How can you prepare for a behavioral interview in the Culture Change field?

Interviewing and providing relative answers can be stressful because we often only get one shot. It is helpful to research questions around culture, write down your answers using the SMART method. This allows you to look at the question and then see how closely your answers align. If you have someone you can practice with that is helpful as well. Be cautious going off on tangents and getting too far into the weeds. You will have a limited amount of time to show your great accomplishments.

The STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—is valuable because it provides a structured way to answer interview questions by illustrating your skills and experiences with specific examples. It helps you also to communicate effectively, showcasing your abilities and achievements clearly.

Culture is the identity of who or what the company is. In order to draw your expertise and experience with culture, it is helpful to research everything you can about the company and how they show up externally. No stone should be unturned. Review their website, new releases, job board reviews, social media and any other information you can gather about how they present themselves. If you have LinkedIn Premium, check out the Insights tab. There is helpful information there as well. Once you have a good handle on the information available, you are better prepared to provide a response of your culture experience and relate it to the question.

You must be prepared to speak about your key accomplishments and their impact. Read the job description, have a good sense of what the interviewer is looking for and make sure your examples and achievements match that. It is important to review your key accomplishment with high impact and rehearse what and how you will share it. Because confident people seem to come across more charismatic, I think that when you speak eloquently with confidence, you are more convincing and engaging. So carefully chose your projects and accomplishments, study them following the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) be ready to speak as you are the high achiever that the interviewer is looking for.

Prior to the interview it is helpful to look back at your experience and draw some examples of how you have influenced the culture in a positive manner. So often times we feel we need to provide some "earth shattering" example in order to impress or get our point across. In reality changing culture is a journey and those small incremental steps we take are often more impressive.

Displaying positive and enthusiastic emotions in job interviews helps create a favorable impression. It showcases your passion for the role and company, demonstrating your motivation and genuine interest. This positivity can also influence the interviewer's perception of your energy, attitude, and potential fit within the team.