Showcasing your Talent In An Interview
Showcasing your Talent In an Interview
"First, Break All The Rules" is a book written by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, which presents findings from Gallup's study of over 80,000 managers across different industries. One of the key ideas presented in the book is that it's more important to hire for talent rather than skills, as talent is innate and difficult to teach, while skills can be acquired through training.
Talent vs. Skill: Talent refers to a natural ability or aptitude to do something well, whereas skill is a learned ability or expertise in performing a specific task. For example, in a tech context:
Talent: Problem-solving ability, innovative thinking, adaptability, strong communication, ability to learn quickly
Skill: Proficiency in a specific programming language, knowledge of a particular framework or platform, experience with specific tools or methodologies
There are two primary ways proficient interviewers and interview loops attempt to discover what your talents are:
Behavioral Interviewing:
Ask open-ended questions that prompt the candidate to share past experiences that demonstrate their talents. For tech roles, you might be asked questions like:
"Describe a time when you had to learn a new technology quickly. How did you go about it, and what were the results?"
"Can you share an example of when you faced a challenging technical problem and how you solved it?"
Situational Interviewing
Present hypothetical situations related to the job and ask the candidate how they would handle them. This helps gauge their problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and innovative thinking. For tech roles, consider questions like:
"Imagine you're given a project with tight deadlines and limited resources. How would you prioritize tasks and ensure the project's success?"
"If you were asked to implement a new feature with minimal documentation or guidance, how would you approach the task?"
Typical Benefits of Hiring Talented Candidates for the Company
Talented candidates are more likely to:
Quickly adapt to new technologies and tools
Innovate and come up with creative solutions to problems
Learn from their experiences and grow in their roles
Collaborate effectively with others, fostering a positive work environment
Contribute to the long-term success of the company by displaying a strong work ethic and commitment to the organization's goals
A candidate can showcase their talents distinct from their skills through both their resumé and during the interview.
Resumé
To highlight talents on a resumé, candidates can:
Use a strong summary or objective statement: In this section, emphasize natural abilities or aptitudes, such as problem-solving, adaptability, or innovative thinking. For example, "Quick learner with strong problem-solving abilities and a passion for innovative solutions in software development."
Highlight achievements and accomplishments: Instead of just listing job responsibilities, include specific examples of accomplishments that demonstrate talents. For instance, mention instances where you've quickly adapted to new technologies, developed creative solutions, or collaborated effectively with a team.
Include relevant projects or extracurricular activities: Showcase personal projects, open-source contributions, or participation in hackathons, which can demonstrate talents such as self-motivation, creativity, and ability to learn independently.
Add testimonials or recommendations: Include brief quotes from previous supervisors, coworkers, or clients that highlight your talents, such as strong communication skills, adaptability, or innovative thinking.
During the interview
To showcase talents during an interview, candidates can:
Share stories and examples: Prepare anecdotes that highlight your talents, focusing on situations where you've demonstrated problem-solving abilities, adaptability, or innovative thinking. Be specific about your contributions and their impact.
Emphasize your learning process: Discuss how you've learned new technologies or methodologies, showcasing your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new challenges.
Ask insightful questions: Show your curiosity and innovative thinking by asking thoughtful questions about the company, its products, and the role you're interviewing for. This can demonstrate your genuine interest and capacity to think critically.
Be prepared for behavioral and situational questions: As mentioned earlier, these types of questions help interviewers assess your talents. Practice your responses to such questions and focus on demonstrating your innate abilities and how they have contributed to your success in past experiences.
In summary:
By incorporating these strategies, candidates can effectively showcase their talents on their resumés and during interviews, setting themselves apart from others who may have similar skills but lack the natural aptitudes that make for exceptional employees.