You’re applying for a job and need to tailor your interview answers. What are some effective ways to do this?

As a public speaker, you know the routine of knowing your audience. As a public speaker, I also have done several successful TV interviews. In such situations you need to know the audience that the interviewer is seeking to satisfy. Then, as the job interview starts, assume the role of being on a TV interview and give to-the-point but interesting answers to each question. And include a story or two that demonstrates your expertise and successes. They may even hire you as a PR Agent. :-)

I know there are hundreds of do's and don't associated with interviews. The only advice I ever give is just "be yourself." Your best self perhaps, but just be genuine. If you get the job, you are going to have be yourself eventually. You may as well show them from the get go.

1.Research the company: Understand the company’s mission, values, culture, and recent projects. 2.Review the job description: Identify the key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required for the position. 3.Use specific examples: Provide concrete examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you have successfully handled and achieved results. 4.Focus on highlighting accomplishments and experiences that directly relate to the job you’re applying for. 5.Make sure your resume and cover letter reflect the specific requirements and qualifications outlined in the job description. 6.Prepare for common interview questions and show enthusiasm and interest for the opportunity and the company.

To tailor your interview answers effectively, focus on these key points: Research: Understand the company and the specific role. Align your skills: Highlight examples and skills relevant to their needs, using the job description as your guide. Focus on impact: Quantify your achievements and emphasize the positive outcomes you delivered in previous roles. Show genuine interest: Ask thoughtful questions demonstrating your enthusiasm and understanding of the company's work. By tailoring your answers, you showcase your understanding of the role and your unique value proposition to the company.

Understand what the company does, why they do it and how they do it. Understand their history as well as how they fit into the market in which they compete. Lastly, find out the social compass of the company (. ie do they encourage volunteerism?)

Knowing your audience is really important. It’s a skill to read and understand people. To align to an opportunity, you must make yourself a candidate people want to say yes to. It’s a process that requires patience and social battery. A changing audience means a new set of people to get to know and that can be very powerful if you give it a chance. People remember people so make yourself memorable to your audience. As long as the opportunity is the right one for you, don’t be afraid to take a chance on you by introducing new people to your evolving career life.

Research the company you will be interested in working for and gather all the information you can to ask the interviewer appropriate questions regarding their mission, values, challenges they are facing and how you can help them achieve their goals in those areas.

Always find some background information about the employer from their website or the internet. Weave that information into your answers. This shows that you are genuinely interested in working there and took the time to prepare for the interview.

Before the interview, research about the company and the role. Be clear and concise on sharing your experience during the interview. Towards the end, remember to ask questions to have clear expectations on the role.

Landing your dream job often hinges on a successful interview. Beyond a strong resume, the ability to tailor your responses to the specific company and role can significantly increase your chances. 1. Deep Dive: Research the Company and Role Before stepping into the interview room, become an expert on the company and the position you're applying for. Here's what to dig into: Company Mission and Values: Visit the company website, social media pages, and news articles. Understand their goals, work culture, and the problems they're trying to solve. Example: The job description for a marketing manager role might highlight "strong social media marketing experience" and "proven ability to increase brand awareness."

I tell my candidates to outline their answers with the STAR method -- but tell it slightly differently: Think of the Situation and Task/Obstacle as CONFLICT. Open the story with the issue that needed to be addressed -- and what was at stake. Then, go right to RESULT. (That's what your listener cares about.) Now that they have a reason to listen to your story, and know where it's going, the ACTION you took to get there will be more interesting. And it will keep you from getting bogged down in the "I did this, then that" weeds. Finally, remember to make the link between your story and the company's current situation/need.

I am a strong believer in this model and I always tell my clients, use STAR model for articulate your success stories, your achievements in an interview. I call it guilt free promotion as it is fact base and short. Very important not extend the model either, be brief and come to the result and also mention what was your specific task in that situation, so using the "I" instead of always mentioning the team.

For behavioral interview questions, the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is an effective strategy to structure responses clearly and concisely. Tailor your answers to align with the job's requirements and company culture. For roles emphasizing teamwork, select an example where collaboration led to success. If customer service is key, share a scenario where you enhanced client satisfaction. This method not only demonstrates your relevant experience but also showcases your problem-solving skills and ability to contribute positively to the company's goals.

Research the STAR method. Read some of the simulated questions and their responses. Talk with an individual who has participated in the STAR method questions and responses. Practice with an individual who is willing to assist in the preparation in the STAR method.

Una técnica común para responder preguntas de comportamiento es el método STAR, que significa Situación, Tarea, Acción y Resultado. Esto te ayuda a estructurar tus respuestas de una manera clara y concisa, al tiempo que muestra cómo manejaste un escenario relevante en el pasado. Para adaptar tus respuestas, asegúrate de elegir una situación que coincida con los requisitos del trabajo y la cultura de la empresa. Por ejemplo, si el trabajo implica trabajo en equipo y colaboración, puedes elegir una situación en la que hayas trabajado con otros para lograr un resultado positivo. Si la empresa valora el servicio al cliente y la satisfacción, puede elegir una situación en la que haya resuelto un problema o haya superado las expectativas.

The unique thing about the STAR method is that it simplifies the communication process and ensures a unique delivery. But more importantly, it creates the best possible route in justifying your responses with clear thought patterns and understanding. I also think that public speaking means that you have the ability to to tweak the approach. For example, you can spotlight a result and subsequently share how you achieved the result. So this method supports flexibility. The caveat however is that in following this structure, there is a subtle danger of sounding “too artificial” which can make the audience lose touch of what you are saying. So I recommend STAR method but with a natural application that evokes emotions and relatability.

Or better yet, the BARDETTE method! B for Brief (reminds you to keep your answer brief but also to concisely state what it was you were called upon to do aka ‘the brief’ of the situation/what you were tasked with), A for the action you took, R for the results, DE for don’t end! T for tell-the-moral-of-the-story (connect the dots of what you’ve shared, with why that story is relevant to the job role you’re applying for and what value that will bring to the company), TE for ‘then end’!

Prepare answers to common interview questions using the STAR method. This is a technique that helps you structure your answers in a clear and concise way. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. You describe a situation or a task that you faced, the action that you took, and the result or outcome that you achieved

La méthode STAR (situation, tâche, action et résultat) vous aidera à développer des scénarios dans lesquels vous étiez au cours de vos expériences et les stratégies que vous avez utilisées pour les résoudre. Cela va vous aider à ne pas seulement réciter des théories mais des actions pratiques que vous avez vécues et prises.

My advice to everyone I've helped l prepare for an interview is that there are no questions asked just to fill an empty space or to kill time. Understand what the question is meant to find out about you, your approach to a certain situation, or your knowledge, skills, competence & experience. Answering the question in a way that makes them realise you know why they asked this particular question really makes you likeable and hireable. Remember, they chose to ask this question of all the possible questions they could have asked. Show your intelligence and let them also see your emotional intelligence when you answer.

One of the biggest challenges I've faced is getting rid of the kind of humility that holds you back. If you're raised in a family or society that believes pride is a sin, that people should be humble and modest, or that compliments are something to deflect, you're going to have a hard time emphasizing your value when you go into an interview. So remember this: this is your chance to sing your own praises. You aren't going into the interview to make a good showing, you are there to win. You're an Olympic athlete going for gold. You're a boxer looking to knock your competition out cold. You are there to win. Let them know that everything you've done in the past contributes directly to their success.

When emphasizing your value, the importance of relevance cannot be overstated! Taken together with knowing your audience by doing research on company values, goals, objectives, and mission provides context. You essentially paint a picture of the team/org with you in it for the prospective employer. Painting yourself into the company portrait, so to speak, demonstrates your ability to learn, understand, align, and promote their agenda over your own. Providing this context shows initiative and collaboration and makes the job of determining fit much easier. Effectively showing how you can make work life better is the most important of values to emphasize!

One thing I found helpful was to look at the challenges with my background experience and still found challenging and need to face it. In a new environment one of the wisest thing to do is listen and learn from everyone. In diferente environments experience sounds and taste different. Listen, watch and learn. Always.

This method goes hand-in-hand with being authentic. It is important to highlight both positive and negative experiences (in a non-emotional way) and the lessons you learn from both! Remember your path and experience is unique to you, and is what is going to get you hired to the right company.

In tailoring your interview responses, focus on demonstrating your unique value and how it aligns with the company’s objectives. Highlight specific skills or achievements and connect them to how you can address the company's challenges or contribute to its goals. For example, illustrate how a unique skill you possess has driven success in past roles and how you plan to use it to benefit the company. Briefly describe achievements, emphasizing the outcomes and their relevance to the potential employer. This strategy showcases your direct contribution to their success, making your application stand out.

Be proud of your intrinsic values and ofcourse dont lose sight of terminal values.Your emotional stability is a big asset, and talk about it, besides adaptability and openness to learning. It shows your willingness to work in teams be a great moral support and preparedness to accept any tasks.

While you are answering , emphasize your value by highlighting your past achievements or qualities which makes you a perfect job fit and culture fit For example: A Startup in the expansion phase may want stress management , flexibility and problem solving as a part of their culture fit. So, to emphasize your value highlight how you have managed stress , shown flexibility and solved problems in past. Be Specific with outcomes and examples !

You can only emphasize your value when you are aware of your value. Start by assessing what you truly bring to the table. What sets you apart? Why you vs. another candidate? Need help answering these questions? Send me message & I'll see how I can help!

It is important to understand the need for the position, your strengths and your skills that will not only transfer nicely in the position but also provide inevitable advantages and opportunity for success and impact. Use that to provide insight to the value you will bring to the growth and innovation in the role.

Authenticity is so refreshing to see during an interview. It demonstrates confidence and shows that you are comfortable in your own skin. It is often your authentic qualities that are the deciding factor during the selection process. So, be yourself. Your authentic self. And answer the questions directly and truthfully.

Before the interview, ask yourself what stories from your life might relate to the job position or the company. Then tell those stories with passion. These stories will help the interviewer remember you better and they will connect stories from your life with their company's mission, vision, and values. This, in turn, will connect your authenticity with the company.

In a day and age where lots of folks competing for roles may have similar skill sets, I always advise candidates to tie their answers to their own personal experiences. Most folks with ChatGPT can provide a qualified answer to a question, but a great candidate sets themselves apart with narratives about how that question has applied to or resonates with them. Being your authentic self doesn't have to be quirky, like wearing baseball caps around the office, it can be taking appropriate opportunities to be light-hearted. Ultimately if you portray yourself in a way that isn't authentic, how happy will you truly be presenting yourself that way if you are hired?

With over 20 years of experience as a consultant for executive teams, I faced a significant challenge: I appeared too young by conventional standards. In an attempt to compensate, I chose to act and pretend to be older. However, all I achieved was projecting a cold and overly strict image. That's when I decided to be honest, both with my audience and myself. One day, I told them, as I told myself: 'I know you might think I look very young, but if you focus on learning from the tools I have to offer, you can make a better judgment about their usefulness.' From that moment on, I realized that part of the problem was mine. Authenticity is closely tied to how you talk to yourself and face challenges. Breaking self-imposed barriers is key.

Authenticity is paramount when meeting a new opportunity. Highlight Strengths with Examples - Identify and emphasize key strengths, using a specific example to show how these abilities have led to successful outcomes in work or personal projects. Acknowledge Weaknesses Transparently: I demonstrate awareness of my weaknesses, but do so strategically, indicating that you understand these areas and are working on them. This honesty demonstrates self-awareness and a willingness to grow. Frame Weaknesses as Opportunities for Growth - Present your weaknesses as areas where you see potential for improvement. I then discuss specific strategies I have been employing to address these weaknesses, thereby turning them into growth opportunities.

Be you. Don’t exaggerate what you have done or can do as it will always come to light. It is okay to say I don’t know or haven’t had the opportunity yet. Tell a story or two about yourself so they can get a feel for who you are. Bring energy and speak clearly. Culture is a huge component in the workplace. By being your authentic self it helps all involved to see if you align with the company and ultimately that will help with your success.

Communicate your character not your credentials They already have your resume and you already got the interview. Find value in yourself. Define what at its core makes you a valuable addition to the team.(hint its not your degree or cert) Given the choice managers hire good people over skilled people every day. Be a good person, be a driven person, be a genuine person.

Often, it's necessary to admit to what one does not know or does not yet have the experience. The better approach with the recruiter is to state such upfront but quickly share a story about previous employment entailing a similar circumstance. Reveal the specifics of what you needed to quickly learn, how you applied the education to the circumstance, and your resulting proud moment. These types of stories generally 'seal the deal' with recruiters.

When hiring for positions and training others to do the same, we looked for fit with the role, the company, the team, and the client. During interviews, I encouraged candidates to do their part to assess fit. Meaning, were we going to fulfill their expectations, meet their criteria, etc. Interviewing isn’t a one-sided exploration. Being authentic is important for both parties. It’s the best way to jump start a solid relationship.

Job interviews are more about nonverbal communication than verbal. There are five impressions you want to convey with nonverbals: composure (no fidgeting, no interrupting, positive facial expression, alert but relaxed posture), responsiveness (eye contact, positive nonverbals and backchannels to their remarks), enthusiasm (animated voice and gesture, moderately close distance, moderately rapid speech), assertiveness (strong voice, firm handshake, upright posture, full gestures), and motivation (proper business attire, punctuality, fluent speech and fully developed remarks). If you get to the interview, then probably the content on your résumé fit what they need, which means now they want to see your chemistry with them and the organization.

Practice with chat GPT. Use the prompt “I am preparing for an interview for role X in industry Y. Here is the question. Here is the answer I am thinking. Can you rewrite my answer to suit the role? I want to project that I am good at skill X (eg handling conflicts)

Have a story or two that you can use during the interview that you can lean into to help convey the point/value you bring. Keep your responses brief and concise and no more than two minutes!

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is using the job description and person specification to generate possible questions. You can do this using AI. Also, if there are any industry specific issues in the news, you need to be aware of them so you can use them as examples in your answers.

Listen. Don't be so focused on telling about yourself that you don't ask them about themselves. What's everyone's favorite topic? Themselves. Ask about the interviewer. Why did they take the job, what was their career path, why do they stay, what advice would they give a new person coming in? If you want to really shine, let them shine brighter.

[THIS IS CRITICAL] What questions will you ask? What candidates ask at interviews tells me how much research they've done on the company and how passionate they are to get beyond the surface-level topics and themes within an interview. It shows genuine interest when you show up with questions. And if they all get answered, use your active listening skills to come up with new ones. I've never hired anyone who didn't have questions for me during or after the interview.

In my experience it is important to have skills that align with the role listed on your resume. For technical roles (SWE, DE, DS, Etc.) specifically, come prepared to discuss how you have incorporated the tech stack and tooling in your day to day and how that could relate to the needs of the role you are applying for. While it's great to include your exposure to all tooling, the degree at which you have expertise and understanding within the various tools will be essential to highlight to ensure the team understands the value and knowledge you bring. Companies value when you can highlight where you've taken initiative or ownership over challenges that your teams have faced, be sure to come prepared to highlight your specific contributions.

Tailor interview answers by researching the company's values, culture, and recent achievements. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the job requirements. Use storytelling to illustrate your strengths and accomplishments. Show enthusiasm and curiosity about the role and the company you’re interviewing with. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer to demonstrate your interest and engagement. Don't forget to showcase your personality and passion for the role, as cultural fit is often as important as qualifications. Actively listen to the interviewer and be sure to mirror their non-verbal cues.

You should not only be prepared to answer questions, you should prepare insightful questions. As a hiring manager, I learn quite a bit about a candidate by the questions asked - or lack thereof.

A job recruiter asked me, 'If you could be any animal, which would you be?' It only took a second to realize the perfect answer and apply it to the sales position available. I proudly stated, 'We once took a photographer's African Safari in Kenya and Tanzania. The giraffes ran quickly and gracefully (beyond the capacity of the others) and shined beautifully in the sunlight. Better yet, they have very long necks, allowing them to get the fruit at the top of the trees. Management complains about sales reps going after the low-hanging fruit, but in this case, I would shine like a star retrieving the fruit at the top!' With a shocked look of surprise but a big smile, the recruiter immediately asked another question, 'When can you start?'!