There is lots of interview advice out there, but Tierney Remick takes an interesting approach to what hiring managers are really looking for in an interview. She says that much of what employers are testing for is “behavioral competency” – they want to know how you have personally responded to past obstacles, what you’ve done to overcome those obstacles, and how your leadership has had an effect on the organization as a whole. So in interviews, instead of focusing on your career progression, focus on how you’ve learned from challenges in your past. A few common questions asked in interviews are:
- Tell me about an initiative that you conceived and were responsible for executing. What challenges did you expect and what challenges did you encounter? How did you overcome them?
- What constructive criticism have you received in the past that surprised you the most?
- What would your best friend/children/spouse say they like most about you?
When answering, be honest and confident. Remick says “Knowing yourself and being authentic are critical if you want to be as powerful during an interview as you can be.”