The interview is a chance for you to tell your story and point out your strengths. You want your answers to be concise, vivid, and show you in the best light. What can you do to prepare? Based on my experience as an executive who has interviewed hundreds of candidates, here is a recommendation you can use to stand out from the crowd.
The interviewer may ask you to describe what you did in a specific situation in the past, such as how you dealt with a difficult customer or how you organized a project. Rather than ask you about a hypothetical situation and what you MIGHT do in the future, this type of behavioral interview question asks you about a real example from your past experience. The theory is that what you have done in the past is a good predictor of how you will behave in the future.
How should you prepare for these kinds of questions? Think about a short list of situations at work or school that you handled very well and brought results you were proud to accomplish. When you share these great examples, your enthusiasm will shine through.
Here is a simple outline you can use to bring your story to life. Remember CAR:
- Challenge: be crisp and clear in defining the situation or problem. What did you need to face, fix, or overcome?
- Action: describe what you did to address the problem. What alternatives did you consider, what did you decide to do, what actions did you take?
- Results: after taking action, what was the outcome? Did it turn out as you expected?
This format guides you to tell a story that is easy for the interviewer to follow and understand. It makes your strengths come to life, makes your contributions more tangible, and makes you memorable for the prospective employer.
With a planning and practice, you will be well-prepared to put our best foot forward.
The Dolezal Group 