Relating answers to previous experiences during an interview is a highly effective way to make your responses stand out and bring your CV to life. While your résumé provides the interviewer with a snapshot of your skills and qualifications, it is during the interview that you can demonstrate how those experiences translate into real-world impact. By drawing on examples from past roles, you provide context and depth to your answers, helping the interviewer visualise how you have handled challenges and contributed to previous positions. This not only validates the information on your CV but also allows the employer to see how you operate in different situations.

If interviews were solely about your CV, the process could end at the résumé review stage. However, interviews are designed to assess your personality, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in ways that a CV alone cannot capture. By connecting your answers to personal experiences, you show how you have applied your knowledge and skills in practical settings. This approach gives the interviewer a clearer understanding of how you are likely to perform in the role you are applying for. It is an opportunity to show that you have faced similar challenges before and succeeded, instilling confidence in your abilities.

The strength of this technique is that it allows you to be authentically yourself. No two people will have the same set of experiences, and by speaking to your unique background, you naturally differentiate yourself from other candidates. This personalised storytelling helps you avoid generic or rehearsed responses and makes it easier for the interviewer to remember you. Rather than sounding like anyone else, you present a version of yourself that is distinct, relatable, and grounded in real-world achievements, leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer.

If you’d like to explore this further, get in touch today.