What are some ways to show self-reflection during an interview?

Having participated in numerous interviews, I've observed that candidates often hesitate to share real-life anecdotes, potentially due to concerns about discussing negative experiences. However, what's crucial is how they leverage these situations to demonstrate their potential for success. By relating such scenarios to the specific role they're interviewing for, candidates can showcase their ability to overcome challenges and anticipate future obstacles. Honest sharing of experiences not only reflects character but also leaves a lasting impression, aligning with the requirements of the role they are applying for.

Being aware of your character strengths is a must. You can get to know yourself better if you take a survey on this topic. You can find character assessment tests and surveys on viacharacter.org.

Do not be afraid to be real! No company is looking for an employee that does everything perfectly every single time. They would rather value individuals who can acknowledge their actual strength and weaknesses, do not afraid to communicate when things go wrong, are able to take a step back and find a different solution. ° Talk about times when things did not go the way you expected and what did you learn from that, how this situation let you grow personally and professionally.

Share your story as it is - not the polished perfect version, but the imperfect honest and humane version. During my interviews, I share my journey of struggles, doubts, experiments, success and learnings (you call it failures or learning, choose wisely).

Always list questions prior to the interview using the company website and finding their vision. Good questions to ask; what projects/ programmes are you currently working on? Who is in the team I will be working with? What current research are you conducting? What are challenges for your team? This shows interest and insight into the team you will be working for and what you might be working on.

It is important to show that we value to time of our interviewer. Thank them before and after the interview. Before the end of the day, send a simple thank you email.

Pause, and don't be afraid to do so. No one can self-reflect while talking or listening at the same time (two cognitive tasks for one brain). Saying "Please, allow me a few seconds to collect my thought" will not only give you time to self-reflect; it will also show to the interviewer(s) that you are confident enough to change the course of the interview.

Don't be in a rush. You and the interviewer have this time dedicated for this specific task. Be present, be mindful and take your time. It's okay if you need to pause to gather your thoughts. Do not hesitate to ask for time when needed.