You’re preparing for a job interview. How can you prove that you’re a self-starter? (2024)

Key takeaways from this article

• Concrete examples:

  Show you're a self-starter by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe past initiatives. It frames your actions positively and demonstrates results-driven thinking.

• Align with company goals:

  Before the interview, research team members' LinkedIn profiles and align your achievements with company objectives. Share what you've learned from successes and failures, highlighting adaptability.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

• Jenifer John Career Determiner - Guides YOU on YouR…
• Laura Bourke Founder of Aspire Recruitment |…

• Jenifer John Career Determiner - Guides YOU on YouR Personalized Career Path

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  One of the Powerful ways to show you're a self-starter is to align your conversation that adapts more towards the company's goals. (groundwork needed)Try to check LinkedIn profiles within the same team (interviewer / team member) Share your achievements and explain in detail your achievements, the paths and strategies chosen that led to the achievements.Also your failed projects and what you learned from them, how you managed to fill gaps and recovered from that.

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• Laura Bourke Founder of Aspire Recruitment | [email protected] | Supporting Your Career Aspirations | Entrepreneur

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  Every job application process will focus on varying elements. In roles where being a self-starter is important, you can demonstrate this throughout the application process in your demeanour, how you answer the phone to the recruiter, how promptly you send your CV and how well formatted it is, etc. These are non verbal cues to recruiters as to exactly how much of a self-starter you are. Other ways of showing your self-starter ability at the interview is by giving examples of situations in your work life that demonstrate that exact quality. Keep your answer relevant, concise and with a positive outcome. The outcome must clearly depict how you are a self starter.

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• Cheryl Anderson President/Sr. Search Consultant @ Anderson Recruiting + Consulting | Recruiting, Staffing, Contingent and Retained Search, Consulting, TA

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  It was a little scary when I was considering starting my search firm years ago. Can I do this? What if I fail? I tend to be a glass-half-full risk taker, so luckily, the positives outweighed my negatives. I was still figuring out how to start a business. I had some solid mentors and supporters who guided and encouraged me. Failures will happen so be prepared to offer grace and work through them. In addition, building a team that shares a true passion for the industry and with each other really matters. In 18 years, we have grown to a tenured team of 16 remote across the US. We stay connected and have fun. And I am so glad I took the risk years ago and allowed myself this opportunity.

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• Kim Iocco

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  In my role as a sales leader, in new markets our team was struggling to generate leads through traditional advertising methods . Our sales pipeline was not solid, and it was evident that we needed to explore alternative strategies to attract potential customers.Task: Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, I took the initiative to research market potential and aligned zip codes with highest potential and outlined databases according to the teams strengths. Action:- Started VBR's and sales training with valid business reasons to call. As the team developed a comprehensive outline was developed to include social media, whitepapers and infographics addressing topics to our audience.Results: in a 3 month period we saw a 15% increase.

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• Ed Han Talent Acquisition 👉𝗚𝗲𝗲𝗸👈 | JobSeeker Ally | I'm not active on LinkedIn: I'm 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿active! | Wordsmith | Senior Recruiter at Cenlar FSB | Hiring for IT roles exclusively in the 19067 ZIP code | That #EDtalk guy

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  The STAR method is the gold standard of approaches, and the key to a strong STAR story lies in the impact of what you did."Due to growing client demand at my recruiting agency, I took the initiative to select and implement the company's first ATS. After a four month selection process, we implemented our ATS and the recruiting team was able to increase candidate submissions to clients by 25%."This is an actual STAR story from earlier in my career. Its power to anyone who would want to hire me lies in the indisputable, clear impact of my initiative: more submissions to clients.The example itself isn't what needs to be concrete: the impact is.Because if the impact isn't meaningful, who cares?

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• Mao Yanagawa Head of Global Talent @Singularity 6 for Palia

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  See Also

  You're preparing for an Airline Management interview. How do you answer questions about your weaknesses?How to Boost Your Chances of Getting Hired as Flight Attendanthow to introduce myself in airforce gdIntroduce Yourself with a Personal Commercial

  As a Talent Acquisition, I always want to see whether you are a driver or a co-pilot. I want to hear "specifics" and your "critical thinking". Which problem did you identify and bring up to whom? What solution did you find or did your leader(s) provide the solution to you? Which actions did you take to solve this problem? What was your challenge? What was the impact you could bring to the team? What was your takeaway? Whether we strongly deliver or fall short, we always learn new things, skills, and/or tools. And don't hesitate to share your failures and mistakes you made. We are all human beings and more importantly, I would like to hear how you utilized this lesson.This is my vision and may not apply to all situations.

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• Sylvia Ofoegbu (LLB, BL, LLM, SPHRi) Head of HR and Legal Services at Scotham Alliance Limited

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  To prove you are a self-starter during a job interview, mention previous instances where you took the initiative and achieved positive outcomes. Highlight accomplishments that required independent thinking, problem-solving, and task completion without constant supervision. Discuss personal projects, volunteer work, or community involvement that demonstrate your proactive nature. Mention how you improved workflows, acquired new skills, or set and achieved personal goals. Ask insightful questions to showcase your curiosity and eagerness to contribute.Remember, while it's important to provide concrete examples, align your self-starter qualities with the specific requirements and values of the company you are interviewing with.

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  Think of a challenge you recognized in the past. Did you wait for others to solve it or did you put yourself in the driver's seat to do so? And if you did, what were the concrete actions you took to solve that challenge? Concrete examples help us showcase our skills.

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  In an interview process always share different situations and share notes how a specific skill set of yours helped solving such situations. Sharing situational examples is one of the best ways to demonstrate usage or skill set that you have.

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• Ricardo Javier Rojas Caballero PBP | DHO | Transformation | Acquisition

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  Link your story about your career development and use keywords to highlight your skills that are being sought after in the interview.

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• Daphne Hamilton

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  Demonstrate your interest in the company by reviewing current corporate media online and reach out to connected people in the know to fuel your insight and open your mind to questions that are important in your decision making. A statement to consider, "I read on the website the CEO mission statement that you are growing teams globally and enhancing technology I am excited to know more about senior leadership thought how AI will impact employee retention as we navigate the space."

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  Are you preparing for an upcoming job interview? Remember, the questions you ask can be just as important as the ones you answer. It's crucial to choose your questions wisely as they can demonstrate your curiosity, logic, strategy, people skills, and vision. These types of questions can lead to deeper, more meaningful conversations with your interviewer. Don't underestimate the power of asking the right questions and making a great impression

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• Nathan Yineman, PHR, SHRM-CP Human Resources Manager at Kitchen Fresh Foods

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  When being interviewed remember that you are interviewing them as well. In order for a new position to be successful it has to be good fit for everyone involved. Desperation hires on either side rarely turn out as a positive. Do your research, ask questions about what success in the position looks like to the prospective company and then conduct a mental debrief after the interview to ensure that everything lines up. At this stage if you have questions you can ask them in your thank you follow up.

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  It's not just about answering; it's about showing initiative and curiosity. Ask about the company's goals, challenges, and how your role fits in. Prove you're proactive by researching beforehand and proposing ideas. Demonstrate your ability to take charge and drive results. Inquiring with purpose not only showcases your self-starter attitude but also highlights your commitment to success.

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• Ioanna G. Talent Partner at HeliosX

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  To demonstrate being a self-starter in a job interview, cite specific examples of initiative such as spearheading projects, achieving goals independently, or suggesting process improvements. Highlight effective time management skills, ability to prioritize tasks, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities voluntarily. Emphasize instances where you've received positive feedback for your proactive approach, showcasing your capability to drive results without constant supervision.

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• Chris Epley Colleague Relations/Skilled relationship builder dedicated to fostering a world class work environment!

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  Every hiring manager is looking for a person who feels passion for what they do. Whether it is passion for the specific industry the company services, the field within that industry, or how one or both impact their community. Be able to speak about the company you are interviewing with: know how you fit within the company's mission and values, talk about how you think you can make a positive impact. Be able to express what truly drew you to the company and your field. As a Recruiter, we know you want a job, but do you truly want THIS job with THIS company? Talk about how you fit within the company/industry and what impact you want to make is key to a successful interview!

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• Claudiu Filimon Talent Acquisition Specialist @ Toronto Metropolitan University | Top Recruiting Voice on LinkedIn

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  There is some truth to the adage that if you do what you like or are passionate about what you do, it does not feel like work (most of the times). I am fortunate to have reached this stage in my career, and at interviews I can articulate my authentic passion for talent acquisition and offering managers and candidates a best in class experience. I typically relate this passion to projects or improvement suggestions I have suggested due to it. I relate this passion to strategic contributions I make in an organization by attracting top diverse talent and ensuring that the organization can achieve its mission or solve complex issues. I also relate this passion to intellectual curiosity and wanting to truly understand business needs.

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• Carolyn Wells Director Talent Acquisition @ Sciton | Seven Seals Award | Prioritizing significance over success. | ForbesBLK Member

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  Being a self-starter means having the ability and motivation to take initiative and drive projects forward without constant direction or supervision.During a job interview, you can showcase this ability by providing specific examples from your past experiences where you took the initiative without being prompted. You can mention projects you initiated and emphasize your ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and solve problems autonomously.As someone who conducts job interviews, I can tell you that being a self-starter is a trait I look for in potential candidates. Use these tips to showcase this trait in your next interview. You've got this! 🎯

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• (edited)

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  In the world of game development, expressing your passion and standing out is like crafting your adventure! Showcasing a portfolio filled with game projects is just the beginning of a canvas reflecting your creativity and love for the craft. Stay plugged into the latest trends and technologies, attending conferences and sharing your insights with fellow gamers. Networking isn't just about making connections; it's about building relationships and fostering a community where everyone's passion shines through. Keep learning, keep growing, and let your enthusiasm light up the room when the time comes to share your journey in interviews. Your unique blend of passion and creativity sets you apart in this thrilling game development adventure!

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  Passion and enthusiasm can get you a job when you're missing some of the skills.Why?One of the reasons is that over 65% of people work jobs they don't like or are disengaged. This means that if you show passion, you're already in the top 35%.The other thing is that when you show passion in what you do you will also be a self-starter, self-sufficient, innovative, go the extra mile, deliver quality, and really make a difference.Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes, what kind of people would you want to hire?

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• Chris MacLean Helping Educators Confidently Transition into Corporate Careers | Proven System with 16,000+ Success Stories. Work with me to become a "former" teacher.

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  Consider standing out by doing a bit of pre-interview research about 3 things: 1/ The company's main purpose (why they exist/who they serve.)2/ Who is their #1 competitor?3/ What opportunities exist that they may not be aware of in their market?Then prepare a 3 slide presentation that speaks to how your skills can help them :1/ Continue/Improve service to their clients.2/ Compete with their #1 competitor in new ways.3/ Alert them to those new opportunities to grow.Remember, businesses exist for 1 reason- to make money by serving their clients. By taking the initiative to prepare a short deck to show the company (interviewers) how you can help them do that, you demonstrate that you are a self-starter, and you stand out.

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• Nadene Reid The Diversity Recruiter | Candidate Experience Advocate | Talent Acquisition Partner

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  I always suggest using the STAR method when answering behavioral questions. Situation- what was the issueTask- what needed to be doneActions- what you didResults- how the issue was solvedThis will illustrate to the interviewer that you are capable of success in similar situations as well as your concise communication style.

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• Patricia Cristiano Senior Talent Solutions Manager | Tatum a Randstad Company | BP Financial Fit Certification

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  Research. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company in the interview and the interviewer(s). Tell them what you learned. Did you discover anything that you can improve upon? Showcase your ideas and how you intend to implement them!

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  The self-starter spirit thrives on continuous learning. Showcasing this in your interview goes beyond listing degrees. Briefly mention a recent skill you acquired or course you completed outside of work. This demonstrates your proactive approach to personal growth and a self-starter's drive to stay ahead of the curve. This not only positions you as adaptable but also highlights your commitment to excellence, a key quality for any self-starter.

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  Proving that you're a self-starter in a job interview is crucial, as it demonstrates your initiative, motivation, and ability to take charge of tasks without constant supervision. Here are some strategies to showcase your self-starter qualities:1. Provide examples of projects or tasks you initiated without being prompted.2. Discuss personal or professional achievements that required independent action.3. Highlight instances where you took the initiative to learn or grow.4. Show how you effectively manage time and prioritize tasks without constant supervision.5. Ask insightful questions about the company and role to demonstrate proactive interest.6. Be Confident.

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