Decide to cut to the chase

In a job interview, you need to do some each-way betting – but not too much, writes Patricia Maloney, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers. Sometimes it’s best not to fully hang your hat on an example – if they ask you what is the best thing they do in their company, it is probably wise to outline that there are many good things before elaborating on one that really impresses you.

However, when giving examples to prove your own prowess, as is required in competency-based interviews, be decisive. A competency-based interview requires you to give solid instances of your experience and achievements to date and you should avoid offering a general overview of various examples before diving into one.

Get to that one example quickly. Be decisive. Note the competency you are trying to prove and prove it – don’t obscure good detail with less relevant information.

Preparation will help you greatly in this. It will tighten up your examples, give them more impact, and help you to cut to the chase rather than spending an inordinate amount of time jogging on the spot at the start of answers.

 

Patricia Maloney is a Career Coach with Sli Nua Careers in Galway.

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