Preparation for a big interview means going through the answers to potential questions. This is a useful tip when it comes to the basics of an interview. However, studies have shown that interviewers do not want the answers on your resume. Instead, they want something additional from your side. The interview is not supposed to be a cross-examination. It should treated as a simple conversation. A conversation you can spice up by adding interesting information about yourself. Information that is likely to grip their attention if it is told as a story.
Storytelling is a skill in itself though. It needs to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The ending is a punch line of what exactly you wish to portray. The length of the story also comes into play. This is because anecdotes should not be longer than 60 seconds. That means omitting unnecessary details. If the interview deems them important, they will ask about them. The stories that you will be telling also need to be original. This is because your interviewer will want to hear about your out-of-box thinking. That includes the way you carry out things, the methods need to be imaginative as well as clever. You are not the first candidate for the interview, therefore, you need to stand out. You need to make your story a special one that they remember.
Ensuring that you are using the right type of story is also important. To do this, you must listen. The interviewer’s questions are what will help you understand their requirements. If this method didn’t work, the interviewer may feel negatively toward you. After all, they do not way story after story. The purpose of the meeting is for you to sell yourself. This means that you need to emphasize what exactly your employer is looking for.
Also Read: 12 Things That Job Seekers Should Never Say During Interview
To be a success at an interview you have been preparing for, there are seven stories you can consider. You can work on them in terms of yourself and match them to the needs of your employer.
Who you are?
A very basic story that is asked in almost every interview. It is possible that you already have this prepared. It is a story about yourself which means it should consist of the basic facts involving you. That includes where you are from, where you have studied, and where you are currently. Along with these, it is also vital to add where you are heading. The employer needs to know what value you can add to them.
Your cost-effectiveness
For an employer, the aspect of money is really important. They need to know how you can make money as well as how you can save it for them. One way to get this across is to demonstrate it through experience. An anecdote about becoming the top sales representative, maybe. Another story can be about a way you found to save up on your phone budget.
How do you work in a team?
Being a team player is integral to the working of almost every company. Therefore, it is important to emphasize it for yourself. You can think of a story where you helped your team to achieve a goal. Similarly, it can even be an anecdote surrounding the arrangement of a trip for team spirit. The purpose is to show that you work well in a team and don’t leave anyone behind.
Are you a hard worker?
A hard worker is something every employer looks for. If you consider yourself hardworking, you should convey it to your next employer as well. The story can be about going the extra mile for your company. The employer just needs to pick up on the commitment you are willing to place in your job. This can even be something basic such as working in the evenings or on weekends. The goal is to show them that you are willing to make the sacrifice for the common good goal.
Are you loyal?
An employer needs to know that if they hire you, you are in it for the long run. After all, most people these days known to change jobs easily. Therefore, their focus is on hiring someone who intends to stay. This means that the story you tell them needs to involve your loyalty and commitment. It can be about you sticking with your manager’s decisions despite everyone else. It can also be about a project that you stuck with till the end. The best way is to end this story by mentioning how moving on is also natural for you.
Also Read: 4 Ways A Candidate Must Follow Up After An Interview
What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced?
Challenges are inevitable in your life, including your work life. This is why your employer wants to know how you faced your greatest challenge. How you handled it and how you overcame it. By focusing on the creativity you used as well as the skills you learned, you might impress them. Skills that are important for their company must be mentioned to show that a smooth transition is possible.
How do you deal with stress?
Conflict resolution is another trait that employers look for. A story revolving around how you dealt with a setback or stress can prove to be helpful. You can even prepare short stories involving conflict, setbacks, and stress. The punch line should involve how you dealt with the negative and turned it positive.
These stories must include the actions, skills, and results you got throughout the experiences. These three elements are of grave importance to your employer. Therefore, be clear about them so that your interviewer can judge your prowess.
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