Six principles (“SUCCES”) that can be used to help your ideas “stick” in a job interview - Katey Talbot (Senior, Mechanical Engineering)

Sticky ideas won’t always have all six, but the more, the merrier.

Simple: A single, clear mission.

This is where it is crucial to think about the audience you are talking to.  Think about the level of detail your interviewer will know about when discussing a technical topic.

Unexpected: A man on the moon? It seemed like science fiction at the time.

Interviewers are looking for students who stand out.  Using unique examples from unexpected courses, clubs, leadership experience, and past internships are great ways to break free from the usual overcoming the “tough coursework” example. Interviews are about standing out next to your peers!

Concrete: Clearly defined examples

It is always good to think about situations where you have shown team work, communication, your strengths, your weaknesses, and overcoming a challenging obstacle BEFORE going into an interview.

Credible: Vivid examples, confidence in speaking, and authentic

Gain credibility by telling your story with confidence.  Own it. If you have done any type of work with a professor, company, leadership organization, be sure to mention this in your examples.

Emotional: BE PASSIONATE

They are looking for innovative leaders who are passionate about what they do. Don’t be afraid to show your aspirations and pioneering instincts in an interview. Show them you really want the job!

Story: “Situation Task Action Result”

A lot of interviews are set up with the “STAR” format because they want to hear a beginning middle and end to your “story.”

Be sure to check out more ways to make your ideas stick in the book, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by Chip and Dan Heath.  These “sticky” ideas can be applied to much more than nailing a job interview, definitely a worth-while read!

Heath, Chip, and Dan Heath. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. New York: Random House, 2007. Print.