bitten. There are some good articles on lifehacker on how to deliver bad news in a not-so-bad way. They may help.
Hi! Thanks for your tips! I think I definitely fret over how to deliver what I want to say, not wanting offend. I worry a lot about how what I say might come across. I have a tendency to push too hard, and perhaps too close to the person’s insecurities. It is definitely something I’m working on, have come a long way since starting full time work 6 years ago!