PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This information will be very useful when developing your own questions to ask the hiring committee at the conclusion of your interview .
Next , consider why you are interested in the position and how you are uniquely qualified for the job . Carefully read through the job description , write down all of the reasons you are interested in the position , and how you meet or exceed each of the qualifications ( required and preferred ) outlined in the job posting . You will likely be asked why you are interested in this opportunity , so you need to have compelling reasons that relate directly to the position and facility . The hiring committee does not care that the location is convenient for you or that you are simply looking for a new opportunity . They want to know why you want this position at their organization and why you are the best candidate , so be prepared to discuss why you are qualified .
STEP 2 : PREPARE STORIES THAT PROVE YOUR VALUE Throughout the interview , you want to provide evidence of your strengths , skills and qualifications . The most effective way to do this is by telling stories that demonstrate positive results of your actions . The more your stories are directly related to the job and organization , the better . Utilize the information you gathered during your research , as well as information from the job description to help you tailor your examples . Telling stories will also keep your answers more organized and to the point so you avoid rambling . As a general rule , you do not want any of your answers to exceed two minutes .
Consider the following to help you generate your own stories :
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? What impact have you made on the facilities where you have worked ?
When have you overcome a challenge , obstacle or difficult situation ?
What accomplishments best demonstrate your strengths most closely related to the position for which you are interviewing ?
Write or type out these examples ( and others ) and practice delivering them . Think of these examples as stories that have a beginning , middle and end , and utilize the acronym STAR to help you organize your responses . STAR stands for Situation , Task , Action and Result . For each story you describe , share the situation you were in , the task ( s ) you were assigned , the action ( s ) you took to complete the tasks , and the result ( s ) of those actions . Read through these stories as you prepare for your interview so they are fresh in your mind when you are faced with behavioral interview questions .
STEP 3 : PRACTICE RESPONSES TO COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS In addition to behavioral interview questions that directly ask you to provide a specific story or example , some interview questions are more open ended . Whether asked directly or not , aim to share a story in each answer whenever possible to further strengthen your response . Although it is difficult to predict what questions you will be asked during an interview , there are certain interview questions that you will want to be ready to answer . For example :
Tell me about yourself .
This often is the first question asked in an interview , and it can set the tone for the rest of the conversation . You want to stick with professional content related to any relevant education or special training , and highlight related work history , key strengths relevant to the position , and why you are interested in this new opportunity .
Why are you interested in this position ?
This is where you really need to express your passion and excitement for the position and the organization . Wanting a new opportunity or desiring to move up within the industry is not enough . Be able to thoughtfully express specific reasons why you want this job at this organization . If you cannot do this , the position may not be the best fit for you .
What is your greatest strength ?
This is an excellent opportunity for you to highlight your unique qualifications and skills . Focus on the strengths that are most relevant to the role for which you are interviewing . Also , anyone can state a strength , but you want to prove it ! For example , when describing your greatest strength , state your strength , and then provide a story that demonstrates an accomplishment you achieved using that strength .
What is your biggest weakness ?
The weakness question can be tricky , but it is inevitable . Of course , you want to be honest ; everyone has weaknesses . Think of a weakness that is not directly related to the duties you would be performing in the new position and that you can provide tangible information on what you are doing to overcome the weakness and turn it into a strength . You could also consider a technical sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2021 | SportsField Management
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