The #1 Thing to Focus on in a Job Interview to Get Hired

Key Concepts

• Functions vs. Personality: Focus on demonstrating what you can do (functions) rather than who you are (personality).
• Power Story: A narrative that effectively showcases your ability to perform the required functions of the job.
• Job Description Analysis: Prioritize the responsibilities section to identify key functions.
• Critical Areas: Determine the most important aspects of the role to tailor your story effectively.
• Story Streamlining: Condense and focus your story on the most relevant functional aspects.

1. Identifying the Right Story for an Interview

• Scenario 1: No Job Description:
  • Assess the team, goals, and potential problems based on your experience.
  • Choose a story that illustrates how you achieved similar goals by overcoming similar problems.
• Scenario 2: With Job Description:
  • Prioritize the responsibilities section, including any overview or summary statements.
  • Identify the functions you will be performing.
  • Select a story that demonstrates your ability to perform those functions.

2. The Importance of Functions

• You are hired for your ability to perform specific functions.
• Personality traits are assessed through the undercurrent of your functional stories.
• Focus on stories that showcase your functional capabilities.
• Example: "She can develop the strategy, the road map, and roll it out" - this is a function.

3. Selecting a Power Story

• Choose a story that encompasses as many of the required functions as possible.
• The ideal story demonstrates your ability to perform multiple functions within a single narrative.
• If multiple projects are relevant, consider if they can be combined into a single, comprehensive story.

4. Case Study: HR Professional

• An HR professional had experience overhauling an entire HR department over several years.
• The job description included responsibilities related to recruiting, career development, employee satisfaction, and HR systems.
• The coach advised her to focus on the story of how she built the HR department, compressing the timeline and highlighting the most relevant functional aspects.
• This story demonstrated her ability to address multiple HR challenges and implement comprehensive solutions.

5. Tailoring the Story to Critical Areas

• Identify the most critical areas of the position early in the recruitment process.
• Inquire about the most important aspects of the role during the recruitment screening.
• Reference the recruiter's insights during the interview to show you understand the priorities.
• Example: "The recruiter mentioned that these are some of the most critical areas. I have a project related to that."

6. Storytelling Techniques

• Frame your story to address specific needs.
• Example: If employee happiness is a priority, focus on how you assessed and improved employee satisfaction.
• Highlight the assessment process, interventions, and results.
• Start the story at a point that emphasizes the most relevant aspects for the interviewer.
• Don't just mention running a survey; tell a story about how you evaluated happiness levels, identified unhappy employees, and implemented solutions.

7. Addressing Imperfect Matches

• If you don't have a perfect story, find the best analogy.
• Adapt your existing experiences to fit the requirements of the role.
• Consider your background, experience, and the type of position you are seeking.

8. Synthesis/Conclusion

The key to a successful interview is to identify the functions required for the job and select a "power story" that demonstrates your ability to perform those functions. Analyze the job description, prioritize responsibilities, and tailor your story to address the most critical areas. Even if you don't have a perfect match, find the best analogy and adapt your experiences to showcase your capabilities. Focus on what you can do rather than who you are.