Written by: Michelle Schafer, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I remember my very first interview coaching client like it was yesterday (even though it was seven years ago!). At the end of the practice interview, I asked him what he felt worked well before I provided my input. He replied, “I did a good job answering all the questions.”
He was right – he did provide a response to each question. However, where he missed the mark was in the specifics; he neglected to provide examples from his career past and kept all details at a high level. His responses would have made it hard for the interviewers to assess whether he could do the job, even though his resume indicated he was qualified.
Does this sound familiar? Do you tell yourself that you answered the questions well, when in reality your responses would not secure the job?
As a career coach, I coach clients on the most effective ways to respond to interview questions, in a way that conveys impact and value. In fact, of all the services I offer, I love interview coaching the most. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to help a client strengthen their confidence, work through their fear and prepare for an interview so they land a job they really want. I often hear cries of “but this is so much work!” It absolutely is, but if you really want the job, then you need to invest a proportional amount of preparation to reflect this desire.
So, how can you interview with success and secure a job you love? Here are 7 tips you can use:
Forecast questions using the job posting: Generally speaking, companies will ask questions about skills and competencies highlighted in the job posting. For instance, if the job involves accurately inputting data, a question that may be asked is “Tell us about a time when you recognized a discrepancy in your work – how did you respond?” Or, if the role involves leading teams, a good question would be “describe how you motivate team members.” The clues are right in the posting.
Document responses to forecasted questions: Type out these responses so you have a “cheat sheet” to refer to on the day of the interview, and use the STAR format – situation, task, action and result. It’s easy to get lost in sharing the contextual details of your story, because you may feel the need to help the interviewers fully understand the situation (or problem) before you can describe how you solved it. Here’s a framework that can help you structure responses without the answer becoming a “runaway train”: situation = 2 sentences, action = 4-8 sentences (depending on the complexity of the issue) and the result/outcome = 2-3 sentences. And a bonus – adding in what you learned or an insight that helped you take action.
Create a matrix of examples by theme: This can complement your work documenting responses to specific examples. The matrix would be one page – on the left side, list all the themes from the job posting (eg. customer service, leadership, project management). On the right, briefly describe two specific examples of how you have applied this in your career. This way, if there is more than one question on a single theme from the job posting, you have another example ready to go.
Provide specific examples even if the question doesn’t ask for one: By providing evidence and proof for as many questions as possible, you can showcase your fit for the job. For example, for the question “describe how you build relationships with external stakeholders,” you can describe your approach, then anchor your response with a specific example from your work experience. And, if you had to work through some challenges to build this relationship, this makes a great story to share!
Be especially ready for key questions that are prone to rambling answers: “Tell me about yourself” is one such question where you can lose the interviewers in the details. Answer this question like you are responding to the question, “Why should we hire you?” First, summarize your experience (including sectors worked, positions of escalating responsibility and education necessary for the role). Then, highlight skills you have developed over your career that align with the job. Another question that can trip people up is “Why are you looking for opportunities?” If you haven’t prepared your “leave story” in advance, you may end up sharing more details than you need – and with a level of emotion that you’d rather not reveal in the interview.
Practice, practice, practice: More practice leads to increased comfort and confidence in delivering responses, and a heightened ability to recall the specific examples that showcase your fit for the job. Practice on Zoom, practice in front of a mirror, practice with your partner – even practice with your dog!
Use “I” vs “we”: When you say, “We led the workshop” or “We proactively resolved the client’s complaint,” it’s hard for the interviewers to know what your specific contribution was. Using “I” language can clarify this.
Interviewing is a skill, and one that can be challenging to develop when nervousness or lack of preparation gets in the way. Although some people will claim they are more effective in an interview without preparing, I never recommend to clients that they “wing it.” With these tips, you can confidently tell your “happiest ending stories” (like in a fairy tale) and secure the job you want.
Michelle Schafer, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle Schafer is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and Facilitator specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to achieve career fulfillment. Michelle has personally experienced two significant career transitions through restructuring and has reinvented herself for new careers both times. She deeply understands the physical, emotional and mental impact associated with a job search. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1 in groups and recently was certified in the foundations of team coaching with the Global Team Coaching Institute.
