Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Are you busy preparing for an upcoming interview? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll hear the phrase, “Tell me about a time you …”
Regardless of the rest of the statement, these situational interview questions can be daunting unless you recognize what a terrific opportunity they present.
This is your chance to highlight all you have to offer the organization by bringing your professional experience to life. You’ll be able to thoroughly showcase your professional accomplishments, helping you to connect with the hiring manager and stand out from the competition.
Work Your Accomplishments Into Your Stories
While it’s impossible to know precisely what questions you’ll be asked ahead of time, you can prepare for some common situational interview questions recruiters often ask.
Consider the following types of questions you can use to highlight what you’ll bring to the team by telling a story about a past experience.
1. A Story About Your Interests
Deceptively simple, it turns out one of the most challenging questions to answer is one in which you talk about yourself and your interests outside of work. Often used as an icebreaker, this is a chance for the hiring manager to get to know you better.
While you should keep your answer light, don’t miss the opportunity to showcase how you’ll fit in with the team.
For example, you might note that you love to spend time with family and friends, go on hikes with your dog, and read. Perhaps you love to travel and are always looking for new places to explore.
A diverse range of interests will allow you to connect with a wide range of people, which most managers will value in a potential team member. Balancing dedication and the ability to have fun is essential in any environment.
2. A Story About Meeting a Goal
Hiring managers love to hear stories about candidates who have previously met challenging goals. It shows that you are motivated and capable of setting and achieving objectives.
When preparing for an interview, take some time to think about a goal you met in the past and the steps you took to reach it. This will show the hiring manager you have what it takes to succeed.
For example, maybe you set and achieved a goal of increasing sales at your previous job by 20% in one year. You can discuss strategies used to achieve this goal, such as implementing a new marketing campaign or training your sales team on effective selling techniques.
Whatever your story is, focus on how you achieved the goal and what skills and qualities you used to do it.
3. A Story About a Mistake You Made
You want to come across as confident and competent, but you also don’t want to seem like you’re trying to hide anything. So, what do you do when they ask you about a time when you made a mistake at work?
Prepare a specific example that will showcase your problem-solving skills, and be prepared to discuss the steps you took to resolve the issue.
What did you learn from the experience? How did it make you a better employee?
Answering this question honestly and confidently will show your interviewer that you’re not afraid to own up to your mistakes and that you’re always learning and growing as an individual.
4. A Story About Working as a Team
Collaboration is a critical skill that employers value, so it’s a good idea to have a story ready about a time when you worked well with your team. Perhaps you helped to overcome some negative team dynamics or came up with the idea that led to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Whatever the details of your story, make sure to highlight your communication skills.
Employers will look for evidence that you can work well with others, so this is an excellent opportunity to show off your teamwork skills.
5. A Story About Overcoming a Challenge
Interviewers love to ask candidates about times when they faced a challenge and overcame it. This question allows interviewers to uncover your analytical skills and how you handle adversity.
For example, you might talk about a time when you had to troubleshoot a software issue or resolve a conflict between team members.
In each case, explain your steps to solve the problem and how your actions led to a positive outcome.
6. A Story About Showing Leadership Qualities
Have a story ready about a time when you took on a leadership role, even if it wasn’t part of your job description.
Leaders are not always in formal positions of authority — sometimes, they are the ones who take the initiative and get things done, even when no one is asking them to.
Maybe you saw a problem at work that needed to be addressed, and you took it upon yourself to devise a solution. Or, perhaps you took charge of a project when your team struggled to get it off the ground.
Stories like these can show hiring managers that you are a critical thinker and can motivate a team to get results.
7. A Story About a Time You Dealt With Interpersonal Conflict
Leaders often look for stories about candidates who have overcome interpersonal conflict with other team members. It shows that the candidate can handle difficult situations and constructively resolve disputes.
Be prepared to share the details of what happened and how you resolved the issue. They want to see that you can:
- Stay calm under pressure.
- See both sides of the story.
- Find common ground.
- Come up with a fair resolution.
8. A Story About What Motivates You
One of the most common interview questions is, “What motivates you?” Hiring managers will be able to use this information to determine whether or not you’d be a good fit for their company culture.
To get your brainstorming started, consider the following questions.
- Are you motivated by challenging goals?
- Do you love the opportunity to learn new things?
- Do you thrive working with a team of like-minded individuals?
- Are you passionate about feeling like your work is making a difference?
- Do you thrive with routine tasks and common goals?
Have Your Stories Ready to Highlight Your Accomplishments
Preparing for open-ended questions doesn’t need to be daunting. By reflecting on your past experiences, you can ensure that you are ready to share engaging stories that will impress the hiring manager and help you land the job.
