Going into your first professional interview can be nerve racking; it can feel as if you are about to face the judge and jury for your career path. It’s understandably difficult to walk into the lion’s den (employer’s office) and sell yourself to a hiring manager to convince them you are going to be a great asset for their company. The key is to prepare appropriately for your interview and to keep in mind a few tips and tricks that will make you a better candidate, including the strategic use of storytelling.
The first step you should take is to research the position, employer and organization as much as possible. In today’s world, social media and the internet have ensured that information regarding professional organizations or a particular field of study are readily available. You want to gather relevant details regarding the organization, which may include their mission statement or a summary of their services. The more you know about a company, the more prepared you will be to handle questions like “Why do you want to work for us?” and “What have you heard about our organization?”
Going to an organization’s website is a great way to get inside information as to the values it regards. I mean if you see the word “team work” or “collaboration” in the job description, company website or mission statement, then you know it’s a skill set you should try to showcase within the interview through examples.
Once you have done your research on the organization, it’s time for you to evaluate yourself and prepare to handle difficult interview questions.
A great way to get the ball rolling is to read over the job description and then read over your resume and ask yourself a few questions including the following: Why would I be the ideal fit for this opportunity? What strengths can I bring to the table? What relevant experiences do I have? What qualities does someone need to be successful in this job?
A good strategy to use as you are preparing for the interview is to go through a list of questions that may come up and reflect on past stories to include when responding. This strategy is called story banking; it can be used almost like a utility belt as you decide which anecdote suits the situational questions. The process of reflecting upon past situations, academic and professional, will also help you effectively articulate the experiences to the interviewer and showcase your value.
As you have probably noticed, some interview questions can seem pretty straight forward, such as “So tell me a little about yourself.” However, applicants tend to struggle with this question the most because of how broad it is. When you answer this question, make sure to start with your personal background, then give them a short summary of your past experiences and education, and then finish off your response by indicating your next steps.
For example, if you are a biology student going in for your medical school interview and you’re asked, “So, Maria, tell me a little about yourself, a strong answer would look something like this: “Well I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and I have a younger brother and older sister. People describe me as a very positive person and ever since I was young I was curious about medicine as my Mom was a nurse. My interest led me to getting involved in hospitals and volunteer work in the community throughout high school. I then went to NSU for my undergrad and I will be graduating this spring with my biology degree. Over the last few years, I have gotten involved in research, shadowing and other healthcare activities as well as leadership opportunities in the community that have only fueled my passion for this industry. I am now here ready for the challenge of medical school and excited to take the next step in my career.”
In addition to broad questions like “Tell me a little about yourself,” one of the more difficult questions, which you’ve likely had to answer before, is the dreaded “What are some of your weaknesses?” The reason an employer asks this type of questions is to find out if you are the type of individual who can self-evaluate him/herself when in a work setting.
For example, let’s say you go in for an interview at Walgreens and are hired to handle orders in the pharmacy department. After a year or so, you realize that you are not being as detail-oriented as you used to be and need to be on the job and you self-identified this issue to resolve it going forward. Employers want individuals who can evaluate themselves, their workplace and take steps to improve upon such challenges.
You want to be honest and sincere with your answers. When you’re asked to identify your weaknesses, make sure it’s a real one you’re able to thoroughly explain. The key is to include strategic details on how you plan to realistically improve or even turn this weakness into a strength.
An example of an excellent response is, “One of my shortcomings is that I tend to take on a lot of projects all at once, which can be a little overwhelming at times. I have been working on this weakness. Every day I write a list of things I need to get done in that day, and I keep a list of weekly, monthly and year goals that I have set for myself. This strategy has helped me to stay organized with various projects and understand what needs to get done daily and weekly to reach my long-term goals, while avoiding any feeling of being overwhelmed.”
Interviews can seem difficult but at the end of the day, the best approach is to take some time prior to the interview to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, past experiences, interest in the position and any potential questions you may be asked. If you’re prepared, you’re likely to appear calmer, as well as more confident, collected and self-reflective — all qualities that will increase your chances of being hired.
