From the course: Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions

How to approach this question

From the course: Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions

How to approach this question

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- We're often taught from a very early age to be humble, to not be self-congratulatory or over-toot our horns. So a question that requires you to toot your horn, that can be downright painful. Interviewers know this, so sometimes they'll ask, "what would your coworkers say about you?" through the lens of someone else. Because for sure, you're going to share the glowing stuff, right? And this usually feels a lot easier for people. So how do you prepare for this question and how do you answer it? Here are three quick tips. First, review the job description and any notes that you have about the role. The interviewer isn't looking to hear about your mad skills on the office kickball team. She's trying to gauge fit. Try and find your answer in the context of that job description. So if they need a strong problem solver for instance, maybe you share that your office nickname is Mr. Fix-It, because you're so good at solving those it's impossible kinds of challenges. Next, review your LinkedIn recommendations and performance reviews before the interview. Your best answer might be right under your nose. Scan through those reviews and any recommendations you've received, and see if there are some gold nuggets that you might share. And if it's on LinkedIn, mention it to the interviewers so they can read the whole recommendation if they want more detail. And finally, back up your statement with evidence. If you think your colleagues would say that you're super creative, resist the urge to say, people like that I can think outside of the box. Instead, share a tangible example of your creativity, that again, ties to the job description. This question provides you with a terrific opportunity to share how amazing you are, without feeling like you're showboating. I say go for it. I say go for it.

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