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Blog additional 1
Strength-based Interviews
Strength-based interviews are a type of interview that focuses on identifying and assessing a person's strengths, attributes, and qualities rather than specific skills and experiences.
Interview questions tend to delve into what energises and motivates the candidates.
Questions tend to be open-ended and exploratory, encouraging candidates to discuss situations where they felt particularly successful, proud, or energized. Employers can then assess how well aligned candidates are to the organization's unique culture and ethics.
When answering questions, tailor your responses to the specific job you applied for. For instance, if you applied for a customer service role, you should mention that you love working with people and highlight your excellent customer service skills. This can be demonstrated through your relevant experience and the positive feedback you have received from similar work.
These are the kind of questions you could get asked:
• What activities or tasks make you lose track of time when you're doing them?
• Tell me about a moment when you felt very proud of your work?
• Describe a situation when you faced a big challenge and felt energized to find a solution?
• Please share an experience where you collaborated with a team and felt a strong sense of camaraderie and accomplishment?
• What kind of feedback have you received from colleagues about your strengths?
Preparing thoughtful responses to these questions can showcase not only your strengths and passion for the job you applied for, but also your enthusiasm for life in general. Your ethics and values are of utmost importance.
Selling yourself effectively
Selling yourself effectively in a job interview involves using various selling techniques to persuade the employer that you are the ideal candidate for the position.
Here are some key selling techniques to consider:
Storytelling: Use storytelling to illustrate your skills and experiences. Instead of just listing your achievements, share specific examples of challenges you've faced, actions you've taken, and the positive outcomes you've achieved. Paint a vivid picture of your past successes to demonstrate your capabilities. While doing so, please pay attention to the pace of your delivery and the way you set the scene, making it easy for the interviewer to follow your story.
STAR Method: The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a structured approach to answering behavioural interview questions. Start by describing the situation, then outline the task you needed to accomplish, detail the actions you took, and finally, explain the results you achieved. This method helps you provide well-structured and compelling answers, all while ensuring you stay on track when presenting your examples. Since job interviews can often be stressful, having a solid and well-rehearsed structure is beneficial.
Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use quantifiable data to support your claims. Numbers, percentages, and statistics can make your accomplishments more convincing. For example, "I reduced processing errors by 30% in the first quarter" is more persuasive than simply saying, "I improved efficiencies."
Tailoring Responses and Being Specific: Customise your responses to align with the specific needs of the company and the role you're interviewing for. Highlight experiences and skills that directly relate to the job description and company culture. Show that you've done your homework and understand what the employer is looking for by being as specific and to the point as possible.
Value Proposition: Clearly communicate the value you bring to the organization. Explain how your skills and experiences can benefit the company in both the short term and long term. Emphasise how you can contribute to the company's goals and overall success.
Problem-Solving and Innovation: Showcase your problem-solving abilities. Discuss instances where you identified challenges, developed solutions, and implemented them successfully. Employers value candidates who can proactively address issues and drive positive outcomes while being innovative.
Confidence, Enthusiasm and Passion: Project confidence in your abilities and enthusiasm for the role and the company. Maintain good eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and use a friendly and engaging tone. Your body language and tone play a significant role in how your message is received. Feel free to show your passion for various facets of life and work, especially when it resonates with the specific job or company you're discussing.
Overcoming Objections: Be prepared to address potential concerns or objections the employer may have about your qualifications. If you have a gap in your resume or lack experience in a particular area, explain how your transferable skills or willingness to learn make you a strong candidate. It`s okay to disagree with the interviewer as long as you do it in a tactful manner and have a healthy debate about it.
Closing Statement: At the end of the interview, reiterate your interest in the position and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the company. Ask about the next steps in the hiring process to show your eagerness to move forward.
Remember that selling yourself in a job interview is not about being overly aggressive or self-centred; it's about going into the interview with the plan of effectively conveying your value and fit for the role. By using these selling techniques, you can leave a positive and memorable impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of landing the job.
Blog additional 2
A different perspective on success
Success, in its true essence, goes beyond worldly measures. It begins with self-awareness, where we observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment. To truly succeed, we must transcend the ego, realising it as separate from our true selves. Inner peace is integral to this journey, arising when we let go of external desires and live in the present moment.
Success flourishes when we surrender to life's flow, understanding that control is an illusion. Success is an inner journey of self-awareness, ego-transcendence, inner peace, present-moment living, and surrender to life's flow, offering profound fulfilment within ourselves.
This approach to success, when applied to career progression or indeed interview preparation, offers several significant benefits:
Self-awareness enables you to better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, helping you make informed career and life choices and align your path with your true calling.
Transcending the ego in the context of your career allows you to be more adaptable and open to learning. It reduces the impact of pride and fear, making it easier to accept feedback, take calculated risks, and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
Finding inner peace amidst the demands of a career can enhance your resilience and emotional intelligence. It equips you to handle workplace stress with grace, maintaining your focus and creativity even in challenging situations.
Living in the present moment in your life means you're fully engaged and attentive, leading to improved decision-making and the ability to seize opportunities as they arise.
However, surrendering to the flow of your life doesn't imply passivity but rather an openness to change and a willingness to trust the process. It can lead to more authentic and fulfilling choices, aligning your professional journey with your deepest values.
Live in the moment, trust the process!
Blog additional 3
additional blog 4
Innovation Through emotional intelligence (eq)
Emotional intelligence is often associated with interpersonal skills, but its impact on fostering innovation and creativity within an organisation is an aspect that is often overlooked in discussions about job interviews and career advancement.
Showcasing your ability to be innovative during a job interview highlights your capacity to drive positive change, adapt to evolving work environments, and contribute fresh ideas, making you an invaluable asset to the prospective employer.
Let’s explore the role of EQ in detail:
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Psychological Safety and Creativity: EQ plays a significant role in creating an environment of psychological safety in the workplace. In job interviews, candidates with high EQ can emphasize their ability to foster an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable sharing innovative ideas without fear of criticism or rejection. Such environments are conducive to creativity and innovation.
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Collaborative Problem-Solving: High EQ individuals excel in collaborative problem-solving, a critical aspect of innovation. During job interviews, candidates can highlight their EQ by discussing experiences where they contributed to creative solutions through effective teamwork and conflict resolution.
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Handling Failure and Learning from It: EQ helps individuals bounce back from setbacks and failures, a crucial skill in both job interviews and career progression. Emotionally intelligent candidates can share stories of how they turned failures into opportunities for growth and innovation, demonstrating their adaptability and resilience.
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Embracing Diversity of Thought: EQ enables individuals to appreciate and leverage the diversity of thought and perspective in the workplace. In interviews, candidates can emphasise their ability to incorporate different viewpoints into their decision-making processes, fostering a more innovative and inclusive work culture.
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Risk-Taking and EQ: Innovation often involves taking calculated risks. High EQ individuals can navigate risk-taking with a balanced approach, considering both emotional and rational factors. In interviews, candidates can showcase their EQ by discussing instances where they successfully managed risks and achieved innovative outcomes.
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EQ in Leadership and Innovation: Organisations seek leaders who can drive innovation. EQ is crucial for leaders to inspire and motivate their teams to think creatively. Candidates can highlight their EQ by sharing leadership experiences that led to innovative projects or initiatives within their previous roles.
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Adaptability to Change: Innovation often requires adapting to change and embracing new technologies and methodologies. High EQ individuals tend to be more adaptable and open to change. During interviews, candidates can illustrate their EQ by discussing how they navigated and embraced changes in their careers to stay at the forefront of their industries.
By recognising the connection between emotional intelligence and innovation, candidates can position themselves as valuable assets who not only contribute to a company's bottom line but also help it stay competitive and forward-thinking.
In job interviews, emphasising one's EQ in relation to fostering creativity and innovation can set candidates apart and demonstrate their potential to drive positive change and advancement within an organization.
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