Beyond the Positive Spin

Interview Tip 3 of 10

Respond to generic questions with concise, engaging hero stories.

EXAMPLE

Question: “What do you find challenging about your current/last job?”

Incorrect Response:
"I think the work is challenging, but I’m glad that I get to learn new skills."

Stronger Response:
"I think that having so many projects to juggle at the same time can be challenging, but I built myself a spreadsheet that helps keep everything organized, and now our whole team uses it to increase efficiency."

In the first response, the positive spin is there, but it’s generic and boring. Anyone can say it.

In the second response, only you can say it. The experience is specific to you, and you’re showing that you take initiative to resolve issues.

Don’t do this for every single question necessarily, but be judicious. Otherwise, you’ll seem too full of yourself.