Bring Three Key Stories to Your Next Interview
The next time you’re preparing for your job interview, instead of trying to rehearse the answers to dozens of common questions, think of three expansive stories that describe moments when you’ve done a good job, worked successfully with difficult people, or taken up a challenge. … Real stories and real conversations go beyond standard answers anyway.
In an article for the journal ” Personal career” career counselors Rebecca Thorman explains that instead of trying to come up with the perfect response to some of the interview questions you’re likely to hear , it is better to view your resume and cover letter, and try to identify three common history Highlight moments when you were proud of your job, worked under pressure, and made good use of your skills and knowledge. That way, regardless of the specific questions you are asked, you will be ready to link your answers to those specific stories and continue to draw from them throughout the interview.
Obviously, you don’t want to just repeat yourself, but there is something to be said to provide consistent answers and provide your interviewer (or group of interviewers) with some great stories that they will remember specifically, as opposed to a dozen different little stories. the answer is only to certain questions. A real-life story about a time when you were proud of your job also sounds sincere (since, ideally, it should be) and gives a solid and complete picture of yourself and what you can offer the potential leader. Remember, the more your interview takes the form of a real conversation , rather than just questions and answers , the better your chances of getting a job.
US News & World Report offers a number of other helpful interview preparation tips , but this is one that can really help you stand out from the crowd. We often focus so hard on getting the answer right that we forget that it is equally (if not more) important to give the hiring manager a complete and true picture of ourselves. This article was originally published in July 2013 and was updated on January 21, 2021 to update dead links, perform copy editing, change the header photo, and align content with the current Lifehacker style.