Are interview jitters getting the best of you? Do you ever struggle to organise your thoughts or articulate your strengths clearly when facing interview questions? Are you unsure of what you should have prepared when going into an interview?
If so, you’re not alone. Many job seekers find themselves fumbling for words, unsure how to effectively present their skills and experience. But fear not, there’s a simple yet powerful method to help you overcome this challenge: the “List of 3” Interview Technique.
Why Lists Work:
Presenting your skills and experiences in a clear and concise way is essential for interview success. Lists offer a simple yet effective method to achieve this. They provide a memorable and structured framework, making your responses easier to understand for both you and the interviewer.
Additionally, lists help you organise your thoughts, and allows you to tackle unexpected questions and responses in a methodical manner, preventing you from rambling or forgetting important points.
The Power of Three:
The number three holds a special significance in communication. It’s considered the “magic number” for persuasive messaging, offering the perfect balance between providing enough detail to be convincing without overwhelming the listener. Three points are easily digestible, allowing the interviewer to absorb your message effectively.
Applying the “List of 3” Technique:
This technique can be applied to a wide range of interview questions, especially those seeking specific examples or reasons for your suitability. Here are some common scenarios:
- “Why should we hire you?”
- “Describe your biggest weakness and how you overcome it.”
- “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you resolved it.”
- “What skills would you bring to this role?”
- “Why are you interested in this particular position?”
An Example in Action:
Let’s consider the question: “Why would you be successful in this role?”
Using the “List of 3”:
“I am confident I would be successful in this role for three key reasons:
- Strong Attention to Detail: I possess a keen eye for detail, allowing me to meticulously analyse complex data and present it in a clear, concise manner, which is crucial for effectively communicating insights to stakeholders.
- Data Visualisation Proficiency: I am proficient in utilising industry-leading visualisation tools like Power BI and Tableau. This allows me to create user-friendly reports and dashboards that translate technical data into easily understandable formats, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Organised and Action-Oriented: I excel at organising and managing large datasets, extracting actionable insights from technical analysis. This ensures that my findings are not just informative but also practical and implementable, adding tangible value to the team and organisation.”
You can reinforce each of these points with a quick example from your previous working experience to demonstrate these characteristics in action.
Extra Tips:
Remember, flexibility is key. While three points work well, adapting the number to two or four points depending on the situation is perfectly acceptable. Always ensure your points are concise, relevant, and impactful.
Remember, mastering the interview is a journey not a destination. Embrace the power of the “List of 3” technique, and combine it with additional tips that you can find on the Work Wise blog to transform your answers from bland, generic statements into compelling and convincing narratives that showcase your experience and value to prospective employers.
Remember! Practice makes perfect, an elite athlete doesn’t perform a technique for the first time in the dying moments of a final match; it’s something that they have practiced countless times. The same should apply to your interview answers.
Practice speaking the answers to yourself in the mirror or maybe a stuffed doll. Record the answers as a voice note and listen back to them [note – the sound of your own voice may take a little while to get used to!].
Hearing the response “outside of your own head” puts you in the shoes of the interviewer and you can improve on your response.
