Interviews are about the truth: Solving Problems

This past week we had 2 students in the coffee shop (Espressions) to work on interviewing for the RHOP (a large scholarship in Nebraska for students interested in the medical field). In our interview training coaching, FLEET, we have almost every client complete what we call 4-square where they tell us about their strengths, weaknesses, successes, and failures.

These two students were interested in the medical field, were both from the same small town, and truly had hearts of gold. After that, the similarities ended. Well, until it came to how they introduced themselves and saying they had a strength in "solving problems". Upon further digging, we found just how different they were.

For more about "So, tell me about yourself?" See this blog.

Let's call student one "John" and student two "Jane". When going through their 4-square we found out that John is good at not just solving any problem, but more specifically he was great at solving puzzles, figuring out logistical problems, and good at fixing things, specifically vehicles, like the time he fixed a snow-mobile on a mountain with a stick.

Jane, on the other hand, also told us she was good at solving problems. She, though, could only give us examples of problems that had to do with teams she has been on where someone wasn't pulling their weight and she had to hold them accountable. Truly, "problem" wasn't the best word, instead, solving conflict between teammates, holding teammates accountable, and creating harmony on a team were her strengths.

Now, if both John and Jane told an interviewer one of their strengths was "solving problems", and they gave examples, do we think it would have lost them the job? No, probably not. BUT how much more impressed do you think an interview would be if you could as precisely as possible share a strength which not only highlights the strength, but also your self awareness?

Let me tell you the answer: Wildy!

I mean think about it: most of the time you interview for something, there is a high change that many people just like you are also interviewing that thing, if everyone is relatively vague giving answers, then I can promise you that it is really hard to stand out. For example, I recently was apart of a slating committee for the leadership team of an entrepreneurship program. If there is one thing everyone often agrees on with entrepreneurs its that they all work hard. Do you want to know what 80% of people told me when I asked why I should pick them?

You probably guessed it: "I work really hard."

When slating a team, many agree a diverse team is best (otherwise we would just pick the top candidate and help them find assistants for efficiency). So, sometimes, something as simple as sharing different strengths, even if it isn't perfectly relevant to the position, is what sets you and other candidates apart, not necessarily pure talent or "fit". Instead, it's the perception of added value that no one else would/could add.

So, here's my tip:

1. List your strengths

2. Think of AS MANY examples as you can of you exemplifying that strength

3. Can you find a more specific word to describe yourself? Or add a descriptor to the word?

   1. Example

      1. Communication (FYI please never say this anyways - always be more specific)

         1. My team always got a reminder about dress-code from me the night before the game

         2. The FFA chapter saw higher numbers than normal in contest signups because I told them all about the contests in advance

      2. So, instead of just "communication", this person could say "One of my strengths is in communication, but very specifically in helping my teams through reminders and sharing information well before deadlines because I also happen to be high organized. I try to remain two steps ahead so teams I'm on can always be at least one step ahead."

      3. See how this is much different than someone who may also be a good communicator, but it's through active listening, letting conversation flow organically, and building relationships quickly? Much different.

Happy interview prepping!