Interview Hack: #1 Secret To Answering Hard Interview Questions

Popular Interview Hack: #1 Secret To Answering Hard Interview Questions Ariella Coombs Jenna Arcand March 17, 2022 {"adCodes": [{"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664203608/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 0, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}, {"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664203608/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 1, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}, {"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664203608/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 2, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}], "adsOrder": [2]}

When you're in the hot seat at a job interview, thinking of the best answers can be challenging. In this post, we'll share our #1 secret for answering hard interview questions. Think of it as an interview hack...

Document Everything!

It's important to bring up relevant and clear examples that prove you're a fit for that job. But if you struggle to remember specific examples during interviews, you should create a running document of accomplishments. This document will help you prepare for interviews more effectively because all of those examples will be fresh in your mind. Basically, it allows you to review your accomplishments before you go into an interview rather than sitting there trying to think of relevant examples to showcase.

So, what kinds of things should you be putting on this document? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Relevant Quantifiable Accomplishments

Quantifiable accomplishments tie your professional accomplishments to numbers. Remember: numbers = results = value. During the hiring process, your job is to prove that you'll be a value-add to that company. Quantifiable accomplishments allow you to showcase your value. So, think of all of your previous professional accomplishments and write them down.

2. Challenges You've Overcome

Think about all of the challenges you've overcome in your career in order to snag that promotion, work with that difficult co-worker, or get that client. Employers want to know these kinds of stories. They want to know you can adapt to situations and overcome difficulties. So, think about all of those challenges you've been up against and how you were able to push through successfully. Tip: use the Experience + Learn = Grow model, especially while answering behavioral interview questions.

3. Stories That Reinforce Your Enthusiasm For The Industry/Company

What is it that makes you so enthusiastic about your work? What's the root of your motivation for working in this particular field, doing this particular job, for this particular company? Write these things down. Employers want to know that you're passionate about what you do. They want to know you're in it for more than just the money.

Don't let your fear of answering hard interview questions stall your job search! Keep a document with all of these items in it. To make this easy, make it a habit to document these things as they happen. Keep everything in the document, pull relevant examples, and review before you head into an interview.

Need More Help Answering Difficult Interview Questions?

We hope you found this hack to be helpful in answering tough questions in your next interview. If you need more help preparing for a job interview, landing a job, or changing careers, we're here for you. We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

From Your Site Articles

• How To Answer The Question "Describe Yourself In One Word ... ›
• 7 Most Common Interview Questions And Answers - Work It Daily ›
• How To Answer "How Do You Handle A Heavy Workload?" - Work It ... ›
• 4 Tips For Answering Interview Questions - Work It Daily ›

Related Articles Around the Web

• How to Answer Tough Interview Questions (Sample Answers ... ›
• 12 Tough Interview Questions and Answers | Indeed.com ›
• How to Answer 30 Tough Interview Questions ›

job interview {"customDimensions": {"1":"Ariella Coombs, Jenna Arcand","2":"popular","3":"job interview, interview, job interview hacks, interview hacks, job interview tips, interview tips, answering interview questions, hard interview questions, job interview advice, job interview prep, interviewing, interview prep, job search, job seekers, professionals, career advice, career tips, career, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29551207, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29551195, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29551223","4":"03/17/2022"}, "post": {"split_testing": {}, "providerId": 14, "sections": [0, 370480899, 543270555, 376489574, 473333499, 404327439, 479660731], "buckets": [], "authors": [19548592, 19836096]} } Get Some LeverageSign up for The Work It Daily NewsletterEnter emailSubscribeFollow window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/22278042776,22664312254/wit/wit_multiplex', ['fluid'], 'wit_multiplex').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('wit_multiplex'); }); Job Search Over 50? This Resume Mistake Will Cost You... J.T. O'Donnell March 21, 2022 {"adCodes": [{"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664203608/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 0, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}, {"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664203608/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 1, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}, {"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664203608/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 2, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}], "adsOrder": [2]}

So, you're over 50. You had your resume and LinkedIn profile professionally done. You're applying to tons of jobs and recruiters are saying you're perfectly qualified. And then they're lowballing you by 20%. What are you doing wrong? How do you get back to making the same amount of money you were making at your last job?

This is one of the biggest resume mistakes people over 50 make, and what older professionals should do instead...

Not Branding Yourself As A Specialist @j.t.odonnell Over 50? This resume mistake will cost you! #resume #resumetips #over50 #careeradvice #careertiktok #jobsearch ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

The resume mistake most people over 50 make is hiring a professional resume writer who makes you look like a jack- or jill-of-all-trades (or doing this when writing your resume yourself). The problem with this is that it makes you look overqualified and old school, which could make you more susceptible to age discrimination and hurt your chances of landing a well-paying job.

The solution? Specialize.

In order to appear relevant and valuable to employers, you need to brand yourself as a specialist. Sure, you've probably acquired countless skills over your decades as a professional. But employers are hiring you to solve a specific problem or alleviate a certain pain, so you need to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

The best, most effective way to brand yourself as a specialist in your job search is to create a simplified, targeted resume and LinkedIn profile that showcase your specialty. You also need to build your personal brand to show recruiters and your professional network you're a valuable business-of-one who's worth the money. You're an expert at something. So, pick a skill set to highlight and apply for the jobs that will allow you to leverage that skill set.

Want To Learn How To Brand Yourself As A Specialist?

The truth is, school never taught us how to do this. I know how difficult it is to find a job and make the right career decisions. If you're feeling trapped or lost in your career right now, I'm here for you. I'd love it if you joined my FREE community where professionals like you are learning how to become empowered in their careers so they can finally find career happiness and satisfaction.

Sign up for my FREE community and become a Workplace Renegade today! My team and I are looking forward to working with you soon.

Read more Show less resume {"customDimensions": {"1":"J.T. O'Donnell","2":"job-search","3":"resume, resume mistakes, resume mistake, over 50, job seekers, over 50 job seeker, age discrimination, ageism, over 50 resume, professionals, resume tips, resume advice, resume help, career advice, career, career tips, overqualified, targeted resume, specialize, ~popular_source-pageview, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29570123, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29570174","4":"03/21/2022"}, "post": {"split_testing": {}, "providerId": 0, "sections": [0, 543270555, 376490053, 404327439, 370480899, 473333499, 479660731, 473310813], "buckets": [], "authors": [19549412]} } Featured Over 50? This Resume Mistake Will Cost You... {"customDimensions": {"1":"J.T. O'Donnell","2":"job-search","3":"resume, resume mistakes, resume mistake, over 50, job seekers, over 50 job seeker, age discrimination, ageism, over 50 resume, professionals, resume tips, resume advice, resume help, career advice, career, career tips, overqualified, targeted resume, specialize, ~popular_source-pageview, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29570123, ~rmsc:rebelmouse-image:29570174","4":"03/21/2022"}, "post": {"split_testing": {}, "providerId": 0, "sections": [0, 543270555, 376490053, 404327439, 370480899, 473333499, 479660731, 473310813], "buckets": [], "authors": [19549412]} } Now Hiring: Remote SysOps Engineer {"customDimensions": {"1":"Work It Daily, Kinsta \u00ae","2":"popular","3":"kinsta, hiring, remote jobs, remote work, remote workforce, remote companies hiring, remote companies 2021, sysops engineer, sysops engineer jobs, ~popular_source-pageview","4":"05/18/2021"}, "post": {"split_testing": {}, "providerId": 0, "sections": [370480899, 545998439, 545998440, 376489962, 473333499, 526353713, 545658354, 548352055, 548352058, 543270555, 473310812, 473310813], "buckets": [], "authors": [19548593, 21891195]} } 3 Important Career Lessons Learned On And Off The Field {"customDimensions": {"1":"Executive Community, J.T. O'Donnell","2":"popular","3":"career change, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, career, career challenges, overcoming career challenges, personal branding, personal development, professional development, professional growth, success, career success, pro athletes, tom brady, chris gronkowski, nfl, tiktok, social media strategy, social media, career growth","4":"02/10/2021"}, "post": {"split_testing": {}, "providerId": 0, "sections": [0, 370480899, 479660731, 376489962, 526353713, 376489624, 473333499], "buckets": [], "authors": [21030904, 19549412]} } How Ex-NFL Player, Chris Gronkowski, Is Using Social Media To Change Careers {"customDimensions": {"1":"Executive Community, J.T. O'Donnell","2":"popular","3":"2010, Barstool, camera phone, career growth and development, career growth opportunities, chrisgronkowski, cowboys, dallascowboys, dinner, football, free, gronkspike, iceshaker, investor, nfl, nflfootball, nflplayer, nflplayers, nflworkout, payday, rookie, salary, sharing, sharktank, tic toc, tic tok, tick tock, ticktock, tictok, tik tok, tiktok, tiktok.com, trade, trainingcamp, upload, video, video phone, weighin, youtube.com, ~popular_source-pageview, \u0442\u0438\u043a \u0442\u043e\u043a, \u30c6\u30a3\u30c3\u30af\u30c8\u30c3\u30af, chris gronkowski","4":"01/29/2021"}, "post": {"split_testing": {}, "providerId": 0, "sections": [0, 370480899, 473333499, 526353713, 376489624, 479660731], "buckets": [], "authors": [21030904, 19549412]} }