Interview tip #2: Flipping the Script: Turn ‘What Do You Bring to the Table’ into a Showstopper Moment!
This infamous question can catch even the most prepared candidate off guard. But fear not! Here’s a simple structure to turn this challenge into an opportunity to showcase your unique value:
1. Hook them with relevant experience & impact on the Company
What? Introduce yourself in one punchy line, highlighting your experience and a key challenge tackled.
Structure? Roles played — companies worked (also sector) — challenges addressed (preferably, at company level)
Example: “5 years in marketing, leading data-driven campaigns {ROLE] for Fortune 500s like Nestle [COMPANY], boosting their brand awareness by 30% in a saturated food market [IMPACT].”
2. Highlight the latest experience (or the most relevant one)
What? Take this as a chance to show recent experience relevant to the role with quantifiable data (be careful, they could ask you more on this through the interview)
Structure? Impact with numbers — collaboration with specific client levels — technology used.
Example: Built a targeted email campaign [TECH SKILLS] with Spotify’s digital director on their new music platform [CLIENT], increasing subscriber sign-ups by 15% in just 3 months [IMPACT].
3. Spotlight Unique Strength valuable to the role
What? Share two quick experiences illustrating a valuable soft skill for the new role.
Structure? Addressing challenge 1 & 2 — concluding line highlighting the specific skill.
Example: I have navigated conflicting team opinions at a startup to avoid scheduling delays [ADDRESSING CHALLENGE1], fostered open communication between departments at Uber to launch a new service [ADDRESSING CHALLENGE2] showing strong teamwork and collaboration [SKILL].
4. Depict and Bridge the gap:
What? Connect your skills and experience to the specific needs of the company and the applied role.
Structure? Skills you have — Skills you need to grow — role you want
Example: “With an understanding of supply chain dynamics and warehouse operations and experience of implementing a just-in-time inventory management system to reduce stock holding costs by 20% [SKILLS YOU HAVE], I have gained exposure into logistics which would be useful as I am looking [NEED TO GROW] to foray in inventory management and help predict demand, understand lead times and build supplier relationships — which is what I shall learn from this role.
Another tip !!
End with a genuine compliment about a unique thing the company excels at.
Go forth and shine! ✨
