This question is frequently asked at the interview seminars I lead. Job candidates want to know how interviews have changed since they last interviewed about 20 years ago.

Successful interviews haven’t changed much in the past two decades. He still needs to present his accomplishments while matching them to the job specifications. And you still need to answer those killer questions we’ve been discussing all week; tough interview questions waiting to play “gotcha”.

However, the way employers hire has changed. All you had to do 20 years ago was provide information and match your achievements in previous jobs with the needs of an interviewer. But today’s interview is about more than just matching your skills to the job description.

You need to stand out from other job seekers. How? Focusing not only on what you have done, but also how your achievements will add value to a company.

Hiring managers will see you as a valuable player when you can display the qualities of self-management and the ability to learn quickly. There are fewer levels of management in most companies as employers downsize to increase profits by paying less. So you have to do your job with less supervision than you did a couple of decades ago.

You should also show enthusiasm for the previous job and especially the job for which you are being interviewed. And today’s effective interviews include his ability to demonstrate how he was able to get things done, get work done early, and pitch in to help colleagues. We’re talking about taking the initiative here.

And technology has had a huge impact on the way employers hire these days. Large, medium and small businesses rely on technology to streamline operations and procedures. Therefore, companies want employees who are computer literate, eager to learn new skills and able to adapt to the fast pace of business.

All jobs have been affected by technology. Therefore, you must have or acquire at least a basic technical aptitude to compete in this job market. Older workers, especially, need to show job interviewers how they’ve kept up with technology.

In addition to explaining how you keep up with technology and how you can add value to a company, you’ll find that the criteria for hiring interviewers remains the same.

To accommodate changes in the way managers hire, be able to give examples in job interviews of your effectiveness in those three key areas we’ve been discussing.

1. Your ability to learn quickly

2. Your self-management skills,

3. Your technical competence.

Because job interviewers like confident candidates, talk about the three key areas with a lot of enthusiasm.