“Newbie, to the table, now!” Now, you want a job as an appraiser, do you!? This firm is willing to help you out. But you gotta wanna help this appraisal firm, too! So show me why, in the next 120 seconds, I should hire you! Start!”

“Newbie, to the table, now!” is not how your job interview is going to begin (you hope!). But whether a senior appraiser or a partner interviews you, you have 120 seconds. Do do what? To give that firm a reason to hire you. That you have taken all your appraisal classes is irrelevant. That’s a given! So has every other candidate! How about your bachelors degree in interpretive modern dance? Unless it has taught you how to think, a degree even in chemistry would be irrelevant. Or your burning desire to be an appraiser since you were six years old? OK, but so what? So far, you’ve merely declared that you want to be an appraiser. You have yet to explain persuasively why you want to be an appraiser. Other than an ardent hope (and a desire for a regular paycheck), what do you offer? What are the short- and long-benefits you can bring to that appraisal firm?

Newbie, to the table you’d best bring some critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills demonstrate your abilities to understand and solve syllogisms. You solve them through deductive reasoning, a skill you will not get in on-the-job training. Can you Interpret sequences and arrangements and then draw sound and credible conclusions from them? Are you capable to evaluate cause and effect relationships? Can you recognize assumptions and distinguish them from facts? From the typical value range can you synthesize a credible value conclusion? Filling out an appraisal reporting form is a requirement, not a critical thinking skill.