In the new economic landscape getting more for less is a common theme throughout just about every organization. Companies have looked at all options, from squeezing vendors, stretching payment terms and the most common, asking more from your current employees. Most companies have done all of this and know they can’t beat a dead horse, but they can still work to ensure that new hires, especially at the executive level are willing and able to get ‘er done.

Notice "willing" is in bold and italics? That’s not just putting lipstick on a pig, the emphasis is a fact. Companies are interviewing executives for the willingness to actually do the work and get involved at the point where the rubber hits the road. Execs who say they can-do and are willing to get in the weeds are a dime a dozen. Companies are constructing interviews designed to get at the personality traits for this willingness and in many cases using evaluation tools like the DISC Assessment to help evaluate this personality trait to weed out those who are just paying lip service to this characteristic.

To cut to the chase, as you prepare for your next interview figure out how to tell your story so that it highlights your ability and willingness to get gritty. Getting more for less is here to stay—you might even say it has become cliché.