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Using StandOut Results in Job Interview
Wow. After reading the book, StandOut, and completing the online assessment, I used the personalized results to prepare for a job interview. I really wanted this position, but so did many other professionals. I needed to stand out from the crowd. After reviewing the company history and preparing the traditional way for the interview, I decided to read through my StandOut report.
The "You, At Your Most Powerful" and "Phrases to Describe Yourself" and "How To Make An Immediate Impact" sections gave me specific talk points. I used several of the short descriptors as sound bites for the interview.
During the interview I was asked a series of 12 questions. Each time I was able to draw on what I knew about myself from the profile. Several times I noticed the interviewer writing down what I had said.
I was able to speak with confidence in my responses. For example, "I am a teacher and a connector." or "I am fascinated by people's strengths and gifts." These are true about me, but I had never thought about it before I read StandOut.
StandOut helped me put into words what I always knew about myself, but maybe didn't always know how to communicate.
Anyone else using StandOut for job interviews?
Tags: interviewing
Views: 463
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim Seybert - Moderator: on -
James - great story and positive vibes going your way on the result of your interview.
How is it that we go through life not really knowing how to articulate what we know about ourselves? is it because we're taught to not focus internally? Thanks for a great example of clarifying your personal strengths.
And I LOVE that you reviewed your StandOut report shortly before going in to the interview - it's easy to get caught up in the urgency of a situation and fall back on old habits. That last-minute glance was a powerful thing to do.
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Permalink Reply by Craig Trombly - Moderator on -
Jim (or do your prefer James),
I have not used StandOut yet for a job interview, but I definitely will next time I do have one. How true it is that when we say things that resonate with our strengths, we cannot help but say those things in an impactful way that causes others to take notice. They sense our passion, and that what we are saying comes from deep within us. And that's what we want in an interview; to say genuine things that cause interviewers to take note. Can you let us know how the process turns out?
Craig
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Permalink Reply by Doug Mayes on
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James,
Nice work. Best of luck on making the next round. I'm a career coach for MBA students and we regularly advise them to use their report to create "stories" around their strengths. I find that this helps the candidate in two important ways. 1) It differentiates you from others with similar technical qualifications and 2) it helps you answer the two questions employers truly care about..."How can you save us time, and make us money?"
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Permalink Reply by Bryan Hart on -
Very good advice.
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Permalink Reply by Roberta Sawatzky on
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I did James and can totally relate to what you are saying. The assessment summary gave me clarity around how to express what I often found difficult to put to words. The interview feedback was beyond encouraging. I didn't get the job, but as I dig deeper into this new perspective...it was a right decision.
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Permalink Reply by James Patton on -
As one that does the interviewing, I would really sit up and pay attention if an interviewer indicated as you did "I am fascinated by people's strengths and gifts." I would be asking you more questions to learn more information from you.
If I were looking for a job, I would use all of the information that I could from programs like Standout.
Jim
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Permalink Reply by Bryan Hart on
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I am using StandOut for people looking to change their careers, which is another great way to implement the material (coaching). I am a Connecter/Creator/Teacher, so I love seeing someone similar using the assessment to describe themselves well.
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