A lot of jobs require someone who can think on their feet
or present ideas with crispness and clarity. This question provides employers
with an early preview of your core skills, your personality, and your ability
to respond to an unstructured question.
This is something you'll be asked a lot at the beginning
of an interview.
Here are three tips that'll help you nail the opener.
Be short-term, honest, and attractive.
The interviewer is looking for an answer that shows them
you're qualified and can respond to an unstructured question.
Use the job description to prepare.
Re-read what they want and highlight the most required
skills that you have.
Are they looking for someone who can solve problems or
deal with tough customers?
Pick a few and brainstorm how you can describe yourself
while showcasing your strengths for what they’re seeking.
Tie your story to their needs.
People love a good story, so texture in some personality. For example, maybe you fell in love with the hospitality industry because your grandparents ran a bed and breakfast. Connect your story back to the job, keep it short, and be truthful.
Tips
Prepare for this question in advance and have a convincing
story about your past experiences.
Pull prominent skills from the job description.
2. What is your greatest strength?
Employers want to see if you can strike the right balance
between confidence and self-effacement.
Hiring managers also want to get a sense for how
self-aware and honest you are and align your strengths to the role at hand.
When responding to this question, you want to sound humble and not like you’re arrogant or bragging.
Here are some tips to help you give them a great answer.
Describe a relevant experience.
If you're applying for a sales job, tell a story about a
time where you helped a customer solve a problem with your solution.
Give specific details.
Tell them about a time you closed a deal that helped you
hit a percentage of your annual number. When you share those facts with them,
it helps them visualize how effective you have been.
Show them you’re a well-rounded person.
For example, share a story of when you used a “soft”
skill, like effective communication with a coworker, and then one about you
using a technical skill, which could be anything asked for in the job
description.
Tips
Be reliable - don’t make up strengths that you think the
employer wants to hear.
Tell a story about a work experience.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
The interviewer is assessing whether your weaknesses will
get in the way of doing the job.
Employers are looking for humility and whether you’re
committed to learning and growing.
This is a place you can showcase what you’re doing to improve.
This can feel like a tricky question, but it’s a good opportunity to shine. Here are some tips on how to answer:
Be humble.
You want to communicate a true story that shows you're
self-aware. It's okay that you don't come off as perfect, that's authentic,
which is important for someone who will have to trust you in the role that
they're hiring for.
Choose a trait that is not too relevant to the job.
For example, if you're applying for a project manager
role, choose a weakness that is more related to creativity, which is something
that doesn't disqualify you from the description of the things that would make
someone successful in that role
Show how you manage it.
Have a fix-it strategy. For example, if you struggle with remembering product details so you track them in their phone or side notebook, that's okay, share that with them. That shows that you've got commitment to solving that problem and addressing it.
Tips
Employers are looking for self-awareness and personal
accountability.
It’s good to be honest about what you’re not great at.
Share what you are doing to actively improve on this weakness.
This question tests how convincing you are. Interviewers
want to see if you can make a calm, confident case for yourself, even if
they’re acting doubtful. They’re looking for truthful and convincing answers.
This is a nerve-racking question, so make sure you're set
up for success.
Here are some tips that can help you do well in answering it:
Ask yourself why you think you’re qualified.
Prepare for the interview by picking three or four
qualifications and experiences that help them understand why you're a fit for
this job.
Tell them how you’d fit in.
Paint a picture of what you’d accomplish that gives you a
leg up on the competition. Also, show them why you are a great match for this
company by letting them see that you know about their mission, their vision,
how they operate—and how you would fit into that really well.
Speak genuinely.
How you say something is as important as what you say. So, when you're sharing your successes and you're answering these questions, speak like the best version of yourself and make sure that you're doing it in a way that allows the interviewers to connect to you.
Tips
Start with the three or four best reasons you’ve got.
Cite results, credentials, and other people’s praise so
you don’t seem self-absorbed.
Be concise and invite follow-up questions at the end.
5.Why do you want to work here?
Interviewers want to understand what prompted you to
apply for this job. They don’t want candidates who are indifferent to where
they work. Instead, they want someone who offers very specific reasons for why
they want this job.
You would be amazed by how few people get this question
right. So you've got a big opportunity to shine.
Make it all about them.
Your best answer will be about what they need. It'll show
that you've done your research and have thought through what you can contribute
to that team.
Show them how you can help.
Weave your story into the context of what you can
contribute. If you have strong accounting skills and are interviewing for a
finance role at a humane society, you could suggest that this job would allow
you to blend your professional skills with your passion for animals.
Speak from the heart.
Telling a genuine story can make a big difference. For example, I once worked with a client who was applying for a zoo event manager job and she had grown up next door to that zoo and had great memories of the peacocks flying over the fence and sitting on her dad's car. So, her answer was that she wanted people to have fun memories of that zoo just like she did. Try to top that.
Tips
Make it about them first.
Show you’ve done your research.
Use this as a key opportunity to outshine the
competition.
Speak from the heart
6. Tell me about a time you showed leadership.
Employers want to understand your capacity to step up and handle tough situations that undoubtedly arise in the workplace. They want to know when you’ve seen an opening to lean in and lead with good judgment.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story
that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing
Tips
Describe a situation where there was a lack of
leadership.
Use the word “lead” to help describe the actions you
took.
Give credit to your ‘leadership skills’ when explaining the positive results.
7. Tell me about a time you were successful on a team.
If you can show that you’ve helped a team move through a
challenge, you probably have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
These kinds of “soft” skills are in high demand and make people successful in
their jobs.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Describe a problem that arose with a team.
Outline your key actions with the team.
Explain the positive result based on the work you did.
Give credit to your teamwork skills.
8. What would your co-workers say about you?
Interviewers want to know if you’ll fit in with the team.
This question can also help you highlight your strengths without feeling like
you’re bragging.
This question gives you an opportunity to share how amazing you are—without feeling like you're showboating. Here are three quick tips on how to answer it:
Find features that fit.
Re-read the job description and look for answers that go well with it. For example, if they need a strong problem solver, maybe you can share that your office nickname is “The Fixer” because you're so good at solving tough challenges
Share some of your reviews.
Before the interview, go through your LinkedIn
recommendations and performance reviews and see if there are some gold nuggets
you might want to show them. And if it's on LinkedIn, mention it to the
interviewers so they can read the whole recommendation if they want more
detail.
Back it up with evidence.
If you think your colleagues would say that you're super creative, resist the urge to say “People like that I can think outside of the box”. Instead, share a tangible example of your creativity that ties to the job description.
Tips
Share something that relates to the job description and
back it with an example.
Look to your recommendations and reviews for ideas.
Be confident and succinct. It’s OK to shine!
9.Why do you want to leave your current role?
Employers say they want to hire people who are running
“to” a role as opposed to running “away.” However, they are also interested in
your honesty when things haven’t worked out and will give people second chances
when they demonstrate hunger.
Hiring managers will often ask this question, and it's a test. Are you running away from something, or are you running towards something? The advice when you get this question is simple:
Stay positive.
Employers want to see that you have a good attitude in
general. Resist the temptation to say bad things about your current job,
employer, or boss.
Focus on where you’d like to go.
You should come off as someone who is looking forward,
not backward. Portray your interests more in the light of what you want to get
out of your next role.
Bring it back to them.
Show them that you’ve done your homework about their company, and relate what you tell them back to the specific job you're interviewing for.
Tips
Don’t talk negatively about past roles or former bosses -
employers don’t want to work with people who complain.
Be gracious when things haven’t worked out in the past.
Share some of the ways you’re working on improving.
10. Describe your most challenging project.
Employers want to get a sense of what ‘challenging’ means
to you. They also want to know how you handled the situation in a calm way.
They’re looking for a storyline to prove that you can turn a bad story into a
good story.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the
problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to
include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It
drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Have a clear story with a specific challenge.
Describe the negative impact if you hadn’t resolved the
issue.
Discuss action steps you took and talk about the positive impact.
11. Tell me about something you’ve accomplishedthat you are proud of.
This question assesses how you define a professional
success. If the story resonates, the employer will want you to do similar
things at his or her company. You should focus on the impact and outcomes.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Describe the problem that existed before you acted.
Talk about how you took initiative to solve the problem.
Explain why you are proud of the outcome and what would have happened if you hadn’t stepped in.
12. Can you explain your employment gap?
This question isn’t designed to rule you out - it’s a
good sign if you get the interview. Interviewers want to get more context
about the gap and whether you’re still going to be a great fit for the role,
despite the gap.
Most people are nervous about how a gap will be perceived—even if there's a good explanation, But if they’ve invited you in for an interview, then the gap hasn’t ruled you out. Here are some tips on how to discuss it:
Be honest.
The truth will set you free. Try to put the situation
into the best light and don't lie; it's bound to come back and haunt you. So if
your job was eliminated through a merger, just say so.
Speak with confidence.
For example, if you had taken some time away from
working, avoid acting like you're embarrassed, apologetic or ashamed. The
interviewer is going to pick up on that. Instead, pause and you see how they
respond. The more calm, succinct and confident you are, the more at ease the
interviewer will be with your answer—and with you.
Show the benefits of your time off.
Bring up the good that came out of that time whether you were laid off, stepped away to be with family, or even got fired. It's a great way to reframe the situation and an opportunity to showcase some useful skills that you gained during that time.
Tips
Expect that they will ask about the gap - prepare for it.
Answer honestly and strategically.
Be confident and succinct.
Shine a light on the good that came out of that time.
14. What are your salary expectations?
If this question arises early, odds are that the
interviewer is really asking: “Can we afford you?” If it arises much later, the
interviewer may be hoping that your salary requirements are aligned to what
they have budgeted for this role.
This is a question you'll get all too often, so here are a few tips to help you master the answer:
Give them a salary range.
Let them know there’s room to negotiate (instead of
starting with a specific number). Avoid going too low though, because that's
going to work against your interests. And don’t go too high either, or you may
freeze yourself out of the opportunity.
Do some neutral research.
Give them a reasonable place to start from. You can use a resource like the LinkedIn Salary Tool to find out what other companies are paying people in this role and share with them what you learned about this salary range. Then they’ll have to base their compensation at least on those numbers because you've let them know what other similar organizations are giving to employees who do that job.
Tips
Know the industry norms for similar jobs.
Talk about ranges, rather than exact numbers.
Make the case that you offer premium value.
14. What do you like to do outside of work?
Interviewers want to know you’re going to be enjoyable to
have around and not just that you have the hard skills for the job. Use this
question to set yourself up as interesting, fun, curious, or a go-getter.
With this question, employers are looking to get a feel for your likability and cultural fit. So what should you say—and not say? Here are a few tips.
Pick one of your favorites.
Go ahead and share something about your hobbies,
volunteer work, or the places you enjoy traveling to. Maybe you're taking
classes to help you accelerate your skills. In general, you just want to tell
them something that's true and will paint you as an interesting, healthy, or
good human being.
Keep it short.
For example, if you're a bird watcher in your free time,
skip the 22-minute account of every species you've ever documented. Share
enthusiastically so your passion shines through, but don't ramble on endlessly.
Doing so might give the people to whom you're trying to make a good impression
the feeling that you're nervous or that brevity just isn't your strong suit.
Stick to appropriate topics.
Avoid anything that might be pulverizing or offends somebody who's not a part of a particular group like politics or religion. Choose something uncontroversial or beneficial and take advantage of the opportunity to show them that you're the complete package.
Tips
Share something that paints a favorable picture.
Keep it short and sweet.
Don’t bore them with long stories.
Steer clear of the inappropriate zone.
15. Tell me about a time you had to manage conflicting priorities.
Employers want to see how you handle competing
priorities, understand the implications of missing deadlines, and can stay cool
under pressure.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through. Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Talk about the most important priority and then share
additional priorities and how they conflicted.
Describe the steps you took to get the top priority done.
Discuss the impact this had on the company or team.
16. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Employers want to determine how serious
you are about your career and whether your goals match the goals for
this job. Employers don’t expect you to offer up a specific title you
want. Instead, they want to know what you hope to accomplish.
The key to answering this question is to focus on what you
can give to the employers or the role. Here are three tips:
Break the time into chunks.
Let them know what you might do in each two-to-three year
period. This helps the interviewer to visualize and see what you're describing.
Take them through what you plan to do in the first few years and how you plan
to take it up a notch in the years after that.
Talk about how your goals will help them.
Paint a vivid picture about the value that you plan to
deliver within each of those two-to-three year chunks that you described.
Avoid talking about job titles.
Resist the urge to tell them about what you want your position to be in two, three, or five years because that can come off as overly presumptuous.
Tips
Break the answer down in two to three-year chunks.
Focus on what you can give, rather than what you can get.
Don’t bring up a specific job title that you want to move
into one day.
Make it specific to this company and position.
17. Describe your leadership style.
Good leaders can explain their values and priorities in a
few words. This is a test to see if you can explain yourself. It also helps to
determine whether your approach meshes with the company’s own culture.
This is a question you’ll hear a lot and answering with authenticity is key. Here are three tips I have to help you get started
Be clear about your leadership style.
Don’t be vague or ambivalent. If you're a team builder, say so. If you're tough, but fair, own it. Be very concise and clear on how you define your leadership so that they know very well what you're all about.
Give a detailed example that highlights it.
Talk about a situation, a problem or an obstacle, and
then walk through what did you do and what was the result. What did it mean to
your organization, company, and the customer? And be sure to include how you
brought your team along, because this isn't all about you.
Show situations where you've adapted.
Life's not going to be simple. People want to see how you've grown and changed given the situation. Just like you look for that in the people you're going to hire, the same thing with the hiring manager who's looking to hire you.
Tips
Start by framing your basic style in a few words.
Give an example of your leadership style in action.
Show that you can adapt well to unexpected situations.
18. Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake.
Being able to admit to a mistake shows maturity and personal
accountability. Employers want to know you’re self-aware and that you learn from
past experiences. Errors are inevitable in any job - it’s how you handle them
that matters.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story
that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Use an honest example that’s believable.
Explain why it was a mistake.
Talk about what you’ve learned and any steps you’ve taken to show that you’re “working on it”.
19. Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult person.
Employers know that difficult people are everywhere, and
situations come up frequently. Explaining how you’ve been able to handle a
challenging person in a mature way demonstrates your ability to manage
difficult moments successfully.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Describe how the person was ‘difficult’.
Explain the negative potential impact this could have
caused.
Talk about how you approached the situation.
Be sure to highlight the positive result your efforts created
20. Tell me about a time you had to persuade some one.
This question is all about sizing up your emotional
intelligence. Interviewers are looking for problem solvers, not shouters.
Strong answers showcase your listening skills and your ability to guide people
to better choices.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story
that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Pick an issue where your agenda is in the broader
interest.
Show how your careful listening helped you reframe the
controversy.
Explain how the other person’s change of heart led to a better outcome for all.
21. Tell me about a time you disagreed withsomeone
Occasional conflicts are a fact of life. Interviewers
want to see if you can work through those tensions in a respectful way. If you
helped steer things toward a good compromise, that’s a big plus. Signs of anger
or bitterness will count against you.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story
that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Pick an example involving business practices - avoid
personal quarrels.
Calmly explain both sides’ point of view.
Show how a compromise or a fuller understanding led to a good outcome.
22.Tell me about a time you created a goal andachieved it.
Strong answers reassure interviewers about your ambition
and your determination to press ahead. Pick a trivial goal, and you’re at risk
of being tagged as a slacker.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story
that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the
problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to
include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It
drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Pick an ambitious goal that’s part of a bigger life
journey.
Highlight obstacles and show how you overcame them.
Finish with an insight about the way your accomplishment has paid off.
23. Tell me about a time you surpassed people’sexpectations.
Employers want to know they are hiring high quality
people. If you have a story about surpassing an expectation, you’ve probably
gone above and beyond the call of duty and that’s a great thing!
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story
that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Describe a situation where you thought you weren’t going
to be successful.
Talk about what you did to compensate for a bad
situation.
Talk about the outcomes of your successful efforts.
24. Tell me about a time you had to handlepressure.
Some jobs are high-stress and interviewers will test you
to see if you can handle the heat. You’ll get partial credit for talking about
your heroic efforts to get everything done, but you’ll get more points if
you’ve enlisted allies.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through. Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Tips
Be clear about the project goal.
Establish that you’re a strong person who doesn’t get
flustered easily.
Show your ingenious side, too, especially if your path to success involved redefining the task or enlisting colleagues.
25. Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly.
Interviewers want more than a one-time success; they’re
looking for signs of a well-tested strategy that helps you gather information
and put it to use. They also want to know if you feel comfortable with rapid
learning.
Respond to this kind of question with a compelling story that uses the "SAR" framework: situation, action, and results.
Describe the situation.
Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were
the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what
resources did you have--or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so
it should be about three to four sentences long.
Get into the action.
Speak about the key milestones that you went through.
Tell them what you did to turn the situation around. Don't go into too much
detail though. It should only be about two to three sentences, and try to use
active verbs, things like “I implemented” or “I persuaded”.
Show the results.
Let them know how well things turned out, how the problems were solved and what you may have learned along the way. Try to include a clincher at the end, like dollars saved or improved profitability. It drives home that you did a great thing.
Tips
Pick a vivid example and show why it was challenging.
Break down your learning and mastery into three or four
distinct steps (“First, I . . . .).
Share a tangible result and speak about it with pride.