What do you do if your leadership abilities are not shining during an insurance interview?

1 Reflect Quickly

When you sense your leadership skills aren't shining, take a moment to reflect on the reasons why. It could be due to a lack of clarity in your responses or not fully understanding the question. Quickly assess what's missing and adjust your approach. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your leadership experiences effectively. This method helps you tell a compelling story about how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past.

2 Stay Composed

Maintaining composure is key when things don't go as planned. If you stumble, take a deep breath and center yourself. Remember, everyone has off moments; what matters is how you recover. Use your resilience as a way to demonstrate leadership under pressure. If a particular question threw you off, ask for clarification or a moment to collect your thoughts. This shows that you can handle stress gracefully and are not afraid to seek help or clarification when needed—qualities of a good leader.

3 Emphasize Teamwork

Leadership isn't just about taking charge; it's also about being a team player. If you're struggling to showcase direct leadership experiences, pivot to discussing how you've contributed to a team's success. Talk about times when you supported a leader's vision or helped mediate conflicts within a team. By doing so, you demonstrate an understanding of different leadership roles and the importance of collaboration within the insurance industry.

4 Leverage Adaptability

In the insurance sector, adaptability is a critical leadership trait. If your planned responses aren't resonating, switch gears and share examples of how you've adapted to changes or overcome challenges. This could involve discussing how you navigated new regulations, technologies, or shifts in the market. Highlighting your adaptability shows that you can lead through uncertainty—a valuable skill in the ever-evolving world of insurance.

6 Offer Follow-Up

If after the interview you feel there were leadership aspects you didn't get to express, consider sending a follow-up message. This can be a thank-you email where you briefly touch upon the leadership topics you wish you had delved into more during the interview. It's a second chance to highlight your skills and show your proactive nature—don't hesitate to use it.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?