Interview with confidence

“Tell me about your management style,” or “What is your philosophy of management?” are common interview questions.  How can you answer them without sounding “canned?”  Most people will answer such questions with: “I’m collaborative, I like to give my staff room to grow, I’m a good listener, but know when to be decisive, I’m a leader, good management starts with clear goals,” etc. etc. Clients initially recycle clichés because that is what the other side, supposedly, wants to hear. But think about it, who is going say that they are non-collaborative micromanagers, or that their approach is dictatorial?

The question, then, is how can you replace interview clichés with compelling content that best advances your cause while also answering the interviewer’s questions in depth?  Communicate through story telling. Use SAGE (Situation, Action, Gain, Effect) stories to illustrate the impact you have had upon previous companies. Use SAGE stories to answer open-ended questions like, “what motivates you?,” or “what types of employees do you find difficult to work with,” or “what is your greatest strength?” SAGE stories separate you from the pack because no-one has had your particular set of experiences. Your argument, in fact, is that your unique set of experiences uniquely qualifies you for the position in question.

SAGE breakdown:


Situation: What were the opportunities? What were the obstacles?

Action: How did you manage the variables: Budget, staff, client, technology, product, and deadline that made this assignment interesting or unique.

Gain: What was gained by the completion of this project?

Effect:  What were the long term effects to the company's benefit? How did the client benefit? What did you learn from it?

SAGE stories add texture, flavor, and nuance to the image you are building of yourself. Personify yourself through SAGE stories and your credibility will be strengthened. This material will become a reliable framework from which you can answer just about any interview question with clarity and confidence. Such self-assurance will separate you from the competition. Remember, they are probably using the clichés you have left behind.

How does one build a repertoire of SAGE stories?  Use interview questions to map your past. Choose 25 questions and write out answers in the SAGE format. This will take some time and effort, but the rewards will be enormous. Your ability to articulate the impact you have had throughout your career will dramatically boost your chances of being hired.  Prepare and practice SAGE stories about the most important subject there is to your career: yourself.