Can Understanding What Is You Want Be Your Secret Interview Weapon
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Navigating job interviews, college admissions discussions, or crucial sales calls can feel like a high-stakes performance. You practice answers, research the company, and polish your resume. But there's one fundamental element that underpins success in almost any professional communication scenario: a clear understanding and articulation of what is you want.
It sounds simple, perhaps even selfish, but defining "what is you want" isn't just about personal gain. In the context of these interactions, it's about clarity, purpose, and aligning your goals with the needs of the other party. Mastering this concept transforms a generic conversation into a focused, impactful exchange.
What is you want in professional conversations mean
At its core, understanding what is you want in professional settings means having clarity on your objective for that specific interaction. Are you aiming for a job offer, admission to a program, or closing a sale? Beyond the immediate goal, it involves defining your broader aspirations, your core values, and the kind of contribution you want to make.
This clarity shapes your message from the outset. When you know precisely what is you want, your communication becomes more focused, confident, and persuasive. You can tailor your responses and questions to demonstrate alignment between your aspirations and the opportunity at hand. It helps you define your goal and purpose effectively.
Why is understanding what is you want crucial for job interviews
In job interviews, interviewers aren't just evaluating your skills; they're trying to understand your motivation and whether you're a good fit for the role and company culture. Articulating what is you want allows you to align your career aspirations with the employer’s needs.
This isn't about demanding terms. It's about expressing your genuine interest in this specific role, how it fits into your long-term growth, and the value you believe you can bring. By clearly stating what is you want – whether it's a challenging project, a specific area of responsibility, or the chance to work with a particular team – you present yourself as a purposeful candidate who has researched the opportunity and envisions a future with the company. This demonstrates your value proposition clearly and concisely.
How can structured techniques help articulate what is you want
Merely knowing what is you want isn't enough; you need to communicate it effectively, especially when answering tough questions. Structured communication techniques provide frameworks to help you express your goals and experiences clearly and persuasively.
One powerful method is the STAR Interview Technique [^1]. STAR helps you illustrate your past behaviors and achievements by detailing the Situation, Task, Action you took, and Result you achieved. By using STAR, you can naturally weave in how your past experiences demonstrate skills and inclinations that align with what is you want in the future role. For example, describing a time you successfully led a project (STAR) shows leadership skills, which might be part of what is you want in a management role.
Linking your strengths to the role is another key application [^2][^4]. When asked about your qualifications or how you handle challenges, frame your answers to highlight skills and experiences that directly support what is you want in the context of the job description. This ensures your communication is relevant and targeted.
[^1]: https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/resources/career-advice/star-interview-technique/
[^2]: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/communication-interview-questions
[^4]: https://www.coursera.org/articles/strengths-and-weaknesses-interview
What are the common challenges when defining what is you want
Despite its importance, clearly defining and communicating what is you want is often challenging. Several hurdles can get in the way:
Uncertainty about career goals or job fit: Sometimes, you might not be entirely sure what you want or if a particular role is truly the right path for you. This internal uncertainty makes external communication difficult.
Difficulty articulating your strengths and weaknesses authentically: You might struggle to express your capabilities convincingly or discuss areas for improvement in a way that shows self-awareness and a growth mindset [^4].
Nervousness leading to vague or off-topic answers: Interview stress can cause you to ramble or lose focus, making it hard to articulate what is you want concisely.
Overemphasis on technical skills: Focusing too much on technical skills without showcasing interpersonal qualities or cultural fit can leave interviewers wondering if you truly understand or desire the broader scope of the role.
Recognizing these challenges is the first step to overcoming them and mastering the communication of what is you want.
What strategies help express what is you want effectively
Preparing thoughtfully is key to overcoming the challenges and effectively communicating what is you want.
Research Thoroughly: Understand the company culture, values, and the specific requirements of the role or opportunity [^3][^5]. Tailor your articulation of what is you want to align with what they are seeking.
Practice Your Answers: Rehearse responses to common behavioral and situational questions [^1][^3]. Frame your practice around demonstrating skills and aspirations that reveal your goals and problem-solving abilities. Think about how your past experiences directly support what is you want in the future.
Frame Around Mutual Benefit: Your communication about what is you want should always connect back to what you offer. Show how your goals align with the company's success. It's about finding a win-win scenario where what is you want contributes to their needs.
Be Authentic and Self-Aware: When discussing your strengths and weaknesses, be honest but frame them constructively, showing how you leverage strengths and address areas for development [^4]. This authenticity builds trust and shows maturity.
These strategies help ensure your message about what is you want is clear, confident, and well-received.
[^3]: https://www.alooba.com/skills/soft-skills/requirements-gathering-376/interview-techniques/
[^5]: https://gethirex.com/glossary/interviewing-techniques
How does what is you want apply beyond job interviews, like in sales calls
The principle of understanding and articulating what is you want extends far beyond the job interview room. In sales calls, college interviews, or networking events, knowing your objective is paramount.
Sales Calls: Identify your key message or request upfront. What is you want the client to do or understand? Building rapport and using storytelling can help connect with the client and convince them that your offer helps them achieve what is you want [^2]. Adjusting your communication style based on the listener’s needs is also crucial for effective sales conversations.
College Interviews: Articulate what is you want from the educational program and how it aligns with your academic and career goals. Show how your past experiences, interests, and aspirations make you a good fit for their institution.
In any professional dialogue, clarity on what is you want allows you to steer the conversation purposefully, build rapport, and ultimately increase your chances of achieving your desired outcome.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With what is you want
Defining and articulating what is you want effectively in interviews takes practice and self-awareness. Verve AI Interview Copilot is designed to help job seekers refine their communication skills specifically for interview scenarios. Verve AI Interview Copilot offers real-time feedback on your clarity, conciseness, and alignment of answers with the role. By simulating interview conditions, Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you practice articulating your goals and experiences using techniques like STAR, building confidence in expressing what is you want persuasively. It's a tool for performance coaching and communication improvement, directly supporting your ability to master "what is you want".
Learn more at https://vervecopilot.com.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what is you want
Q: Is it okay to be unsure about exactly what is you want in an interview?
A: It's okay to be exploring, but show self-awareness and articulate what aspects of the role/company interest you most right now.
Q: Should I only talk about what is you want, or focus on their needs?
A: Frame what is you want in terms of how it aligns with and benefits their needs. It's a mutual goal.
Q: How can I express what is you want without sounding demanding?
A: Focus on aspirations, growth, and contribution rather than just requirements. Show passion and purpose.
Q: Does what is you want change for different interview stages?
A: The core might be similar, but the specific examples and depth might vary based on the interviewer's focus.
Q: How do I prepare to talk about what is you want regarding weaknesses?
A: Frame it as an area for growth where you seek development, showing self-awareness and a desire to improve.
Q: What if what is you want doesn't perfectly match the job description?
A: Highlight areas of strong overlap and express enthusiasm for aspects that are new or challenging, showing adaptability.
Clearly understanding and articulating what is you want is a superpower in professional communication. It moves you from being a passive participant to an active, purposeful one. By defining your objectives, aligning them with the opportunity, and using structured techniques to communicate your value, you can make a stronger impression and increase your success rate in interviews, sales calls, and beyond. Practice, self-awareness, and a focus on mutual benefit will help you master this essential skill.
