What are some ways to show that you are a good problem solver during a community organizing job interview?

1 Share relevant stories

One of the best ways to show that you are a good problem solver is to share stories from your previous or current community organizing experience that illustrate how you handled a specific problem. For example, you can describe how you identified a gap in service delivery, how you engaged stakeholders, how you developed and tested a solution, and how you measured and reported the impact. Make sure to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your stories and highlight your skills.

2 Use the problem-solving framework

Another way to show that you are a good problem solver is to use a problem-solving framework to answer hypothetical or situational questions. A problem-solving framework is a tool that helps you break down a problem into smaller parts, analyze the root causes, generate and evaluate alternatives, and propose and implement a solution. You can use a framework like the 5 Whys, the 7 Steps, or the 8 Disciplines to guide your thinking and communicate your logic. Explain each step of the framework and how it applies to the problem at hand.

3 Show your research skills

A good problem solver also needs to have good research skills. You need to be able to gather and analyze relevant information, identify trends and patterns, and use evidence to support your arguments. You can show your research skills by demonstrating how you use various sources of data, such as surveys, interviews, reports, or statistics, to understand the problem, the context, and the potential solutions. You can also show how you use tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or Tableau to organize and visualize your data.

4 Demonstrate your creativity

Creativity is another essential skill for problem solving. You need to be able to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and adapt to changing circumstances. You can demonstrate your creativity by showing how you use brainstorming, mind mapping, or prototyping techniques to come up with innovative solutions. You can also show how you use feedback, testing, or iteration to refine and improve your solutions. You can also give examples of how you overcame obstacles or constraints by using your creativity.

5 Highlight your collaboration skills

Problem solving is not a solo activity. You need to be able to work with others, leverage their strengths, and build consensus. You can highlight your collaboration skills by showing how you involve your community members, partners, and allies in the problem-solving process. You can also show how you use communication, negotiation, or facilitation skills to foster dialogue, resolve conflicts, and achieve agreements. You can also give examples of how you collaborate with other community organizers or organizations to share best practices, learn from each other, and coordinate actions.

6 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?