Section 6: Interview Preparation and Skills/Strengths Validation Story

By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified

Securing a job can often come down to the interview stage, so it’s important for job seekers to put in the necessary preparation. Before attending an interview, it’s important to understand the job description and be able to demonstrate why your skills and experience are a good fit for what the company is looking for. To do this, it’s essential that you create a portfolio of work that showcases what you have accomplished in past roles. This will also help you when discussing your skills, strengths and weaknesses during an interview.
Practicing questions in advance is also key to successful interviewing. Job seekers should research common interview questions and practice giving detailed answers out loud, as well as practice talking about their skillset in an organized manner. It’s also helpful for job seekers to take time to think about any potential areas for improvement so they can show employers that they are open-minded and willing to learn new things on the job.
Finally, one of the most effective ways of showcasing your qualifications is through a ‘validation story’ which tells how you solved a problem or created value at a previous role or project. A validation story should highlight key accomplishments while emphasizing how those achievements might benefit a potential employer’s business. By creating compelling validation stories ahead of time, job seekers can be better prepared when answering tough questions during interviews and make sure they stand out from other applicants.

By following these last six blogs, job seekers can maximize their chances of success in their job search journey by ensuring they are well-prepared for whatever comes their way during an interview process.
Please let me know if this helped you. If you are struggling in search, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Every success,
Linda