BLUFF - What is the best way to answer accomplishment questions when the interviewer knows all the details of the accomplishment and disputes if your contribution lead to the results?
More details - I recently posted for an internal promotion, as part of the process both my current boss and her peers will be interviewing me. My boss reviewed my resume before these interview to give me suggestions and she questioned if my efforts on the projects listed really lead to the results I had listed. Her feedback was valuable but I am struggling with how to answer her and her peers as they ask the questions in the interview. I know that all of the projects were a team effort and I played only a part in the overall results but those results are attributed to the project. Any suggestions?
Answer the same as if you were interviewing externally
Your recollection of events and perception of the results may be different than those of the interviewers. Give them your perspective and be prepared to discuss how you decided what action to take and how you arrived at your conclusions.
I recently went through this, interviewing someone from another group for a position on my team. I thought I was well aware of his accomplishments, but conducted the interview as though I knew nothing other than what was on the resume. His answers showed me that he was well-qualified for the job and that he would be an excellent fit with the team. So far, both have turned out to be even more true than I had hoped.
Steve
DiSC 7114
Be realistic.
I used to work in a highly team environment where on occassion results were not directly attributable to any one individual. That said people in the team did generally know who had done what and how much they made a difference. It is an interview so I do think you are entitled to present to your benefit, and whilst your boss already probably has an opinion their peers will probably not.
It may help to think about the project and break it down. Yes there was a project with many participants, but did you move forward particular parts of it on your own. Did you generate the numbers, get the costings, negotiate with the supplier, etc.
Jonathan
Break it down and stick to your contribution
Hi,
These responses are great. As Steve and Jonathan have said, break the project down and consider your own contribution to each activity. If you were driving the team, talk about how you achieved that. Did you hold O3s with various team members (even peer O3s). Were you involved in planning, facilitating, checking etc.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Cyndy