Here's how you can highlight your problem-solving skills in an interview.

In interviews, showcasing problem-solving skills often starts with reflecting deeply on past experiences. This involves not just listing situations where you encountered challenges, but also delving into the thought process behind your actions. To effectively communicate this, take time to analyze the problem you faced, the options you considered, and why you chose a particular solution. For instance, if you resolved a conflict within a team, explain how you assessed the root cause of the conflict, brainstormed potential solutions, and ultimately decided on the most effective approach. Practical tip: Before the interview, jot down key situations where you successfully solved problems, and spend time reflecting on each one.

Highlighting problem-solving skills in an interview involves showcasing real-life examples where I effectively identified issues, analyzed root causes, and implemented successful solutions. I emphasize my ability to think critically, adapt to challenges, and collaborate with others to achieve objectives. Illustrating instances where I demonstrated creativity, resilience, and strategic thinking in resolving complex problems provides tangible evidence of my problem-solving capabilities. Emphasizing these experiences demonstrates my readiness to tackle challenges and add value to the prospective role.

First take some time to reflect on past instances where you successfully navigated complex problems. Think of specific examples that showcase your critical thinking, creativity, and persistence. When you discuss these situations, focus on the steps you took to identify the issue, the various solutions you considered, and the outcome of your actions. Then highlight how you've adapted to unexpected changes or incorporated new information into your problem-solving process. This demonstrates your ability to remain flexible and efficient even when conditions are less than ideal. Emphasizing this skill shows that you're not only a thinker but also a doer who can pivot.

Spend some time reviewing the top questions asked in interviews. These can include problem solving skills/traits, unexpected problems, the plan you use to problem solve, solution failures, and expected levels of support from management in problem solving to name a few. Come up with 1-2 examples of each scenario that help the interviewer to know how you think, your process, and related valuable skills in the problem-solving process. You can create a outline to write down each situation to ensure you have all relevant details top of mind and have clearly communicated the situation as it related to the question. Show both critical thinking skills and EQ skills when relating your answers.

Before the interview, be prepared with examples that show the skills the company is looking for. Try to look and talk to people within the company about issues and opportunities they are having. I recommend making notes about examples so you don't freeze up. Be very clear when answering the direct question that the interviewer is asking.

Begin by describing the Situation or Task you encountered, providing context for the problem. Then, outline the specific Actions you took to address the issue, focusing on your thought process and decision-making. Finally, share the Result or outcome of your actions, emphasizing the positive impact of your problem-solving abilities. Using the STAR framework ensures that you provide a structured and comprehensive response, enabling interviewers to clearly understand your approach to problem-solving. Practical tip: Practice framing your responses using the STAR method before the interview. Choose a few relevant examples from your experiences and structure your answers around the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

I find that people don't give examples when asked for them. Make sure to follow the question and what the person is asking for. Take a minute to gather your thoughts before answering the question. Repeat the question if you need to, to become clear with what the interviewer is asking. The STAR method is one way to present your inform. Be detailed but not over detailed. Practice with a coach or mentor.

Choose a framework that best suits the question. Frameworks include: STAR, SOAR, STARL, STARI, and PAR. STAR shows you specific task or action taken in the process. STARL works well if the interviewer wants to know how you grew or what you learned from the experience you are relating. SOAR works well when there is a roadblock or obstacle that is part of the solving process. STARI works well if you are communicating the importance of the impact of your decision as part of your answer. PAR is very basic, surface level breakdown (Problem, Action, Result). Choose that one that's most appropriate for the interviewer's question.

Problem-solving often requires adaptability and flexibility, especially when faced with unexpected challenges or changes. During the interview, emphasize your ability to remain flexible in diverse situations, showcasing your willingness to consider alternative solutions and adjust your approach as needed. Share examples where you successfully adapted to new information or revised your strategies in response to evolving circumstances. Highlighting your flexibility demonstrates your agility and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles, which are valuable traits in any professional setting. Practical tip: During the interview, be prepared to discuss times when you had to pivot or adapt your approach to solve a problem.

Demonstrate your ability to adapt your problem-solving approach to different situations and environments. Share examples of times when you successfully solved problems in high-pressure situations, with limited resources, or when faced with unexpected obstacles.

While documented and proven processes are important to communicate to the interviewer to prove competency and consistent results, it's also important to show you are flexible. Think of times when you had to use a different process, an alternative framework, think outside the box, or take a different perspective to problem solve. Be prepared to relate what you did differently than you would normally, how you changed your process for this specific situation, and how this change was needed to create good results. Flexibility also requires an open mind, a willingness to grow, and the ability to be creative when needed. Flexibility is a high EQ trait that's highly desirable for a leader to have.

When looking at problem-solving experience, show the interviewer that you are detailed in finding out about this current situation, observant, and flexible to changes that might need to happen during the process of solving the problem. Demonstrating how you come up with ways to determine the best solution and how you're going to follow up with that solution and complete it.

Focus on the outcomes of your problem-solving efforts. Highlight how your solutions improved processes, saved time or money, increased efficiency, or positively impacted the team or organization. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate the tangible impact of your skills.

In addition to describing how you approached and resolved a problem, it's crucial to emphasize the impact of your actions. Quantify the results whenever possible, whether it's through metrics, feedback, or tangible outcomes. For example, if you implemented a new process to streamline operations, quantify the time or cost savings achieved as a result. Highlighting the impact of your problem-solving efforts demonstrates your effectiveness and value to potential employers, reinforcing your ability to deliver tangible results. Practical tip: When discussing your problem-solving experiences during the interview, always tie your actions back to the broader impact they had on the organization or team.

Creating impact is the purpose of problem solving. You want to relate how your ability at solving problems impacts your work, the organization and the vision on the company. Relate the outcome or results of the decision to your efforts in problems solving. Share examples that you can provide statistics to share in measurable terms how your decision created results. Show how your decisions and work impacted as many levels of the business as possible.

During the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the types of problems the company is currently facing or anticipates facing in the future. This shows your genuine interest in understanding the organization's challenges and your readiness to contribute solutions.

Share Specific Examples. Instead of simply stating that you're a good problem solver, provide real-life examples of problems you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. Describe the problem, the steps you took to analyze it, and the solution you implemented.