1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:03,789 Speaker 1: Shortlisted is brought to you by Future Women's Jobs Academy. 2 00:00:04,079 --> 00:00:07,190 Speaker 1: Getting back to work after a career break isn't easy. 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:11,300 Speaker 1: Future Women's Jobs Academy is a free online programme supported 4 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: by the Australian government. It's proven to increase confidence and 5 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:22,850 Speaker 1: connect women with meaningful and flexible jobs. Apply today at jobsacademy.uwomen.com. 6 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,229 Speaker 1: We'll support you to find the right job and thrive. 7 00:00:29,030 --> 00:00:31,739 Speaker 1: Nothing makes a person go weak at the knees quite 8 00:00:31,739 --> 00:00:36,470 Speaker 1: like a job interview. Enter shortlisted. A podcast by future 9 00:00:36,470 --> 00:00:40,060 Speaker 1: women where Helen McCabe and I hold your virtual hand, 10 00:00:40,348 --> 00:00:43,270 Speaker 1: walking with you every step of the way right to 11 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:46,830 Speaker 1: the interview door and straight onto the shortlist. 12 00:00:47,869 --> 00:00:51,900 Speaker 1: In this episode, we'll teach you a really simple formula 13 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:57,599 Speaker 1: to answer literally any situational interview question. The star method 14 00:00:57,869 --> 00:01:01,220 Speaker 1: isn't about the content of your answer, it's an approach 15 00:01:01,220 --> 00:01:05,750 Speaker 1: to structuring your thoughts in a really clever and compelling way. 16 00:01:07,250 --> 00:01:12,830 Speaker 2: So, how to prepare a killer response? What's your first 17 00:01:12,830 --> 00:01:14,919 Speaker 2: reaction to that concept? No, 18 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:17,279 Speaker 1: I I I'm wracked with nerves because the idea of 19 00:01:17,279 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: a killer response suggests to me that one answer is 20 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 1: going to win you the interview. And, sorry to terrify 21 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:26,988 Speaker 1: you folks, I think the reality is that's probably true, 22 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:30,190 Speaker 1: but you get a number of shots at it. It's 23 00:01:30,190 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: not like there's one question where they go, this, this 24 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,110 Speaker 1: answer defines the interview. It's more like, 25 00:01:36,165 --> 00:01:39,794 Speaker 1: Through the interview, interviewers are looking for that moment where 26 00:01:39,794 --> 00:01:42,035 Speaker 1: they go, Oh yeah, I like them, or that's just 27 00:01:42,035 --> 00:01:44,595 Speaker 1: what we're looking for. So, I don't think we need 28 00:01:44,595 --> 00:01:47,824 Speaker 1: to put all the pressure on a single killer response. 29 00:01:48,194 --> 00:01:50,474 Speaker 1: It's about trying to maximise the chances that you're gonna 30 00:01:50,474 --> 00:01:53,904 Speaker 1: answer every question well, and something is going to appeal 31 00:01:53,904 --> 00:01:58,474 Speaker 1: in there to the interviewer or the interviewers that you're meeting. Helen, 32 00:01:58,514 --> 00:02:00,175 Speaker 1: can you tell me a bit about some of the 33 00:02:00,699 --> 00:02:03,900 Speaker 1: The questions that come up again and again, and we 34 00:02:03,900 --> 00:02:08,059 Speaker 1: know this is the case, because sometimes I go into interviews, 35 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:09,850 Speaker 1: and if I'm interviewing a lot of people in one day, 36 00:02:10,020 --> 00:02:12,220 Speaker 1: I start to be bored by myself, by the fact 37 00:02:12,220 --> 00:02:15,059 Speaker 1: that I keep going to the same questions. What are 38 00:02:15,059 --> 00:02:17,220 Speaker 1: some of those ones that come up a whole lot 39 00:02:17,220 --> 00:02:17,460 Speaker 1: of the 40 00:02:17,460 --> 00:02:20,220 Speaker 2: time? So I'm gonna say a killer response terrifies me 41 00:02:20,220 --> 00:02:21,660 Speaker 2: because it sounds like I have to be funny. 42 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 2: And very, very few people are actually really genuinely funny, 43 00:02:25,258 --> 00:02:26,929 Speaker 2: so I want to take that off the table, don't 44 00:02:26,929 --> 00:02:33,080 Speaker 2: worry about having to be humorous. If you are, well done, congratulations. They, the, the, the, 45 00:02:33,169 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 2: the common types of questions fall into, 46 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,429 Speaker 2: The concept of tell me about yourself. So, that is, 47 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:44,410 Speaker 2: why are you the right fit and what are your strengths. So, 48 00:02:44,679 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 2: that's super common, and that is what you should be 49 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,279 Speaker 2: prepared to answer, and that does require quite a bit 50 00:02:51,279 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 2: of thought often, because they're hard to answer those questions. Like, 51 00:02:54,419 --> 00:02:54,919 Speaker 2: what are your 52 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:55,479 Speaker 1: strengths? How much? 53 00:02:55,735 --> 00:02:57,994 Speaker 1: Detail do you want? Where should I start with telling 54 00:02:57,994 --> 00:03:00,424 Speaker 1: you about myself? Like, I was born, 55 00:03:00,633 --> 00:03:02,395 Speaker 2: you know? Well, I, I think if you asked me to, 56 00:03:02,554 --> 00:03:05,024 Speaker 2: to tell you my strengths right now, I couldn't do it. 57 00:03:05,274 --> 00:03:07,434 Speaker 2: And we all have lots of different strengths, so I 58 00:03:07,434 --> 00:03:11,103 Speaker 2: would think about the job you're applying for and the organisation, 59 00:03:11,225 --> 00:03:14,994 Speaker 2: so it maybe stick to those. But what's the answer? 60 00:03:15,929 --> 00:03:18,570 Speaker 1: I would say there's a few ways to think about this. 61 00:03:18,729 --> 00:03:21,250 Speaker 1: Most interviews do start with a prompt to get you 62 00:03:21,250 --> 00:03:24,529 Speaker 1: to start telling your story. And while you shouldn't totally 63 00:03:24,529 --> 00:03:26,490 Speaker 1: ignore the question, I do think you can make like 64 00:03:26,490 --> 00:03:28,809 Speaker 1: a politician a little bit and say what you wanna 65 00:03:28,809 --> 00:03:32,889 Speaker 1: say to set the scene. So, talk about yourself. Be 66 00:03:32,889 --> 00:03:36,009 Speaker 1: ready with what part of your story you want to 67 00:03:36,009 --> 00:03:37,690 Speaker 1: tell and where you're going to begin. 68 00:03:38,300 --> 00:03:41,380 Speaker 1: For example, I wouldn't go back now in my mid-thirties, 69 00:03:41,460 --> 00:03:44,419 Speaker 1: I would not go back to my school and university days. 70 00:03:44,500 --> 00:03:47,820 Speaker 1: I feel like they're not really relevant anymore. I would 71 00:03:47,820 --> 00:03:51,649 Speaker 1: start with the first significant leadership role I had and say, 72 00:03:51,779 --> 00:03:54,539 Speaker 1: before that, I was working in blah, very broadly. 73 00:03:55,050 --> 00:03:57,419 Speaker 1: And I would try and link it as quickly as 74 00:03:57,419 --> 00:03:59,889 Speaker 1: I could to the job that I was going for, 75 00:04:00,059 --> 00:04:02,889 Speaker 1: and why those strengths or the content of that work, 76 00:04:03,020 --> 00:04:06,610 Speaker 1: or the things I learned, lead me to this opportunity 77 00:04:06,610 --> 00:04:08,539 Speaker 1: and me thinking that I'm gonna bring a lot to 78 00:04:08,539 --> 00:04:09,210 Speaker 1: this role. 79 00:04:09,759 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 1: I tend to talk about the kind of person I am. 80 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:14,949 Speaker 1: I think strengths are hard because strengths makes you feel 81 00:04:14,949 --> 00:04:18,359 Speaker 1: a lot of pressure. It's a bit like the killer answer, right? 82 00:04:18,549 --> 00:04:20,429 Speaker 1: There's a lot of pressure in what your strengths are, 83 00:04:20,589 --> 00:04:23,079 Speaker 1: but everyone has strengths, and I think talking about what 84 00:04:23,079 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 1: you enjoy is a good way to start, because you 85 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 1: usually like what you're 86 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 2: good at. Yeah, and I would just add on the 87 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:30,118 Speaker 2: strengths point, um. 88 00:04:30,959 --> 00:04:34,470 Speaker 2: Having done a lot of this work through our training 89 00:04:34,470 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 2: programmes at Future Women, uh, there's a tendency of women 90 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:45,750 Speaker 2: to lean on strengths like being a good team member, collaborative, empathetic, fabulous. 91 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,289 Speaker 2: That's great, but I'm probably not hiring you for those strengths. 92 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 2: I wanna know that you are detail oriented, that you're 93 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 2: great at a spreadsheet, that you can write. 94 00:04:56,450 --> 00:05:00,808 Speaker 2: A press release in 35 minutes. Like, I think it's 95 00:05:00,809 --> 00:05:06,170 Speaker 2: worth really thinking about specific strengths that you would be 96 00:05:06,170 --> 00:05:08,010 Speaker 2: prepared to pay for if you were the 97 00:05:08,010 --> 00:05:11,649 Speaker 1: employer. Yeah, I think that that's great, and they're detailed, right? 98 00:05:12,149 --> 00:05:14,799 Speaker 1: Um, uh, giving that detail of, I'm good with a 99 00:05:14,799 --> 00:05:18,369 Speaker 1: damn spreadsheet is a really great way of summarising your 100 00:05:18,369 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: skill set. Yeah, 101 00:05:19,079 --> 00:05:21,988 Speaker 2: and even if I don't want someone with a spreadsheet ability, 102 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 2: I'm thinking, oh, that might be helpful to have around. So, I, I, 103 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:29,559 Speaker 2: I would, in terms of strength, be think quite clearly 104 00:05:29,559 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 2: about what you are, I mean, it could be, 105 00:05:33,149 --> 00:05:36,940 Speaker 2: Have a wildly creative flair. We, we hired someone who 106 00:05:37,190 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 2: admitted while she had an extraordinary academic record, also was 107 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:44,869 Speaker 2: quite creative, which was really appealing to us to have 108 00:05:44,869 --> 00:05:47,309 Speaker 2: those two sets of skills. We hired someone in a 109 00:05:47,309 --> 00:05:49,989 Speaker 2: role that required no legal ability, but she had a 110 00:05:49,988 --> 00:05:50,829 Speaker 2: legal background. 111 00:05:51,390 --> 00:05:54,149 Speaker 2: So, you know, you're getting 2 for the price of 1, 112 00:05:54,369 --> 00:05:57,609 Speaker 2: if you can identify strengths that are in addition to 113 00:05:57,609 --> 00:05:59,010 Speaker 2: the strengths that are part of the 114 00:05:59,010 --> 00:06:01,970 Speaker 1: role. And I think human strengths are relevant too. You 115 00:06:01,970 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: can't rely on them only, but the things that, uh, 116 00:06:05,649 --> 00:06:08,529 Speaker 1: strengths of your character, I think, are also relevant. I 117 00:06:08,529 --> 00:06:12,049 Speaker 1: love people, for example, who are willing to have a 118 00:06:12,049 --> 00:06:14,790 Speaker 1: go at anything. I always love it if someone says, 119 00:06:15,049 --> 00:06:16,410 Speaker 1: Give me your task, even if I don't know how 120 00:06:16,410 --> 00:06:16,940 Speaker 1: to do it, I 121 00:06:16,985 --> 00:06:19,175 Speaker 1: I will have a crack, uh, or I know how 122 00:06:19,175 --> 00:06:22,455 Speaker 1: to ask someone and find the information I need to 123 00:06:22,455 --> 00:06:24,446 Speaker 1: be able to figure out how to answer your question. 124 00:06:24,536 --> 00:06:26,895 Speaker 1: You know, I'm someone who will do the research, will 125 00:06:26,895 --> 00:06:29,496 Speaker 1: do the work to be able to deliver. Um, I 126 00:06:29,496 --> 00:06:33,575 Speaker 1: love people who talk about being results driven. I personally 127 00:06:33,575 --> 00:06:36,135 Speaker 1: enjoy people who say that they're competitive. I think that's 128 00:06:36,135 --> 00:06:39,735 Speaker 1: a bit more of a controversial one. and I'm someone 129 00:06:39,735 --> 00:06:42,295 Speaker 1: who is always really drawn in by someone who says 130 00:06:42,295 --> 00:06:42,735 Speaker 1: they're enthusias. 131 00:06:43,821 --> 00:06:46,181 Speaker 1: Because the last thing you want in your workplace is 132 00:06:46,182 --> 00:06:49,351 Speaker 1: someone who sort of hangs back, never puts their hand up, 133 00:06:49,582 --> 00:06:51,981 Speaker 1: isn't necessarily someone who's gonna dive in when there's a 134 00:06:51,981 --> 00:06:55,861 Speaker 1: new task. And enthusiastic says to me, even if this 135 00:06:55,861 --> 00:06:58,902 Speaker 1: is not my exact job description, even if you've given 136 00:06:58,902 --> 00:07:02,062 Speaker 1: me a particular job to do today that I'm not 137 00:07:02,062 --> 00:07:04,861 Speaker 1: thrilled about, I'm still gonna attack it with every bit 138 00:07:04,861 --> 00:07:05,742 Speaker 1: of enthusiasm I've 139 00:07:05,742 --> 00:07:08,641 Speaker 2: got. And this is controversial, I think, but 140 00:07:09,230 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 2: I have a red flag if someone's strength is they 141 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:13,769 Speaker 2: like to support others. 142 00:07:14,140 --> 00:07:15,149 Speaker 1: Oh, why? 143 00:07:15,399 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 2: Well, because, I need you to do something. I don't. 144 00:07:22,119 --> 00:07:26,399 Speaker 2: I don't want, I don't have the space in my 145 00:07:26,399 --> 00:07:30,399 Speaker 2: team to have someone that's cheerleading the people that are 146 00:07:30,399 --> 00:07:34,839 Speaker 2: doing the work. Now, I'm gonna be wildly gender specific 147 00:07:34,839 --> 00:07:39,679 Speaker 2: about this. I often, you'll find in teams of men 148 00:07:39,679 --> 00:07:43,269 Speaker 2: and women, you'll have the guy who likes to support 149 00:07:43,269 --> 00:07:47,970 Speaker 2: the women doing the work. And I've just spent, I guess, 150 00:07:48,559 --> 00:07:51,309 Speaker 2: Too long seeing that happen. And so anyone who says, 151 00:07:51,510 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 2: you know, I'm really good at supporting the team. No, no, no, 152 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 2: the team means everyone does something. So, I said it 153 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:03,079 Speaker 2: would be controversial, but, um, that is something for me 154 00:08:03,079 --> 00:08:07,329 Speaker 2: that is not a strength. We all should support each other. 155 00:08:07,559 --> 00:08:09,119 Speaker 2: That's kind of a bit of a 156 00:08:09,119 --> 00:08:10,190 Speaker 1: given. Yeah. 157 00:08:10,859 --> 00:08:13,369 Speaker 1: One of the other common questions that gets asked, Helen, 158 00:08:13,459 --> 00:08:18,730 Speaker 1: is some variation of what are your greatest weaknesses, or 159 00:08:18,940 --> 00:08:21,739 Speaker 1: tell me about a time that you failed, or is 160 00:08:21,739 --> 00:08:25,420 Speaker 1: there anything that you wish you were better at, that 161 00:08:25,420 --> 00:08:28,260 Speaker 1: you'd like to improve? What are you looking for if 162 00:08:28,260 --> 00:08:30,089 Speaker 1: you ask a question like that in an interview? 163 00:08:30,910 --> 00:08:34,489 Speaker 2: Uh, not a lot, actually, just an ability to kind 164 00:08:34,489 --> 00:08:36,650 Speaker 2: of tell a story and get to know the person 165 00:08:36,650 --> 00:08:37,359 Speaker 2: a little better. 166 00:08:37,950 --> 00:08:41,020 Speaker 2: I mean, it might elicit an interesting story about someone 167 00:08:41,020 --> 00:08:45,179 Speaker 2: who's had something big happen, but it's really just developing 168 00:08:45,179 --> 00:08:48,940 Speaker 2: the narrative and the light and shade, and seeing their 169 00:08:48,940 --> 00:08:52,179 Speaker 2: confidence and seeing their personality come to life. So, I 170 00:08:52,179 --> 00:08:56,590 Speaker 2: don't think you have to overthink those questions. Where do 171 00:08:56,590 --> 00:09:00,500 Speaker 2: you see yourself in 5 years is interesting, so I 172 00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:03,010 Speaker 2: would give that a little bit of thought. Most people say, 173 00:09:03,260 --> 00:09:06,390 Speaker 2: I don't really know. Most women say, I don't know. 174 00:09:06,445 --> 00:09:09,155 Speaker 2: So, but I do think it's worth saying, actually, I'd 175 00:09:09,155 --> 00:09:12,765 Speaker 2: like to run a division, or I'd like to be, um, 176 00:09:12,794 --> 00:09:14,875 Speaker 2: running my own business, you know, I'm doing this to 177 00:09:14,875 --> 00:09:18,074 Speaker 2: get experience. Um, if you, if you do have an ambition, 178 00:09:18,114 --> 00:09:20,515 Speaker 2: this is a good time to share it. Um, I 179 00:09:20,515 --> 00:09:25,825 Speaker 2: think it's perfectly reasonable to set, um, the, the pathway, 180 00:09:25,955 --> 00:09:29,184 Speaker 2: because if you get that job, uh, your employer's already gone, Well, 181 00:09:30,150 --> 00:09:33,419 Speaker 2: Jamilla wants to run the company in the next 5 years. 182 00:09:33,669 --> 00:09:36,699 Speaker 2: That's exactly the sort of employee I'm looking for, and 183 00:09:37,109 --> 00:09:39,830 Speaker 2: you know, you've, you've put your flag in the ground. 184 00:09:40,919 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: I think there are also those questions, of course, that 185 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:45,919 Speaker 1: are sort of specific to the role. And HR experts 186 00:09:45,919 --> 00:09:49,419 Speaker 1: say that you can generally group the roles and responsibilities 187 00:09:49,419 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 1: into 3 to 5 themes that you could expect to 188 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,239 Speaker 1: be asked about, and those are key traits, characteristics, or 189 00:09:56,239 --> 00:09:59,079 Speaker 1: skill sets essential to the role. And I think with 190 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:00,250 Speaker 1: this one, you just need to 191 00:10:00,299 --> 00:10:02,409 Speaker 1: Remember that you do not have to meet 100% of 192 00:10:02,409 --> 00:10:06,209 Speaker 1: the criteria. When you look at a job description, and 193 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:09,049 Speaker 1: that job description is being ticked through the 7 or 194 00:10:09,049 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: 8 things in it, in the conversation that you're having 195 00:10:12,250 --> 00:10:15,609 Speaker 1: with an interviewer, if you don't have one of those skills, 196 00:10:15,650 --> 00:10:18,479 Speaker 1: or if you haven't done one of those things before, 197 00:10:18,969 --> 00:10:20,049 Speaker 1: just say so. 198 00:10:20,830 --> 00:10:24,809 Speaker 1: I have never, ever hired someone who exactly meets all 199 00:10:24,809 --> 00:10:28,460 Speaker 1: of the criteria, but usually they have met some criteria 200 00:10:28,460 --> 00:10:31,770 Speaker 1: I haven't listed, which is gonna be helpful. And I 201 00:10:31,770 --> 00:10:33,848 Speaker 1: think you've got to trust the person who's interviewing you 202 00:10:33,849 --> 00:10:36,369 Speaker 1: to know that, because they know the other skill sets 203 00:10:36,369 --> 00:10:39,130 Speaker 1: that are missing in the company and the other things 204 00:10:39,130 --> 00:10:42,369 Speaker 1: in that organisation that might be helpful. So, just be 205 00:10:42,369 --> 00:10:44,890 Speaker 1: honest and open and show a willingness to learn. 206 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:46,209 Speaker 1: So it's really 207 00:10:46,210 --> 00:10:49,690 Speaker 2: common to be asked a real life scenario, or to 208 00:10:49,690 --> 00:10:53,690 Speaker 2: give a specific example that demonstrate your experience or skills, e.g., 209 00:10:54,090 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 2: how you managed a difficult team member, dealt with competing priorities, 210 00:10:57,809 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 2: demonstrated leadership, etc. This is something you, you should prepare for. 211 00:11:02,770 --> 00:11:06,799 Speaker 2: And again, it doesn't have to be a huge problem. So, 212 00:11:06,929 --> 00:11:09,559 Speaker 2: I remember someone saying to me recently that it can 213 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:13,169 Speaker 2: be just being at the tennis club, and you were 214 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:16,710 Speaker 2: The treasurer of the club and you had a difficult 215 00:11:16,710 --> 00:11:19,469 Speaker 2: conflict or difficult environment in which to manage, it can 216 00:11:19,469 --> 00:11:22,630 Speaker 2: be that simple. It can be about putting the groceries 217 00:11:22,630 --> 00:11:26,750 Speaker 2: in the car, in the car park at Woolworths. That's OK. 218 00:11:26,869 --> 00:11:30,510 Speaker 2: You don't have to have the grand challenge of running 219 00:11:30,510 --> 00:11:33,429 Speaker 2: a law firm and being a partner and, you know, 220 00:11:33,630 --> 00:11:36,909 Speaker 2: a piece of business going to a competitor. 221 00:11:37,599 --> 00:11:42,919 Speaker 2: It can be quite small and quite illuminating in many ways, um, 222 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,559 Speaker 2: and particularly, uh, you know, I, I raise that because 223 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 2: many of you will not have worked for a while, 224 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:52,309 Speaker 2: so don't be afraid to use an example. 225 00:11:52,719 --> 00:11:56,830 Speaker 2: That is every day, but equally speaks to your skill 226 00:11:56,830 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 2: set at managing difficult environments. 227 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I once interviewed a woman for a role who 228 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,159 Speaker 1: had 6 kids, and she hadn't worked since she'd had 229 00:12:03,159 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: the first one, and so I think she'd been out 230 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:07,559 Speaker 1: of the workforce 10 or 12 years. And I asked 231 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:10,478 Speaker 1: her about managing a difficult team member, and she said, 232 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: I manage a difficult team member every day because there 233 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 1: was always one child who was just not pulling their 234 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:18,070 Speaker 1: weight in the team. And she just, uh, she was funny, 235 00:12:18,119 --> 00:12:19,549 Speaker 1: and she was warm, and she gave some great 236 00:12:19,594 --> 00:12:22,974 Speaker 1: Examples. And it did speak to the ability to work 237 00:12:22,974 --> 00:12:26,005 Speaker 1: with people when they're not always at their best, uh, 238 00:12:26,104 --> 00:12:28,145 Speaker 1: and to make sure that the team pulls together in 239 00:12:28,145 --> 00:12:30,145 Speaker 1: times where you have to compensate for someone who's not 240 00:12:30,145 --> 00:12:31,944 Speaker 1: doing so well. But she did it in a way 241 00:12:31,945 --> 00:12:35,864 Speaker 1: that spoke to her, and I suppose acknowledged her lack 242 00:12:35,864 --> 00:12:38,934 Speaker 1: of experience in the workplace in the last decade or so, 243 00:12:39,184 --> 00:12:41,705 Speaker 1: but also proved at the same time, it's not like 244 00:12:41,705 --> 00:12:42,424 Speaker 1: I haven't been learning 245 00:12:42,424 --> 00:12:46,465 Speaker 2: things. No, and that running a household is not incredibly difficult. 246 00:12:46,950 --> 00:12:50,309 Speaker 2: Um, so, the other point to make about how to 247 00:12:50,309 --> 00:12:54,340 Speaker 2: prepare a killer response is that preparation is important. So, 248 00:12:54,750 --> 00:12:57,069 Speaker 2: you don't have to be super funny, and you don't 249 00:12:57,070 --> 00:13:00,190 Speaker 2: have to be, have run a really big team or 250 00:13:00,190 --> 00:13:03,030 Speaker 2: have had major problems in your career. You can have 251 00:13:03,030 --> 00:13:05,590 Speaker 2: small things, but you need to have thought about them. 252 00:13:05,710 --> 00:13:09,390 Speaker 2: And that will, and even write them down, practise them 253 00:13:09,390 --> 00:13:12,349 Speaker 2: out loud, uh, shoot the breeze over a cup of 254 00:13:12,349 --> 00:13:14,989 Speaker 2: coffee one morning with a friend about how you'd answer. 255 00:13:15,469 --> 00:13:17,429 Speaker 2: You know, one of those key questions like how to 256 00:13:17,429 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 2: manage a difficult team member or demonstrated leadership. 257 00:13:20,630 --> 00:13:23,429 Speaker 1: That's a really important point. I am someone, I have 258 00:13:23,429 --> 00:13:26,069 Speaker 1: a bad memory anyway, but when someone says to me, 259 00:13:26,299 --> 00:13:28,739 Speaker 1: Tell me about a time you've managed a difficult team member, 260 00:13:28,869 --> 00:13:30,869 Speaker 1: I've managed a bunch of difficult team members, but when 261 00:13:30,869 --> 00:13:32,390 Speaker 1: you ask me, I go, Ah, I don't know. I 262 00:13:32,390 --> 00:13:35,189 Speaker 1: don't think I've ever done it. Um, I often will 263 00:13:35,190 --> 00:13:36,510 Speaker 1: go to my partner, or I will. 264 00:13:36,565 --> 00:13:38,744 Speaker 1: Go to my sister or my parents or a friend 265 00:13:38,744 --> 00:13:42,603 Speaker 1: or a former colleague and ask them, because other people 266 00:13:42,604 --> 00:13:46,034 Speaker 1: remember your best stories. And you've often gone home to 267 00:13:46,034 --> 00:13:48,205 Speaker 1: your partner or your housemate or whoever it might be, 268 00:13:48,234 --> 00:13:51,025 Speaker 1: and gone, Oh, God, I just can't get around this. 269 00:13:51,195 --> 00:13:54,184 Speaker 1: And so they can remind you of the moments where 270 00:13:54,184 --> 00:13:56,705 Speaker 1: you had a problem, and then you can remind yourself 271 00:13:56,705 --> 00:13:58,564 Speaker 1: of how you got through it. Perfect. 272 00:13:59,690 --> 00:14:03,289 Speaker 1: So, Helen, there's a particular method called the star method 273 00:14:03,289 --> 00:14:07,049 Speaker 1: that is sort of the accepted best practise for structuring 274 00:14:07,049 --> 00:14:10,968 Speaker 1: clear and compelling responses to common questions. For some of you, 275 00:14:11,010 --> 00:14:14,289 Speaker 1: this might be a little too structured for you to 276 00:14:14,289 --> 00:14:16,489 Speaker 1: use in an interview. And for others, I think it 277 00:14:16,489 --> 00:14:21,409 Speaker 1: could be really useful. So, star, spelled wrong, folks, spelled 278 00:14:21,409 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: with two R's, is how we're gonna think about this. 279 00:14:23,650 --> 00:14:25,650 Speaker 1: So the S is for situation. 280 00:14:26,140 --> 00:14:28,590 Speaker 1: So if Helen has asked me about a time that 281 00:14:28,590 --> 00:14:31,429 Speaker 1: I've demonstrated leadership, first I set the scene, I give 282 00:14:31,429 --> 00:14:33,909 Speaker 1: her some context, and I explain to her what the 283 00:14:33,909 --> 00:14:35,590 Speaker 1: challenge is that I have to overcome. 284 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:39,719 Speaker 1: T is for task, then I lay out what was 285 00:14:39,719 --> 00:14:42,270 Speaker 1: expected of me in that situation. So I'm trying to 286 00:14:42,270 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 1: tell Helen about a time I've demonstrated leadership. I have 287 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:48,250 Speaker 1: to start with what my responsibility was in this context. 288 00:14:48,559 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: A is for action, so next I'm telling Helen about, like, 289 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,789 Speaker 1: what I did. I'm saying, this is what I did 290 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:58,469 Speaker 1: to overcome the challenge, and if it was a team effort, 291 00:14:58,799 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 1: you can acknowledge that it was a team effort, but 292 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,679 Speaker 1: make sure you highlight why your role was really important. 293 00:15:04,340 --> 00:15:08,090 Speaker 1: And then the R's are for result. So, you then 294 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:11,409 Speaker 1: need to say, what happened after the action? Like, what 295 00:15:11,409 --> 00:15:14,359 Speaker 1: was the eventual outcome? And if you can measure that, 296 00:15:14,530 --> 00:15:18,140 Speaker 1: if you can give some concrete numbers, if you can say, Well, 297 00:15:18,289 --> 00:15:22,159 Speaker 1: after that, Helen, after my extraordinary leadership, uh, sales increased 298 00:15:22,159 --> 00:15:25,859 Speaker 1: by 20%, or we were able to, uh, agree. 299 00:15:26,026 --> 00:15:29,585 Speaker 1: On a new procedure that meant that, uh, moving forward, 300 00:15:29,705 --> 00:15:33,945 Speaker 1: we improved our efficiencies, uh, cutting down staff time on 301 00:15:33,945 --> 00:15:37,385 Speaker 1: that particular task. So if you can quantify it, that 302 00:15:37,385 --> 00:15:40,346 Speaker 1: can be really useful. And then our second R, remember 303 00:15:40,346 --> 00:15:43,786 Speaker 1: we're spelling star wrong, uh, is reflection, which means that 304 00:15:43,786 --> 00:15:46,945 Speaker 1: you take a moment to reflect on what you learned 305 00:15:46,945 --> 00:15:47,346 Speaker 1: from that. 306 00:15:47,512 --> 00:15:51,161 Speaker 1: Scenario. So, I'm telling Helen, my interviewer, about a time 307 00:15:51,161 --> 00:15:53,971 Speaker 1: when I had to use outstanding leadership skills. At the end, 308 00:15:54,041 --> 00:15:57,081 Speaker 1: I might say, and what I learned from that is 309 00:15:57,081 --> 00:16:00,041 Speaker 1: that being a great leader also required me to show 310 00:16:00,041 --> 00:16:02,122 Speaker 1: some humility in that moment, that I had to give 311 00:16:02,122 --> 00:16:04,192 Speaker 1: a little to get a little, or whatever it might be. 312 00:16:04,401 --> 00:16:06,441 Speaker 1: So show that you're someone who's able to learn from 313 00:16:06,442 --> 00:16:08,861 Speaker 1: your experience, not just do things and move on. 314 00:16:09,979 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 2: OK, so the star method is situation, task, action, result, reflection. Perfect. 315 00:16:16,559 --> 00:16:19,679 Speaker 2: Good spelling, and can I know that's really bothering you. 316 00:16:20,599 --> 00:16:23,119 Speaker 2: Is there any situation that doesn't apply to, or does 317 00:16:23,119 --> 00:16:26,559 Speaker 2: that pretty much apply to most questions within you know, 318 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:27,159 Speaker 2: within a, 319 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:28,539 Speaker 2: Like it almost does, 320 00:16:28,619 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: right? Yeah, I feel like, uh, I feel like in 321 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:35,369 Speaker 1: a job interview, it's really easy to talk in big 322 00:16:35,820 --> 00:16:40,210 Speaker 1: grand sentences that are summaries that don't speak to specifics. 323 00:16:40,340 --> 00:16:43,210 Speaker 1: It's really easy to say, I'm an incredibly hard worker, 324 00:16:43,260 --> 00:16:46,619 Speaker 1: or I'm someone who gets results, or I'm someone who 325 00:16:46,619 --> 00:16:49,650 Speaker 1: works collaboratively and brings people with me. I mean, sure, great. 326 00:16:49,820 --> 00:16:52,260 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna remember any of those things, personally, if 327 00:16:52,260 --> 00:16:55,099 Speaker 1: I am interviewing you, but if you can tell me 328 00:16:55,099 --> 00:16:56,619 Speaker 1: about a situation. 329 00:16:56,710 --> 00:16:58,940 Speaker 1: That you were placed in. If you can tell me 330 00:16:58,940 --> 00:17:01,020 Speaker 1: about what was expected of you, your task, if you 331 00:17:01,020 --> 00:17:02,460 Speaker 1: can tell me what you did, and you can tell 332 00:17:02,460 --> 00:17:04,810 Speaker 1: me what the results were and that you learned from it, 333 00:17:04,949 --> 00:17:08,300 Speaker 1: I'm gonna remember that story. And, uh, Helen and I 334 00:17:08,300 --> 00:17:10,859 Speaker 1: work in the media, which means that we know that 335 00:17:10,859 --> 00:17:14,569 Speaker 1: stories are what counts. People remember storytelling in a way 336 00:17:14,569 --> 00:17:17,859 Speaker 1: that they don't remember data, and they don't remember topline 337 00:17:17,859 --> 00:17:20,979 Speaker 1: words and they don't remember big adjectives. They remember the 338 00:17:20,979 --> 00:17:22,699 Speaker 1: story you told them, and you've got to bring that 339 00:17:22,699 --> 00:17:23,569 Speaker 1: to a job interview. 340 00:17:23,780 --> 00:17:25,698 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I 100% agree. And again, 341 00:17:26,510 --> 00:17:27,689 Speaker 2: Drawing on some of the 342 00:17:28,489 --> 00:17:32,629 Speaker 2: Experiences we've had with training mid-career professional women, they do 343 00:17:32,629 --> 00:17:35,568 Speaker 2: just fall back to those words, and those words are 344 00:17:35,568 --> 00:17:38,728 Speaker 2: the words that you're gonna hear that the interview or 345 00:17:38,729 --> 00:17:41,369 Speaker 2: the company's gonna hear 1000 times. So how do you 346 00:17:41,369 --> 00:17:45,048 Speaker 2: bring to life collaboration and empathy and teamwork? 347 00:17:45,150 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 2: You gotta find a way to do that. So, 348 00:17:47,130 --> 00:17:50,050 Speaker 1: Helen, you mentioned that if you've taken a career break, 349 00:17:50,140 --> 00:17:52,459 Speaker 1: you can use examples from jobs you've done in the past, 350 00:17:52,540 --> 00:17:56,219 Speaker 1: or you can use examples of your actual life and 351 00:17:56,219 --> 00:17:59,139 Speaker 1: things where you've, uh, had a challenge at home, or 352 00:17:59,140 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: you've had a challenge in a community role, and you've 353 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,139 Speaker 1: had to overcome them. I think with those examples, and 354 00:18:04,140 --> 00:18:06,780 Speaker 1: when you're thinking about what those examples might be, also 355 00:18:06,780 --> 00:18:10,900 Speaker 1: remember that you can use examples in multiple contexts. So, 356 00:18:11,449 --> 00:18:14,619 Speaker 1: If you had a delayed work project, for example, that's 357 00:18:14,619 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 1: an example of good management or, uh, innovation, because there 358 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:20,958 Speaker 1: was a delay and you had to figure out how 359 00:18:20,959 --> 00:18:22,800 Speaker 1: to overcome it and what you could do in the meantime. 360 00:18:23,069 --> 00:18:26,630 Speaker 1: Or it could be an example of prioritising or dealing 361 00:18:26,630 --> 00:18:29,349 Speaker 1: with setbacks. So, when we are coming. 362 00:18:29,410 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 1: Up with our examples, it's not like we have to 363 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 1: come up with a concrete example for every possible situation 364 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:36,669 Speaker 1: that we might get asked about in a job interview. 365 00:18:36,959 --> 00:18:40,160 Speaker 1: If you've got 4 or 5 great examples of a 366 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:44,069 Speaker 1: time when you were instrumental in your workplace at achieving something, 367 00:18:44,239 --> 00:18:47,000 Speaker 1: you'll be able to pull different threads or strands out 368 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:47,629 Speaker 1: of it. 369 00:18:48,199 --> 00:18:51,229 Speaker 2: Jen, what if you just don't have those examples? 370 00:18:51,829 --> 00:18:55,469 Speaker 1: If they're not coming readily to mind, I totally understand that. 371 00:18:55,510 --> 00:18:57,790 Speaker 1: If you are someone who, this job interview is a 372 00:18:57,790 --> 00:19:00,469 Speaker 1: fair way away, if you're just doing some early research 373 00:19:00,469 --> 00:19:02,659 Speaker 1: about what a process of looking for a new job 374 00:19:02,660 --> 00:19:05,270 Speaker 1: is like, start recording them. 375 00:19:05,719 --> 00:19:08,530 Speaker 1: And this is something I say to all my teams, 376 00:19:08,670 --> 00:19:11,380 Speaker 1: and it's something I have written and spoken about before. 377 00:19:11,630 --> 00:19:13,910 Speaker 1: Even when you are not job hunting, when your boss 378 00:19:13,910 --> 00:19:16,109 Speaker 1: gives you a piece of feedback or you get a 379 00:19:16,109 --> 00:19:19,379 Speaker 1: particularly lovely email, or someone says, Wow, that was amazing 380 00:19:19,380 --> 00:19:22,900 Speaker 1: how you did blah, write it down, because you will forget, 381 00:19:23,109 --> 00:19:25,550 Speaker 1: you will forget the day to day. Um, send yourself 382 00:19:25,550 --> 00:19:27,589 Speaker 1: an email, file it away in a folder so you've 383 00:19:27,589 --> 00:19:28,829 Speaker 1: got somewhere to come back to. 384 00:19:29,729 --> 00:19:31,369 Speaker 1: If the interview is tomorrow, and you have no time 385 00:19:31,369 --> 00:19:33,930 Speaker 1: to do all of those things, I think your friends 386 00:19:33,930 --> 00:19:37,319 Speaker 1: and family and previous colleagues are a really good source. 387 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,010 Speaker 1: Particularly previous colleagues, because they know what you were like 388 00:19:40,010 --> 00:19:43,198 Speaker 1: at work, and if you worked together 5, 10 years ago, 389 00:19:43,410 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: they will have one or two clear memories of you, 390 00:19:46,369 --> 00:19:48,959 Speaker 1: and they will remember how you did that big thing, 391 00:19:49,130 --> 00:19:53,050 Speaker 1: and you can probably pull examples out of that. And 392 00:19:53,050 --> 00:19:57,079 Speaker 1: then finally, if you're getting completely, completely stuck, 393 00:19:57,619 --> 00:20:00,339 Speaker 1: I think you've just gotta reflect back on your working career. 394 00:20:01,050 --> 00:20:03,959 Speaker 1: And remember times of conflict. And I know that sounds 395 00:20:03,959 --> 00:20:06,589 Speaker 1: really strange because the question might not be about conflict, 396 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:09,319 Speaker 1: but most good things that you do in the workplace 397 00:20:09,319 --> 00:20:12,839 Speaker 1: are about resolving conflict. Whether that's conflict with a boss, 398 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:16,389 Speaker 1: conflict with a colleague, conflict with someone who worked for you, 399 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 1: conflict with a potential supplier, or just a conflict of 400 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,728 Speaker 1: values that meant it was difficult to work through something, 401 00:20:22,739 --> 00:20:25,390 Speaker 1: or a conflict with a computer system, for goodness' sake. 402 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 1: Think about moments in your life when there's been conflict 403 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: at work and you'll usually be able to pull something together. 404 00:20:31,500 --> 00:20:37,810 Speaker 2: Yes. And we also advise going to your colleagues and 405 00:20:38,140 --> 00:20:40,389 Speaker 2: anyone in your life, and just ask them questions about, 406 00:20:40,660 --> 00:20:42,699 Speaker 2: you know, how would you describe me? What sort of 407 00:20:42,699 --> 00:20:44,300 Speaker 2: colleague am I? What am I good at? So you 408 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:47,819 Speaker 2: just get some words. You just need the words, and 409 00:20:47,819 --> 00:20:51,260 Speaker 2: then it will hopefully click into place, and you'll then 410 00:20:51,260 --> 00:20:53,429 Speaker 2: know how to answer what 411 00:20:54,290 --> 00:20:55,969 Speaker 2: On the face of it are quite simple questions but 412 00:20:55,969 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 2: can be quite complex to answer. 413 00:20:58,250 --> 00:20:59,369 Speaker 1: One of the things that. 414 00:21:00,010 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: It is difficult, is that as human beings, we have 415 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:05,479 Speaker 1: such strong negativity bias, right? You will remember that piece 416 00:21:05,479 --> 00:21:08,319 Speaker 1: of criticism you got from your friend, your partner, your boss, 417 00:21:08,439 --> 00:21:11,199 Speaker 1: your colleague forever. I can tell you all the things 418 00:21:11,199 --> 00:21:13,839 Speaker 1: my husband thinks are bad about me, but it's hard 419 00:21:13,839 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 1: to remember the good things sometimes. And that requires that 420 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:20,079 Speaker 1: you ask people, and they will help you. The people 421 00:21:20,079 --> 00:21:21,718 Speaker 1: around you will be able to speak to your strengths 422 00:21:21,719 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 1: better than anyone else. 423 00:21:23,530 --> 00:21:26,889 Speaker 1: Helen, I wanted to also touch on practising. Talk to 424 00:21:26,890 --> 00:21:29,119 Speaker 1: me about how you would practise for a job interview 425 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:30,930 Speaker 1: and whether or not you can tell if someone has 426 00:21:30,930 --> 00:21:32,930 Speaker 1: practised when you are interviewing them. 427 00:21:34,199 --> 00:21:38,569 Speaker 2: Yes, you can tell, and I personally take that as 428 00:21:38,569 --> 00:21:41,448 Speaker 2: a sign that the person really wants the job, so 429 00:21:41,449 --> 00:21:43,609 Speaker 2: I take that as a positive, so I think it's 430 00:21:43,609 --> 00:21:47,489 Speaker 2: OK to practise. I think depending on your level of confidence, 431 00:21:47,589 --> 00:21:48,949 Speaker 2: practising just in front of the mirror. 432 00:21:49,699 --> 00:21:51,899 Speaker 2: Just wandering around the house, going for a walk in 433 00:21:51,900 --> 00:21:54,689 Speaker 2: the morning, just going over the lines in your head, 434 00:21:55,099 --> 00:21:58,448 Speaker 2: great idea. If you're more of a show person, um, 435 00:21:58,540 --> 00:22:01,219 Speaker 2: absolutely call them the kids, the next door neighbour. 436 00:22:01,670 --> 00:22:05,728 Speaker 2: Uh, and get them to throw random questions at you 437 00:22:06,030 --> 00:22:08,630 Speaker 2: and have a laugh and enjoy the process. I 438 00:22:08,630 --> 00:22:11,430 Speaker 1: had a friend once who told me that she is 439 00:22:11,430 --> 00:22:13,659 Speaker 1: someone who does need an audience. She needs the opportunity 440 00:22:13,660 --> 00:22:15,510 Speaker 1: to look people in the eye. She was going for 441 00:22:15,510 --> 00:22:18,149 Speaker 1: a senior role in the public service in one of 442 00:22:18,150 --> 00:22:20,349 Speaker 1: the state governments, and there was no one around her 443 00:22:20,349 --> 00:22:21,619 Speaker 1: house the day before. 444 00:22:21,969 --> 00:22:23,969 Speaker 1: And so she lined up one of her kids' soft toys, 445 00:22:24,060 --> 00:22:26,540 Speaker 1: and she spoke to them very sincerely about why she 446 00:22:26,540 --> 00:22:27,780 Speaker 1: deserved that job. I thought it 447 00:22:27,780 --> 00:22:29,979 Speaker 2: was gonna be the dog who probably started barking at 448 00:22:29,979 --> 00:22:32,379 Speaker 2: the end. Uh, it doesn't matter. Yeah, you just, it's, 449 00:22:32,420 --> 00:22:36,540 Speaker 2: it's about hearing your own voice. And when I'm doing 450 00:22:36,540 --> 00:22:39,849 Speaker 2: media training, and this is probably worth considering, record yourself, 451 00:22:40,140 --> 00:22:41,819 Speaker 2: hear your answer and play it back to yourself. 452 00:22:42,250 --> 00:22:44,770 Speaker 2: Because you'll you'll know whether you sound authentic and whether 453 00:22:44,770 --> 00:22:48,689 Speaker 2: it sounds plausible, and if you want to change the 454 00:22:48,689 --> 00:22:52,650 Speaker 2: word from collaborative and empathetic, I'm really hard on collaborative 455 00:22:52,650 --> 00:22:55,920 Speaker 2: and empathetic, um, to something like, you know, more dynamic 456 00:22:56,130 --> 00:22:59,010 Speaker 2: and exciting, then do it. And that's a good way 457 00:22:59,010 --> 00:23:02,079 Speaker 2: of telling if you're hitting the mark. It's just record yourself. 458 00:23:02,890 --> 00:23:06,329 Speaker 1: Also think it's worth saying, it is OK to make mistakes. 459 00:23:06,349 --> 00:23:08,810 Speaker 1: And in fact, it is inevitable to make mistakes. I 460 00:23:08,810 --> 00:23:10,609 Speaker 1: have never met anyone who's walked out of a job 461 00:23:10,609 --> 00:23:11,209 Speaker 1: interview and said, 462 00:23:11,479 --> 00:23:13,968 Speaker 1: That went exactly as I planned. I said all the 463 00:23:13,969 --> 00:23:16,469 Speaker 1: things I wished to say. Uh, you are always gonna 464 00:23:16,469 --> 00:23:18,310 Speaker 1: walk out of the room and think, Oh, why didn't 465 00:23:18,310 --> 00:23:20,420 Speaker 1: I say that? Or, Why didn't I do this? Or, 466 00:23:20,430 --> 00:23:23,060 Speaker 1: I hate that I sounded like this, or I said that. Um, 467 00:23:23,189 --> 00:23:25,550 Speaker 1: there are some things that you can do to avoid 468 00:23:25,550 --> 00:23:28,780 Speaker 1: making too many mistakes, uh, but at the same time, 469 00:23:28,989 --> 00:23:30,869 Speaker 1: don't be too hard on yourself if you do. So 470 00:23:30,869 --> 00:23:33,069 Speaker 1: if you do stumble, if you're in the room and you, 471 00:23:33,140 --> 00:23:34,469 Speaker 1: and you lose your flow, 472 00:23:35,510 --> 00:23:37,709 Speaker 1: Stay calm is message number one. 473 00:23:38,780 --> 00:23:42,919 Speaker 1: apologise and say, I'm sorry, let me say that again. Uh, 474 00:23:43,099 --> 00:23:45,780 Speaker 1: and I think we all have been in that situation, right? 475 00:23:45,900 --> 00:23:48,739 Speaker 1: So people will empathise with you needing to do that. 476 00:23:48,939 --> 00:23:51,179 Speaker 1: There's nothing wrong with coming back to a question at 477 00:23:51,180 --> 00:23:53,329 Speaker 1: the end if you need time to digest as well. 478 00:23:53,500 --> 00:23:55,930 Speaker 1: And that's something you can do, uh, when they ask 479 00:23:55,930 --> 00:23:57,609 Speaker 1: at the end, Do you have any questions for us? 480 00:23:57,750 --> 00:23:59,660 Speaker 1: You were allowed to say, I don't have a question, 481 00:23:59,699 --> 00:24:01,579 Speaker 1: but would you mind if I added to my answer 482 00:24:01,579 --> 00:24:04,099 Speaker 1: from earlier? There was something important that I didn't say 483 00:24:04,099 --> 00:24:06,260 Speaker 1: at the time. If anything, it just shows that you 484 00:24:06,260 --> 00:24:07,060 Speaker 1: were paying attention. 485 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:10,310 Speaker 2: Uh, great, and um take a prop, you know, take a, 486 00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 2: take a glass of water. 487 00:24:11,979 --> 00:24:12,900 Speaker 2: Um, I was 488 00:24:12,900 --> 00:24:15,780 Speaker 1: like, I was like, what prop? What am I bringing? Well, 489 00:24:16,130 --> 00:24:17,819 Speaker 1: take a glass of water is a great idea. I 490 00:24:17,819 --> 00:24:19,459 Speaker 1: thought you meant like, I don't know, like a banana, 491 00:24:19,619 --> 00:24:24,698 Speaker 1: and my career is like a, I always makes a 492 00:24:24,699 --> 00:24:26,849 Speaker 1: lot of sense to steady hands correct 493 00:24:26,849 --> 00:24:30,780 Speaker 2: and um just to and to collect your thoughts, right, oh, 494 00:24:30,979 --> 00:24:32,890 Speaker 2: excuse me, I just take a glass, you know, or 495 00:24:32,890 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 2: a pen. I need a pen. So, you know, if you, 496 00:24:35,849 --> 00:24:37,819 Speaker 2: you think you've missed the answer. 497 00:24:38,180 --> 00:24:40,829 Speaker 2: And you're listening to the next question, just quickly jot 498 00:24:40,829 --> 00:24:44,149 Speaker 2: down the word that you wanted to use, so that 499 00:24:44,150 --> 00:24:46,430 Speaker 2: you can come, come back to it. Yeah. And then 500 00:24:46,430 --> 00:24:48,209 Speaker 2: when you've got that, any questions at the end, or 501 00:24:48,209 --> 00:24:50,189 Speaker 2: and or would you like to say something, you know, 502 00:24:50,459 --> 00:24:52,939 Speaker 2: before we conclude, you go, actually, I wanted to say 503 00:24:53,469 --> 00:24:55,619 Speaker 1: blah and blah. Yeah, I think that's smart. And also, 504 00:24:55,709 --> 00:24:58,449 Speaker 1: if you're someone who fiddles with your hair, or your glasses, 505 00:24:58,469 --> 00:25:01,270 Speaker 1: or your face or your clothes when you're speaking, really 506 00:25:01,270 --> 00:25:03,619 Speaker 1: helpful to have something to hold onto that's not one 507 00:25:03,619 --> 00:25:04,670 Speaker 1: of those things. 508 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:07,419 Speaker 1: Also want to give you the message that you wanna 509 00:25:07,420 --> 00:25:11,379 Speaker 1: feel comfortable and you wanna feel like yourself. It's OK 510 00:25:11,380 --> 00:25:14,819 Speaker 1: to show personality. In fact, it's really important to show personality. 511 00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:17,459 Speaker 1: If you come in and you're just sort of zombie 512 00:25:17,459 --> 00:25:20,180 Speaker 1: person who's being exactly what you're supposed to be and 513 00:25:20,180 --> 00:25:21,438 Speaker 1: you're more like a Stepford wife then. 514 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:24,510 Speaker 1: A potential employee, that doesn't help anyone. You want to 515 00:25:24,510 --> 00:25:28,069 Speaker 1: hire a human being, not a persona. So don't try 516 00:25:28,069 --> 00:25:30,079 Speaker 1: to be someone that you're not. Sure, show off your 517 00:25:30,079 --> 00:25:32,550 Speaker 1: skills in the best possible light, present yourself in the 518 00:25:32,550 --> 00:25:34,989 Speaker 1: best possible way, but it's you on a great day. 519 00:25:35,150 --> 00:25:37,869 Speaker 1: It's not trying to be somebody else. Bravo. 520 00:25:40,849 --> 00:25:45,010 Speaker 1: Shortlisted is produced by Future Women's Jobs Academy. To apply 521 00:25:45,010 --> 00:25:50,929 Speaker 1: to join, head to jobsacademy.uwomen.com or go to Futurewomen.com to 522 00:25:50,930 --> 00:25:52,839 Speaker 1: become a future women member today.