Job Interview Tips: Developing Interview Stories

By Michaela Partridge

Share on: 

Michaela Partridge


I would like to introduce you to a technique that will improve your interview skills and get you ahead of the competition.

 
There are some interview questions that are predictable and you must know how you are going to answer these questions without spending precious interview time thinking for too long or waffling because you are not prepared.  If you are not prepared you will not get ahead of the competition – simple!   


Job Interview Tips - Preparation Is Key!


The key to success is to prepare a succinct and well versed response to questions such as:-

“What type of activities were you involved with in your last job that successfully used your x skills?”  Or

“Give me examples of the types of experiences you have had managing x”. 


Now, you might be wondering how you will fully prepare and remember all the important messages you want to convey. It isn’t so difficult if you follow a formula of developing stories that are easy to recall and can be articulated succinctly and quickly. The SOAR method has been tried and tested with positive results and I’m sure it will help you too.   


But before I describe how the SOAR method works you need to do some work to identify your skills/assets and your achievements.  Once you have identified them you will use them to develop achievement stories for interviews using the SOAR method.   If you would like help to identify your skills/assets and your achievements please contact me. 

 

Job Interview Tips: The SOAR Method


The SOAR method is excellent for developing achievement stories that showcase your skills.  In an interview, your SOAR answers provide specific information on the Situation, Obstacles, Actions and Results.  The SOAR acronym is easy to remember and will help you organise material in interview situations.  Taking the question for instance, “tell me about your achievements in your current post”, here is how it works:


Situation:
What was the situation?

Obstacles:
Describe the obstacles you faced.

Actions:
List the actions you took.

Results:
Describe the results you helped obtain and the benefits to your employer.


Using the SOAR method you can prepare 10 to 20 achievement stories based on commonly asked interview questions. Check out this link for sample interview questions and other useful information.  
 


If you have enjoyed reading this article, it is one of a series that we explore further in our FREE fortnightly webinars. If you would like to find out more you can register for any of our FREE 90 minute webinars here.

Please click my profile link above to contact me here on Social-Hire or to connect with me on my other social media accounts

Michaela Partridge
Careers Specialist
Work’s A Dream


 

Learn more about Social Hire

At Social Hire, we don't just do social.

What the Social Hire gang loves is making a difference for our clients, and we don't want to waste your, or our resources on campaigns that aren't right for your organisation, if it doesn't get your organisation the difference you need - we prefer a better approach. When your business utilises social media management, Social Hire get your brand the exposure it needs and offer your business the lift it needs to improve.

Our digital marketing managers are the wizards that can give you the insight you need to develop your business. Have you had enough of making complex personnel choices that don't work well for your digital presence?

The social media marketers in our company are the best in the business at helping our partners enhance their online marketing. We outline and implement cutting-edge social media marketing plans that help our customers realise their organisational objectives and further their social media presence. Our experienced team of digital experts do your social media strategy creation and management in an uncomplicated monthly plan that is cost-effective and is genuinely useful, whatever results you demand from your online marketing management.

Our team of managers are a team that assists our partners improve their digital presence by producing online marketing services on a regular basis. Our service is transparent and economical, which ensures that you get a great service and results that make a difference when you utilise our services. We arrange many different marketing services for enterprises from small businesses to large corporations to help make the most of of your company's digital and social marketing.

You might like these blog posts 5 Ways to Get More Leads for Your Small Business, This is What Wellness Programs Used to Look Like [Infographic], How to Right the Wrongs When Things Go Awry, and Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make And How To Avoid Them.

  Back to Candidate blogs