Here”S” how to prepare for your next Interview:
Stories. Think about what makes a good strong, story. A beginning, middle and end. A clear message or moral. What did you learn? What was accomplished? What was resolved, changed or better yet transformed?
Specifics. This is where numbers and context come in. How many, how much, dollars and lives saved or earned. Scale (another S word). Tell us how big the project was. Tell us if the project was national in scope. What were the parameters. Paint the picture so we know why it matters and what was involved.
Short. Yup, the story or example needs to be short and sweet. That’s why it is important to think about the point(s) you want to make and to make sure that it’s easy to get your message. When you prepare, think about what you want people to remember. That will help you keep it short.
Solid. Remember that you are communicating your solid – not abstract and theoretical, but the substance of what you offer and the substance of what your efforts and skills and wisdom makes happen. You are a solid contributor. Own it!
So what? Okay, at the end of the day a critical question is … so what? Who cares about this, why does it matter to the interviewer, the company, the community, the profession??? The skills that we offer are in service of profits and policies and people and programs. Tell us why it matters!