{"id":15003,"date":"2018-02-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/identifi-global.eu.applyflow.com\/6-ways-to-expertly-sell-your-experience-in-an-interview\/"},"modified":"2022-12-09T06:14:33","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T06:14:33","slug":"6-ways-to-expertly-sell-your-experience-in-an-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.identifiglobal.com\/news\/6-ways-to-expertly-sell-your-experience-in-an-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"6 ways to expertly sell your experience in an interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\tIn the immortal words of Ella Fitzgerald: \u2018It ain\u2019t what you do, it\u2019s the way that you do it\u2019. <\/div>\n
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\n\tThat sentiment rings particularly true when you\u2019re selling yourself in an interview. It\u2019s the way in which you present your personal story and experience that will ultimately convince someone to hire you over someone else. <\/div>\n
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\n\tEmployers these days want to know whether you\u2019ll fit into the workplace culture, if you\u2019re a team player, if you\u2019re agile and how you cope under pressure. Illustrating your experience in the correct way will tell them all they need to know. <\/div>\n
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\n\tSo how do you convince them that you\u2019re the one they need? How do you position yourself as not just capable, but an expert? <\/div>\n
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\n\tHere\u2019s everything you need to know before you step into the interview room for your next role.<\/div>\n
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\n\t1. Don\u2019t think of a solution: be the solution<\/h2>\n
\n\tBefore you even begin to think of yourself as the answer to your target company\u2019s problem, you need to understand the problem they\u2019re experiencing. If there\u2019s a position to be filled, it\u2019s because the organisation needs something they don\u2019t already have. <\/div>\n
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\n\tDo they need a shorter sales pipeline? More up-to-date IT infrastructure? Agile, proactive management? Establish what the specifics of the role are and how the company as a whole will benefit from it being filled. Once you understand the role, you can start to determine how your experience fits the bill. <\/div>\n
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\n\t2. Show don\u2019t tell<\/h2>\n
\n\tNobody wants to hear about your great interpersonal skills, the fact that you\u2019re a strong leader or how you work well in a team. These types of responses are clich\u00e9d, lazy and near-meaningless. <\/div>\n
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\n\tIf you want to highlight your skills, focus on a specific example that demonstrates your effectiveness. What were the challenges? How did you overcome them? Did you enjoy the experience? What did you learn from it? What did you learn about yourself? Remember: show, don\u2019t tell.<\/div>\n
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\n\t3. Connect the dots<\/h2>\n
\n\tThink about the interview process as a painting. When you\u2019re painting, you need to layer colours and brushstrokes until you have a finished piece. <\/div>\n
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\n\tOnce you\u2019ve found specific, relevant examples of your experience, think about how these examples demonstrate your skills and competencies. Did the experience highlight your decision-making skills? Did it prove your powers of diplomacy? Did it show forward-thinking? <\/div>\n
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\n\tKeeping everything connected and fluid helps to build your story for the interviewer.<\/div>\n
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\n\t4. Shine like a STAR <\/h2>\n
\n\tA significant proportion of any interview is likely to be focussed on competency. In asking each candidate the same questions, the interviewer is supposed to achieve an objective view of all their candidates. So how do you make sure you stay cool, calm and that your answer proves you possess the necessary qualities? <\/div>\n
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\n\tThe STAR acronym technique provides one reliable method. By breaking your answer down into four sections, you ensure what you\u2019re saying is confident, concise and includes all the key details.<\/div>\n
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\n\tFor example, if an interviewer asked you to tell them about a tight deadline you\u2019ve met, you could give your answer as follows:<\/div>\n
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