Let your 4-H experience tell the story during an interview
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EmailTackling a tough question during the interview process can be made easy with a story.
“Tell us a bit about yourself.” That is a type of question often asked at an interview or on a college application. The employer or institution is wanting to get to know more about you and what type of person you are. They are also trying to find out how you can break down such a wide ranging question.
It’s best you don’t go into a full fledge story of where you were born, what your favorite color is or what you might have had for lunch that day—unless that was meaningful. A good idea is to tell a story that will highlight the unique attributes about yourself and give insight to who you are. This is an opportunity to set yourself apart from the other candidates. If you have been involved with 4-H, there are wonderful opportunities and experiences to share. Michigan State University Extension offers the following advice on how you can go about framing a story so you are prepared to take on those tough and probing questions.
According to Peter Jones in “12 Easy Steps to a Job Interview,” it’s best to use PAR. PAR refers to Problem, Action, Result. In your story, try to incorporate these three points. First, state the problem, challenge or experience you were involved in. What did you have to overcome or what goal did you want to accomplish? Examples in 4-H could be raising a livestock animal to win grand champion, presenting a solution to a world hunger issue, designing a remote operating vehicle or getting through the first week of camp. Whatever the story is, it should show you overcoming an obstacle or acknowledging a problem that needed to be solved. Try to point out a skill that would equate to the job you are applying for.
The second point is express what actions you took to solve that problem. The actions characterize how you address problems. Here you highlight the quality and character of the person you are or the skills you used to solve that problem. Some character traits or skills may be researching the issue more or deeply seeking out what others had done in the past. Going above and beyond what was expected from the project or expected from the job qualifications is another. Helping out others or working within a team are also positive skills. Other traits may be asking good questions, making changes, or adjusting, modifying or reworking a project. Even stating you failed and then tried again shows tenaciousness, perseverance or grit. Again, try to focus and highlight the qualities that make you who you are and best fit this organization or job. Don’t forget, you can add in a little humor too. It may relax you and your interviewer.
The third point to emphasize is the result. How did it end? Here you want to express the key points you learned or the epiphany you may have had. You want to state the overreaching point of the story and reemphasize the likeable and employable qualities you have for the position. There are many great stories that come out of 4-H experiences and your life in general that I am sure it will not be a problem coming up with a story or two. Frame what you have accomplished or how you grew as a person.
Please note, this does not have to be a successful story, but it should express the quality person you are by your actions. You may have lost or had bombed the speech, but it’s what you have learned and how you have changed after that experience that are the key points you want to express to the interviewer. Everyone loves a good story, and you can use that to your advantage.
4-H is a good foundation for experiences that build character traits and skills in youth. These are experiences you can share and often equate to employability skills and life skills in general. Try to have three to four stories or experiences to draw upon during the interview to answer a variety of questions. It’s best to outline these stories and practice telling them for family and friends beforehand so you are hitting on key points and accentuating the qualities about yourself. You may even get to know a little bit more about yourself.
For more information about 4-H programing opportunities, visit the Michigan 4-H Youth Development website. For more information about job interviewing, read “Preparing for summer job interviews” by Sara Keinath of MSU Extension.
