Preparing for an interview isn’t just about researching the company - it’s about knowing your own experiences inside and out. We’ve all experienced the panic when the interviewer asks, “Tell me about a time when…” and you freeze, nothing comes to mind. That’s where core stories come in. A core story is a specific example from your own experiences that highlights key skills, abilities, and growth. Having a few of these stories ready will help you confidently answer behavioral questions and showcase your strengths in any interview.

Before your interview, take some time to think of four to six distinct experiences that highlight different aspects of your abilities. These could include:

A time you successfully achieved a goal or were proud of your work:

• Completing a challenging project or earning a high grade on a difficult assignment.

• Organizing an event for a student club or sports team that had a great turnout.

A challenging situation or a time you didn’t achieve a goal—and what you learned:

• Dealing with a difficult customer at work and learning how to stay professional.

• Not getting a job or internship you applied for and using the experience to improve your resume/interview skills.

An experience working collaboratively, considering communication styles and conflict, highlighting both strengths and challenges:

• Navigating group dynamics in a team project where some members weren’t contributing.

• Working on a club executive team and balancing different opinions to reach a decision.

• Managing a conflict with a customer by staying calm, listening to their concerns, and finding a way to meet their needs.

An example of using skills relevant to the job (e.g., research, data analysis, social media, industry specific programs, etc.):

• Conducting research for a class project and analyzing data to draw conclusions.

• Managing a club’s social media page and increasing engagement.

Once you have your stories, practice using the STARS method (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Self-assessment) to structure your answers. This will help you provide clear, concise, and compelling responses when asked behavioral questions in an interview. 

By preparing in advance, you’ll feel more confident and be ready to adapt your answers to different interview questions. Need help refining your responses? Your Work Experience Coordinator can support you with mock interviews and personalized feedback, book your appointment now!