Wanting to know our number one interview tip? It’s all about brain filing!!

So you’ve scored an interview for your dream role… How do you prepare? The majority of candidates will know that it is important to research the company you’ll be interviewing with. Almost everyone will have chosen the perfect outfit, etc. But I recommend an extra very beneficial step…In fact, it’s our number one interview tip that will make you stand out from your competition!

DO YOUR BRAIN FILING!!!

What is brain filing?

Brain filing is sorting through your brain to think of examples that may be relevant to the role that you are interviewing for. E.g. For a customer service role, having a selection of examples of how you; dealt with a difficult customer, exceeded a customers expectations, failed to meet a customers needs and what you’d do differently…

Why is brain filing important?

Often we have all the relevant examples swishing around in our brain that could be the key to showing our potential employer how we will be the best candidate for the role. However, when we are asked to give examples in interviews we stumble through our brain trying to find the right examples, and then miss out key points of information when re-telling that example.

Interviews are tough at the best of times. But having to think of examples on the spot is always going to add to the nerves!

How do I practice brain filing?

It’s not enough to just think about these examples. I encourage all of my candidates to practice saying these examples out loud. Often what happens when you first try to do this is that it comes out all jumbled! You end up “umm-ing and aaah-ing” between the middle and end of the story, adding in pieces of information out of chronological order etc.

No one wants to splutter and stumble though an interview! By verbally practicing your examples out loud, you’ll have them ready to call upon at a moments notice in an interview situation. You’ll also be articulate and know how to tell a good story/example.

While it is impossible to prepare for every single example, by sitting and taking the time to reflect upon your previous roles in detail you are much more likely to be able to recall on a range examples when required to.

And let’s face it, anything that will help prevent an awkward silence when the interviewer asks that dreaded question “give me an example of when you…” is worth it! So before your next interview I encourage you to add brain filing to your preparation list.

Wondering how best to explain your examples, or answer behavioral based questions??? See my previous blog post “How to answer behavioral based questions like a ninja in heels”. Alternatively, get in touch with a member of the team via Sprint@sprintpeople.com.au