Are Your Interview Examples Outshining You?

Picture this: You're in a job interview for a role that really excites you. The interviewer asks, "Can you tell me about a time you solved a complex problem?" You launch into a riveting tale about the Great Server Crash of 2022, complete with technical jargon and a plot twist worthy of a Silicon Valley thriller.

Ten minutes later, you finish with a flourish, feeling pretty good about yourself. The interviewer looks impressed... by the story. But wait, where were you in all of this?

All too often interviewees fall into the trap of "Example Overshadowing," where your anecdotes become the star of the show, and you're relegated to a supporting role in your own interview.

The Example Trap: When Your Stories Upstage You

It's a common mistake many of us make. We get so caught up in painting a vivid picture of the situation that we forget the most important part: ourselves! Here's why this happens:

1. The Comfort of Context: It's easier to describe a situation than to brag about ourselves. We feel safer hiding behind the details of the project or problem.
2. The Excitement of Storytelling: Let's face it, some of those work challenges were pretty epic. It's tempting to get carried away with the narrative.
3. The Fear of "I": We've been conditioned to be team players, so using "I" too much feels uncomfortable. But remember, this isn't a team interview!
4. The Easy Story: We know the story of the project better than we know the story of the value we added to the project so we tell the easy story.

From Supporting Actor to Leading Role: Reclaiming Your Spotlight

So how do you shift the focus back to you without sounding like you're auditioning for a one-person show? Here are some tips:

1. The 70-30 Rule: Aim for 70% you, 30% context. Your exciting project can have a cameo, but you're the main character.
2. Verb It Up: Use action verbs that put you at the center. "I spearheaded," "I negotiated," "I innovated" – make yourself the doer, not just a participant.
3. The "So What?" Test: For every detail you share about the example, ask yourself, "So what did I do about it?" If you can't answer that, skip it.
4. Quantify Your Impact: Numbers are your friends. They shift the focus from what happened to what you achieved.
5. The Spotlight Redirect: If you catch yourself going off on a tangent about the project, quickly bring it back to your role. "While the project was complex, my key contribution was..."

Example Makeover: Before and After

Before: "We conducted a public consultation on a new fee visitors would pay on entry to the park. It involved multiple stakeholders, town hall meetings, and online surveys. The process lasted four months and provided valuable input for the final decision."

After: "I led a public consultation on a proposed new visitor entry fee, designing a strategy that increased participation by 50%. I facilitated key meetings and implemented a new analysis method, delivering actionable insights. I was proud when my Director praised my work, noting that I remained calm and solution focused in the face of significant public interest, and that I effectively balanced community needs against a clear revenue shortfall."

See the difference? The second version puts you front and center, showcasing your skills and impact.

Conclusion: Be the Hero of Your Own Story

Remember, in an interview, you're not narrating a documentary about your workplace – you're pitching yourself as the protagonist in the story of your career. So go ahead, step into the spotlight! Your examples are there to support your performance, not steal the show.

Next time you have an interview on the horizon I recommend you practice telling the stories you think will be the best ones to focus on.  Record your practice and notice when the spotlight shifts away from you. Listen for when you start to ramble about the intricacies of a project. Make sure you give details of what you actually did rather than what everyone else did. Ruthlessly eliminate the word "we".  Your future self (and possibly your future employer) will thank you for it.

Now go forth and be the star you were meant to be.