Here's how you can ace behavioral interview questions in the context of Enterprise Software.

You are competing for a job. Treat it like a competition. Preparation and practice is key to most things in life, especially competition. Regardless if you prefer STAR or CAR. preparation and practice make a difference. Define taxonomies of impact valued by your sector (e.g., cost ??, growth, ?? revenue or client experience, reducing time to market or bugs, etc.). Then, think about your greatest achievements and map out your ?/?? and practice communicating them.During your interview, as you get a sense of what's impt to them you can pick and share the most appropriate ?/?? you'd prepared. Also, prep for stumper questions like, what don't u enjoy doing at your job, last mistake u learned from, or what your weaknesses are. Best of ?? luck!

Highlight your experience with specific examples where you made significant contributions to the implementation or maintenance of enterprise software solutions. Be ready to discuss challenges you've faced and resolved in these projects, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and positive outcomes. Emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, such as IT, finance, and operations, showcasing your teamwork skills. Remember to approach interviews calmly, be specific, honest, positive, and show your self-motivation by researching the company and aligning your relevant skills with the job description.

While there is no set formula to ace an interview on any subject, one can be sure of positive outcome by approaching any problem situation in a structured manner. In other words one should be able to Analyse a situation very quickly and identify roles that you and other team members have to undertake. Follow this up with definitive action to come to a planned and foreseeable result. It is imperative that an interview in NOT an overview especially when it comes to behavioral aspects. One is expected to have clarity of thought in above mentioned activities and be able to measure the results and thus gauge performance. The beauty of this approach is that it can help you with course correction relatively quickly and with greater accuracy.

Whether it's the STAR method (widely used at AWS) or the similar CAR method (Context, Action, Result - used at IBM), in all instance candidate should outline what they did individually (use "i" rather than "we") to achieve the results/outcome.

One thing that I have found helpful is honesty opposed to any specific method. Methods are only guidelines that can often have people that are interviewing for a particular position attempt to fit perfectly into that method, however life is much more fluid than any given method. Be true to your own experiences and allow the interview to flow. Hiring Managers will often follow their gut instincts, where honesty will more often than not prevail.

Not all experiences need to be from a professional context that’s the same as the job you’re applying for. Some of the best ones come from elsewhere - whether it’s volunteer experience, a different sort of job, or a project you took on for fun / learning! Look to leverage those as well and, as a bonus, they may help you to stand out from your peers.

Nothing more important that knowing your audience in an interview - what you say or (sometimes more importantly) what you don’t say can make all the difference. The more senior the audience the less detail- keep it high level and remember listening is just as important as talking.

When it comes to graduate engineers, reflecting on experience is often harder. Participating more in labs, doing internship and volunteer project helps!

reparing for interviews in Enterprise Software involves reflecting on past experiences—challenges faced, solutions implemented, and lessons learned. Highlight stories showcasing technical expertise, leadership, communication, and resilience under pressure. Tailor narratives to align with the role's core responsibilities, demonstrating competencies effectively. By doing so, you'll present yourself as a well-rounded candidate adept at solving complex problems and driving success in future endeavors. Reflect on your journey to refine your interview strategy and leverage your experiences to stand out.

There is no short cut to research and understanding the role you are applying for. When you are able to reflect on past experiences it shows that you are well-prepared for the interview, and confident in your previous experiences. It's a cliché, but so true - every day is a school day!

Crafting a compelling narrative is critical in storytelling. The story needs to be tailored to clearly address the experience area. It should be simple to understand. Your data should support the narrative and should be framed to the context. The story needs to have clear business outcomes and insights.

Always use a simple story. Avoid stories that has multiple actors or situations. For instance, a disagreement between you and your boss is OK. A disagreement between a work colleague's team lead over email/slack/chat situation is often hard to explain and understand.

When preparing for an interview, customizing your stories to match the job description is essential. If the role involves leading teams, highlight examples showcasing your leadership skills. For positions demanding customer interaction, focus on stories that demonstrate your ability to understand and meet client needs. In the Enterprise Software sector, where roles are often highly specialized, align your experiences with the specific skills mentioned in the job posting. This approach not only illustrates your qualifications but also shows the interviewer that you are an ideal fit for the job. Tailoring your stories effectively can make all the difference in landing your next role.

The best communicators are Story Tellers, they have the ability to tailor a previous experience and tell the story that becomes relatable and relevant to the audience you are speaking too. Mastering story telling and being able to adapt the story will prove to be a long term skill.

I was recently running a workshop on Presentation Skills and the top skill I was hoping to impart to my audience was the art of storytelling. You may have come across people in your work and life that can hold an audience rapt with attention with a story they're telling. Even a simple and trivial story told right, can make the difference between an interviewer liking you or completely tuning out. I'm not advocating performing a Broadway play just to stand out. But having a handful of go-to examples that showcase your relevant experience (be it in leading teams, being a team player, working through challenges, working with challenging people) would go a long way. Keep the story short and sweet with a positive moral.

If english is not your first language, don't be disappointed. Always remember, your response counts - not the speed of response

Mastering effective communication goes beyond the words you use—it's about how you deliver your message. Whether presenting technical details or discussing complex projects, confidence and clarity are key. Practice speaking aloud to refine your delivery, ensuring your stories flow smoothly and resonate with your audience. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and body language, as these non-verbal cues greatly influence how your message is received. Effective communication not only enhances understanding but also strengthens connections, making your message memorable and impactful.

Most interviews these days are conducted remotely. Ensure that you've "set the stage" prior to the interview. Double check your mic+speaker, background and network settings. I've conducted interviews where it felt like I was talking to a confidential informant whose face was osbscured with an overexposed background. Does it mean you have to now sit with your face looking out a window to get better lighting? The answer is, Yes! Make an effort, you're the one who wants the job, right? The thing that kills me is that most candidates know they could do better with their delivery as well. And yet almost none of them want to do anything about it. They're hoping to find an employer that cares as little as they do about how they come across.

It's crucial you practice before you interview so the story rolls off your tongue. When you tell the story try to explain it like you are talking to a 5th grader. It's important to go into details, that give context. Practice with a friend or tape yourself. You might find you say "filler words" or "um", which you can correct. Take your time to convey the message and take pauses to ask if the interviewer if they understand. At the end always ask a question if they understand, if it makes sense. And if you can clarify anything for them.

Don’t overthink your delivery. The classic pitfall is to rehearse too much and then you sound like : beep booop bop and disingenuous or at best scripted . Practice with your own words and try telling the story of your interview from the past tense perspective of your audience. “I interviewed this person today and they were awesome because they naturally describe outcomes with excitement and zeal.” Then, just be that person in the story.

Probably dating myself here. But there was a time when "teaching your parents to work the VCR" or being your family's default "IT guy" was a very relatable task. It seems like every other week, I hear about some new mobile app or web app that incorporates the latest and greatest technology out there. I think the key is not to learn everything new that comes out. The key is understanding what problems these tools attempt to solve. And to focus on the ones that are relevant to your job role (or the job you're applying to). Working in Sales Enablement, we rely on an LMS for disseminating most of our training. No tool is perfect though. So learning to adapt to what you have, and potentially what the company pivots to will be key.

Here’s the full term. “A jack of all trades and a master of none, is still always better than a master of one. “ Be a generalist over a specialist. Because it demonstrates your ability to be mailable over time.

As change is the only thing you can trust, Darwin said that adaptability is the key to survival and puts you in the "fittest" column. While the STAR method, custom stories, and alignment are all qualities that should be addressed (those are the bare minimum in my view), adaptability is for adepts. "Adepts", meaning, you understand that change will be beating your door and raining on your head. Everyone else's priorities are higher and riskier and more visible than the other. So, to quiet the noise and get at the Helm of the chaos, you must be able to pivot quickly and without an emotional response. There's not a more important time to be cool headed than during an ERP change.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Enterprise Software, adaptability is paramount. Detail concrete examples where you effectively maneuvered transitions, emphasizing your optimistic approach and eagerness to acquire new skills. This not only showcases your technical versatility but also underscores your resilience and ability to thrive in dynamic settings. Demonstrating adaptability underscores your value as a professional capable of driving success in any scenario, positioning you as a valuable asset to prospective organizations seeking agile and forward-thinking talent.

Within the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise software, adaptability isn’t just a valuable trait — it’s essential ??. Showcasing instances where you’ve successfully embraced new technologies or methodologies can dramatically underscore your resilience and forward-thinking approach. When discussing these moments in interviews, I find it crucial to emphasize not only the technical adaptability but also the required mindset shifts. This helps illustrate a comprehensive adaptation strategy that includes both skill and attitude, providing a clear picture of how effectively one can navigate and thrive in dynamic environments ????. Let’s not just adapt to change; let’s anticipate and harness it to propel our careers and contributions forward.

Be prepared for multiple follow-up questions and deep dives into the factual structure and way of work within the projects you mention. Overanalyze the examples you are sharing beforehand, so you are ready to include detailed answers as it relates to your impact: who did what? why was it structured that way? how was your individual contribution measured? Anyhing setbacks or challenges faced? how did you resolve those?

In enterprise software, it’s not enough to complete projects; it’s crucial to demonstrate the tangible impacts of efforts. When discussing software projects, I always strive to quantify successes – be it through improved performance, cost savings, or enhanced user experiences. Highlighting these achievements provides a clear picture of how my contributions drive meaningful business outcomes. This approach not only shows a deep understanding of business results but also positions one as a value-driven professional. By focusing on the outcomes, we can clearly differentiate ourselves as candidates who don’t just participate in projects, but significantly elevate them ??

One thing I often tell candidates in their interview preparation is that 'I don't know' or 'I dont' recall' is also a valid answer to an interview question. It shows honesty and humility. A good interviewer can tell if a candidate cannot answer the question, so better to admit this yourself and turn it into an area of development. Also: a good interview should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. Feel encouraged to ask questions and be inquisitive throughout the interview - this shows true interest in the role and inner workings of the company

Being adaptable, coachable, willing to learn and being a master in story telling will take you a long way in turning prospects to customers! Be relevant and honest, listen and always be open to learning from those around you.

At the end of the day remember it's a job. And the person sitting across from you is another person. It's important to tap into your EQ and to theirs. Ask them questions about themselves how they got to their role maybe even something that they did over the weekend. It's important to find that connection. Research says that people are attracted to other people with common interests or common themes. If you can find a way to relate to the person sitting across from you you have a much higher chance of succeeding in the interview. Take a deep breath remember it's just an interview and try to have fun with it. And always smile because smiling is contagious and the person across from you will smile back. Remember you got this

Being simple and creative while explaining how addressed challenge by leveraging technology and tools adds a lot of value to thee conversation. Examples and case studies will give more confidence on how our response is perceived and make the conversations more engaging .

Highly depends on the job level your interviewing for and the culture of the company your interviewing for but based on most technical people I've met who are at some level towards the introvert side, I'd emphasis general pleasant conversation over highly accurate responses. The computer won't excuse you for putting the wrong word in, but people will. Commonly behavioral interviews are given by more extroverted people, they tend to view long pauses as negative, either lack/low communication skills or attempts to hide the real truth. I'm not saying they aren't aware and interview a lot of introverts for these title, just that being overly structured, accurate pre-made STAR responses can backfire if you need to put a lot of effort into them.