Last updated on Jul 6, 2024

Here's how you can navigate interview questions about your past work experience.

Navigating interview questions about your past work experience can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and preparation, you can make a great impression on potential employers. When discussing your previous roles, it's important to focus on how your experiences align with the job you're applying for. Be ready to articulate the skills you've acquired, the challenges you've overcome, and the successes you've achieved. Tailoring your responses to the company's needs and the specific position will show that you're not only well-prepared but also genuinely interested in contributing to their team. Remember, interviews are an opportunity to showcase your strengths and how they can be an asset in a new role.

1 Reflect Deeply

Before heading into an interview, take the time to reflect deeply on your past work experiences. Consider the various roles you've held and identify key projects, accomplishments, and learning moments that relate to the job you're applying for. This introspection allows you to articulate your experiences confidently and ensures that you're drawing relevant connections between your past work and the potential future role. It's not just about listing what you've done; it's about conveying the value you brought to those positions and how that value can transfer to the new opportunity.

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Kim Westrick, CPRW, CPCC, PHR

Certified Resume Writer (CPRW) | Career Coach (CPCC) | LinkedIn Profile Optimizer | Empowering Career Success
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To effectively navigate interview questions about your past work experience, focus on providing concise, relevant examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements. Start by briefly outlining your role and responsibilities. Then, discuss specific accomplishments or challenges you successfully managed, linking them to the skills and qualifications the new job requires. Be honest and reflective, highlighting what you learned from each experience and how it prepares you for future roles.

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Guilherme Simões

Analista de Recrutamento e Seleção | Talent Acquisition | Hunting | R&S | RH
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A preparação do candidato para qualquer entrevista começa com um bom planejamento. Faça um mapeamento da vaga e avalie atentamente os requisitos. Autoavalie-se e identifique suas principais habilidades técnicas e comportamentais. Questione-se sobre o motivo de determinada atividade ser o seu ponto forte e em que momento, no seu dia a dia, você se destacou. Não se esqueça de que os seus pontos fortes precisam fazer sentido com as exigências da oportunidade. Desta forma, você cria conexão com o recrutador, com a empresa e se destaca no processo seletivo.

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2 Craft Stories

When discussing your past work experience, crafting compelling stories can be incredibly effective. These narratives should highlight specific instances where you faced challenges, used critical thinking, and achieved results. Employers appreciate when you can demonstrate your problem-solving capabilities and how you've applied your skills in real-world situations. Remember to structure your stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end, providing enough context for the interviewer to understand the situation and your role in it.

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Guilherme Simões

Analista de Recrutamento e Seleção | Talent Acquisition | Hunting | R&S | RH
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Após identificar seus pontos fortes mais adequados para a oportunidade, é hora de criar um roteiro para a entrevista. Inclua cases reais exemplificando quando e por que você se destaca nas atividades que está apresentando. O candidato que se destaca é aquele que consegue conectar suas habilidades técnicas e resultados com o seu comportamento, ou seja, como executa as atividades, como lidera o time e como gerencia os projetos. Desta forma, você demonstra autoridade na área e senioridade em suas posições.

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3 Be Relevant

Staying relevant is crucial when answering questions about your past work. Ensure that the experiences you discuss are directly applicable to the job at hand. If there's a particular skill or experience listed in the job description, link it to something you've done in the past. This shows that you're not only attentive to the requirements of the role but also possess the necessary expertise. By doing this, you demonstrate foresight and an ability to apply your past learnings to new scenarios, which is highly valued in any workplace.

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Guilherme Simões

Analista de Recrutamento e Seleção | Talent Acquisition | Hunting | R&S | RH
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É muito comum que profissionais com carreiras robustas se percam em suas apresentações, contando histórias que são importantes apenas para a vaidade pessoal. Devemos compartilhar destaques e resultados que façam sentido para a oportunidade! Esteja atento ao seu discurso e apresente informações conectadas com a vaga e a empresa. A melhor forma de acertar é estudar a vaga, preparar o roteiro com antecedência e ter seu discurso afiado na ponta da língua.

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4 Highlight Growth

Employers are interested in how you've grown professionally through your past experiences. When discussing your previous roles, emphasize the progression of your skills and responsibilities over time. This shows that you're capable of learning, adapting, and advancing in your career. It's also an opportunity to discuss any training or professional development activities that have contributed to your growth. By showcasing your trajectory, you signal your potential to continue evolving within the new company.

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5 Address Gaps

If there are gaps in your work history or a job that didn't end on the best terms, be prepared to address these candidly. Honesty is key, but also focus on what you learned from those experiences and how they've made you a stronger candidate. It's important to frame these periods positively, emphasizing any constructive activities you engaged in during that time, like freelancing, volunteering, or furthering your education. This approach shows resilience and a commitment to professional development despite setbacks.

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6 Practice Out Loud

Finally, practice your responses out loud before the interview. This helps in refining your delivery and ensuring that your answers are clear and concise. It also allows you to work on your pacing and tone, making sure that you come across as calm and confident. Practicing with a friend or mentor who can provide feedback is especially beneficial. They can offer insights into areas where you might improve or highlight strengths that you might not have noticed, giving you an extra edge during the actual interview.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can navigate interview questions about your past work experience.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect Deeply

2 Craft Stories

3 Be Relevant

4 Highlight Growth

5 Address Gaps

6 Practice Out Loud

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workplace Design

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Here's how you can navigate interview questions about your past work experience.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect Deeply

2 Craft Stories

3 Be Relevant

4 Highlight Growth

5 Address Gaps

6 Practice Out Loud

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workplace Design

Rate this article

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