Interview success: it’s not just how you say it – it’s also what you say.

When you meet a potential employer, how you present yourself matters. But what you say also matters. Just as the bio-pharmaceutical industry has its own vocabulary, so does the world of hiring. When you use particular words and phrases during your interview in the right way, you place yourself “top-of-mind” in hiring managers’ decision-making processes.

Here are four interview phrases to use when meeting potential employers, and how to turn them to your advantage during an interview:

1. “In my last position, I accomplished…” Talking about your accomplishments beats talking about your job duties in two ways. First, it communicates your job duties effectively: if you accomplished a certain task, it is reasonable to assume that task fell under your responsibilities. Second, it demonstrates not only that you met your job duties, but that you excelled at them. Talk about your accomplishments in quantifiable terms, and include the time frame: “Last quarter, I increased sales by 25 percent….”
2. “From what I read in your job posting, it sounds like…” This phrase offers an ideal introduction to a summary of the key qualities required in the job and your ability to provide them. By mentioning the job posting, you demonstrate that you’ve done your homework. By adding “it sounds like,” you signal that you are paraphrasing what you’ve read – a task you can only do successfully if you have actually read and understood the information. Use this phrase to head up a short summary of the skills you have that match what the company needs: “From what I read in your job posting, it sounds like you need a sales professional with great communication skills, who can solve problems quickly and is a self-starter. That describes me perfectly.”
3. “I worked with a team, and we…” Knowing when, where, and how to use pronouns accurately demonstrates your ability to take credit where you have earned it and to give credit to others. It demonstrates an honesty that hiring managers appreciate, especially in sales and marketing staff who are entrusted with client accounts and the task of communicating on behalf of the company on a daily basis. When you are solely responsible for a success or failure, take sole responsibility; when an achievement involved a group effort, talk about the group: “I worked with a team of sales staff, and we increased sales 10 percent in the first month, even after we were assigned a sales territory that was new to every one of us.”
4. “What is the best contribution I can make to the company in the first 90 days?” Here, the form of the question matters more than the specific time period. By asking this question during the interview, you signal your enthusiasm for the job and your commitment to making yourself useful from day one. By phrasing the question as a “given” instead of a “possibility” – “what is the best contribution I can make?” instead of “what would be the best contribution I could make?” – you demonstrate your confidence in your skills and willingness to put them to work. Choose a time frame that fits the particular position you’re looking for; 90 days is popular because it is long enough for you to learn the ropes but short enough to demonstrate an immediate, measurable impact.

At SMR Group, our experienced recruiters help connect job seekers to the sales and marketing positions they’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more about our sales and marketing job opportunities in biotech, medical, and pharmaceutical industries!