Remember the rules you learned in school when writing an essay, story or making a presentation?
Things should have a beginning, a middle and an end. This is exactly what filmmakers and novelists also learn to hook their viewers. Narratives have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Our brains expect this pattern and when it’s missing, something feels off. It feels unsatisfying.
The same applies during your job interview answer.
In a previous article Strategy Hacks to Ace Your Next Job Interview we covered some tips on how to answer the popular job question ‘what’s your greatest weakness?’.
Now let’s dive into your delivery of this information.
When your examples of workplace strengths and weaknesses are wrapped in the blanket of a story, your example should start in the past (beginning), continue over some time (middle) and taper out into the present (end).
As part of this formula you must reveal how your weakness showed up in the past (e.g. when did it begin? In which situations? In which particular phase did it become critical?).
Always be specific. Include little details rather than being general and sweeping. Pack your story timeline with details of how the situation evolved.
How do you unlock specific nuggets of information and jog your memory?
Tip #1: Use the 5 Ws of journalism
Here are some prompt ideas:
The final stage of your answer (the END) is when you express how you’re working to master your weakness.
Explain where you woke up to your stumbling, how you sought solutions, which solutions were best and how they worked out. How did you master, minimize or bring your weaker areas under control?
Tip #2: Seize a storytelling strategy to make a deep impression
By answering in a story-like manner with a beginning, middle and end, you’re showing the listener several amazing things that are certain to impress:
By doing this, it demonstrates that you’re proud to grow both in your personal development and as a professional in your industry.
AUTHOR BIO
This article is from the latest CareerLove release: Turn Your Weakness Into Strength: A Step-By-Step Interview Strategy. For over 15 years at CareerLove International Coaching I've helped professionals around the world move closer to their dream job. Now what about you?
The Social Hire team don't just do social media.
We create and implement original social media marketing plans that help our customers accomplish their organisational objectives and build up their online footprint.
We're an organisation that helps our clients boost their social media marketing by offering social media marketing on a monthly basis.
You might like these blog posts The Best Live Events And Conferences For Small Business Owners, 5 Small Social Media Mistakes Which Can De-value Your Brand, The L.E.G.O principle explained, and How to Improve your Workplace Productivity in 5 Easy Steps.