It was a campus endorsement interview for a prestigious cultural-exchange fellowship. All in all it was a pretty low-stakes situation - the committee gets to know the student better, and the student gets feedback on their written materials and interview skills.
Win-win…most of the time.
This particular person entered the room and showcased a proposal to “save” people in another country. The proposal demonstrated no understanding of cultural context or community needs.
For someone applying to a cultural-exchange program, this is a red flag. For an aspiring business owner, this is a misunderstanding of your market. For a graduating senior, this is a great chance to understand how to better prepare for an interview.
The committee posed some thoughtful questions to dig deeper into the proposal: What sparked this idea? How do you know there is a community need? Can you say more about building your proposed infrastructure in a low-resourced area?
Y’all…when I say the student came out swinging…
Instead of engaging in a conversation and using this as an opportunity to learn and develop a better proposal, this particular student was having none of it. Determined that we didn't understand the market. Unconcerned with cultural context. Angry that we didn’t automatically support “the vision”. When we asked about their qualifications to engage in such a project, all we got back was a summer internship at a high profile bank.
So what should have this person done differently?
1) Understand what you’re applying for
This was a cultural-exchange program, so understanding cultural context should be an expected interview question. When you are preparing for an interview, understanding the organization mission, looking at strategic plans, and keeping up on news headlines will give you insight into what you are likely to be asked, and what types of answers they are looking for.
2) Be curious
Yes, an interview puts the candidate in the hot seat by default. And it is also a chance for you to learn - about the company, the role, and yourself. If you are getting questions you didn’t expect, ask how those topics are related to the day-to-day. If a question makes you feel uncomfortable, take a beat to think about why. If you are perceiving misalignment, express curiosity to see if this is still a fit, or if there has been miscommunication.
3) Remember, this is a conversation
At the end of the day, an interview is a chance to get to know you better. Your application materials have already been reviewed, and the hiring team wants to get to know you better. It’s ok to ask clarifying questions, strategically highlight your proudest accomplishments, and ask thoughtful questions to make sure this is a good fit for you.
If you would like help telling your career story with confidence, or would like 1:1 interview preparation support, feel free to check out my Coaching Site. I’d love to connect!
