How To Effectively Demonstrate Your Value In A Job Interview

When you’re looking for a new job, you need to provide specific concrete examples of the competencies listed on a job description – whether it is problem solving, influencing, taking initiative, or managing change.

What a lot my interview coaching clients do is to either give quite generic examples or just talk about what they’ve done – but without mentioning specific accomplishments.

Do you feel that this describes you? You are probably very good at your job and could do it with your eyes closed. Yet, you struggle to demonstrate your expertise effectively in a job interview.

Here are a few tips to help you overcome any blocks you might have about talking about your achievements:

Get over the idea that you’re bragging.

One of the reasons candidates shy away from talking about their accomplishments is because they don’t want to sound arrogant. However, the job interview isn’t the time to be too humble. Talking about your accomplishments and using facts and numbers isn’t bragging – it’s telling a story.

You have to remember that a potential employer wants you to do well in an interview – they are literally looking for an excuse to give out the job! So tell them what they need in a clear, factual manner.

Use STAR or CAR format when giving examples.

STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or CAR (Challenge, Action, Result)

Prepare a few examples of how you’ve solved problems, and dealt with different challenges and failures of what you’ve achieved using the above format.

Use numbers to your advantage.

Numbers are great for demonstrating your skills and expertise. Did you increase revenue, or save time/money? Did you improve a procedure and, if so, how much time did you save? How many clients did you win in your last job?

Don’t just tell the employer what the result was – tell them how you got the result and what your decision making process was.

Prepare several examples for your next job interview and you’ll significantly increase your chances of getting that job offer!

How To Present Your Strengths Effectively During An Interview

Throughout your career search, you will (hopefully) have the opportunity to showcase your candidacy in multiple job interviews. Considering it takes an average of seven interviews to win one job offer, it’s imperative that your performance is exceptional enough to propel you to the next level. How can you best present your strengths during an interview to earn a call-back?

Let’s concentrate on three key ways you can present your strengths effectively during an interview.

1. Begin the interview with a stellar “Tell me about yourself” reply:

Even if you’re never asked this question directly, you will find an opportunity to introduce your background to the interviewer early in the discussion. The ideal way to do so is with a one- to two-minute summary of your:

• Scope of experience: Give the interviewer a succinct overview of the breadth and depth of your work history.
• Career brand: Describe your career brand in a few sentences. The key is to focus attention on the elements of your background that make your candidacy stand out.
• Leadership style: If you are applying for management or executive roles, make sure you briefly describe your leadership style. If you are not, focus on your communication style instead. In either case, give the interviewer the opportunity to see you through the eyes of those you’ve worked with in the past.
• Personality: Select 1 to 2 exceedingly well-though-out adjectives to describe your personality.
• Pedigree credentials: Have you worked for industry-leading firms or completed sought-after specializations? Have you earned a degree from a well-respected institution? These kinds of credentials are part of your brand and deserve to be highlighted early in the interview.
• History of impacts: A critical part of your brand is the sum total of the impacts you’ve had on employers you’ve worked with throughout your career. If you’re in sales, for example, it might be the total amount of sales you’ve generated career-long. If you’re in an executive role, it may be the total revenue you’ve influenced and/or the total cost savings you’ve generated career-long.

Sharing these kinds of big picture details early in the interview helps make sure that you have conveyed the most important elements of your candidacy early on. It also helps “seed” the interview with things you would like the interviewer to ask you more about, which in essence allows you to gently guide them toward key facets of your brand.

2. Prove your value via behavior-based success stories:

The most popular form of questions asked by recruiters and employers these days call for a storytelling response. Known as behavior-based interviewing, this style of questioning asks you to prove your capabilities by describing past examples.

When writing resumes and other career communications tools, career management professionals refer to these stories by an acronym such as PAR/CAR, which stands for problem, situation or challenge | actions | results. The idea is simple: Prove your skill by telling your listeners about a problem you faced on the job, describing how you resolved it, and noting the specific quantifiable results you achieved.

The smart job seeker will prepare six to eight success stories in this format and practice relating each one to different questions. For example, a success story about your turnaround of a team could be used to document your leadership, change management, and strategic planning strengths by emphasizing different aspects of your actions or results.

If you invested in getting your resume written by a professional, then you already have some success stories defined. This means you can use your resume as an “agenda” for the interview:

• Comb through each phrase and sentence of your resume to ensure you are prepared to answer any and all questions raised by interviews.
• Expand on the bulleted achievements noted in your resume by crafting verbal versions of them to share in your job interview.
• Include journalistic details in your interview success stories by telling your listener what you did, how you did it, why it was necessary, when you did it, and who you did it for/with.

3. Use visuals to demonstrate the match between the company’s needs and your strengths:

A great way to showcase your strengths in an interview is to share a PowerPoint or other slideshow that highlights your experience, brand, and value in eight to ten slides. By leveraging charts, graphs, diagrams, and succinct facts you can prove your prospective value to the interviewer in ways that will set your candidacy apart from other job seekers.

• Prove the match between you and the job at hand by summarizing their needs and the qualifications they seek with your strengths and experience.
• Keep your bullets and text crisp and to-the-point. Say more with fewer words.
• Use color to highlight your message rather than detract from it.

If you’re interviewing with a group of people, see if you can arrange to present your slideshow during your interview. If that’s not possible or you’re being interviewed by one person, it’s fine to offer slide handouts instead – just make sure you still present your slides verbally so you can stress the points you think are most critical to drive home.

As you can see, there are myriad ways a job seeker can highlight their strengths during an interview. With a little reflection and a bit of preparation time, you can sell your strengths via polish, proof, and practice.

How To Turn Your Internship Into Full-Time Employment

Your internship can be a great way to gain experience, meet networking contacts, and prove your worth to an employer. It can also be the necessary foot in the door to land a full-time position at the organization.

Wondering how you can turn your internship into a full-time gig? Here’s how:

Ask For Feedback On A Regular Basis

Although you don’t want to cross the line into being annoying, it’s important to have a grasp on your strengths and weaknesses by getting feedback from your boss.

Go Above And Beyond Your Job Description

Show that you’re always thinking ahead by anticipating others’ questions and needs. Do more than is expected of you to stand out among other intern candidates. Volunteer for additional projects when you can, and be flexible with your schedule for a chance to impress the team by staying late or coming in early.

Taking on additional tasks, being flexible, and thinking ahead shows your dedication to your role and helps your supervisor and co-workers view you as an integral part of the team.

Be Consistent

Always maintain focus and discipline while at work – and avoid distractions such as text messaging or checking social networks.

Record Your Accomplishments

After you’ve finished a task or a project, write down any accomplishments you’ve had. Showing that you can produce results is a great way to move up at the company.

Act Like You’re A Full-Timer

Show up with an eager, positive attitude each day. Come in early and be the last intern to leave. Dress at least one step above your current position. Take pride in each project you are assigned and ensure it’s your best work before handing it in.

Secure A Mentor Within The Organization

Moving up is much easier if you have someone to lean on for advice and insight.

Have A Solid Grasp On The Company

Know what the organization needs and how you can fill those needs. Understand each product or service. Get to know the clients and customers the best you can. Learning this vital information will not only make you do your job better – you’ll have a clear understanding of how you can move up in the organization, too.