An executive coach with over two decades of experience, who previously served as a senior director of human resources at Microsoft for 15 years, shares invaluable insights on acing job interviews. With a simple yet effective trick, she assists individuals in identifying and showcasing their strengths, offering guidance that stems from her extensive career. Now heading her own firm, she emphasizes the importance of specific examples from both personal and professional life to leave a lasting impression on potential employers.
To highlight one's strengths effectively, she advises compiling a list of 20 to 30 examples of personal endeavors or projects. These should be activities you found enjoyable and are proud of, whether at home or work. Her strategy involves allocating equal time to explain the problem and demonstrate the strength applied in each scenario. She states,
"Spend about 50% of your time outlining the problem and 50% of the time outlining your strength."
This approach helps candidates craft a compelling narrative, enhancing their interview performance.
Working closely with her clients, she curates a comprehensive library of stories that candidates can draw upon during interviews. One common pitfall she highlights is the tendency to use generic phrases such as "I'm smart, I work hard and I get things done," which often fail to impress interviewers. Instead, she encourages candidates to offer concrete examples that demonstrate their capabilities and achievements. For instance, she recalls a successful project where
"we landed the clients in our consultancy firm,"
leading to a substantial
"Not only was it a million-dollar contract, but they renewed for five years straight."
In addition to her coaching services, she is offering an online course titled "How to Use AI to Be More Successful at Work," available on CNBC. The course provides insights into leveraging artificial intelligence for professional success. Priced at $67 plus taxes and fees, the course includes an introductory discount of 30% off until February 11, 2025.