One Step Ahead

Monday, July 7th, 2008

Interview Snippet - Show an example of when…

The question “Give an example of when…” is used in every interview I have been to. It’s often used to look for examples of teamwork, communication and other key skills.

“Give us an example of when you worked in a team?”

“Show an example of when you dealt with a difficult customer?”

The question isn’t as simple as it seems however - it’s also testing your ability to talk, and to draw on  pertinent experience from your past.

In answering the question:

• Make sure your example is relavent, and that it shows the skills you are being questioned on.
• Explain the background to the example, and talk through it stage by stage in a logical order.
• Show other skills besides the one focussed on by the question

Avoid:

• Simple answers such as “I used teamwork at University.” It shows very little about your experience!
• Digressing to much from the question!

Example

“Give an example of when you worked in a team?”

“During my time at University I worked on several projects as part of a larger group, sometimes physically seperated. In my final year I led a team that created a new Widget for my design module, as part of a team of five.”