We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What is your best tip for articulating soft skills in an interview?
Here is what they shared:
- Remember Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
- Practice Casual Conversation
- Use the End of the Interview to Ask a Unique Question
Remember Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Even if you don’t love PB&J sandwiches, you can appreciate their simplicity: three simple ingredients, producing a tasty treat.
Similarly, when articulating your soft skills there are three simple “ingredients” you should remember:
- SKILL: The specific soft skill you want to highlight.
- RELEVANCE: Why this skill is important and valuable for the role you’re interviewing for.
- EVIDENCE: Examples of how you’ve successfully applied that skill in the past.
Maisha Christian, BS Marketing ‘10, Owner & Head Coach, Beauty & the Boss, LLC
Practice Casual Conversation
Many times, the best way to get to the top of a list is to be memorable. Interviewers have your list of qualifications, but they remember the person behind the resume.
Practice casual professional conversations so you aren’t too nervous and can showcase your communication skills.
Bailey Harris, BS Business Management ‘19, Project Manager, Boeing
Use the End of the Interview to Ask a Unique Question
I know I’m not alone when I say that I always dread the part of an interview when the recruiter asks “Do you have any last questions for me?”
While everyone else is going to ask “What are the next steps?”—I always recommend to new people entering the workforce to ask the recruiter a question that will make them pause and think.
These don’t have to be super in-depth, just something lightly reflective. My favorite is, “What is one thing you wish you could have told yourself on your first day at this company?”
It gives the end of the interview a personal touch (highlighting your soft skills) and now the recruiter gets a better opportunity to talk about themselves.
Joley Hamilton, BD Logistics, Materials, & Supply Chain Management ‘19, National Material Planner, Trulieve
Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published.
