Challenges

No one ever said that life would be easy. It's full of challenges and obstacles that we have to overcome. But that's okay! Because every one of those challenges makes us stronger, smarter, and more resilient. And that's what employers are looking for nowadays.

So when you go in for your following job interview, emphasize how you turned a challenging situation into an opportunity. For example, maybe you had to work under tight deadlines or manage a difficult team member. Whatever it was, explain how you made the most of the situation and achieved excellent results.

Another aspect of challenges is that suffering and being busy are standard states of the mind and an opportunity to cry over them. Avoid it and discuss how you deconstruct big and scary problems into tiny and easy tasks.

The interviewer will be impressed by your resilience and problem-solving skills, which are essential in any workplace. So don't be afraid to discuss your most demanding challenges; employers want individuals who can thrive in any situation!

Feedback

At a job interview, the interviewer asked me, "What critical feedback do you often receive?" When I was younger, my most extensive critique was that I talked too much. My teachers would tell me to let others have a turn. And my parents would say the same thing to me. However, it wasn't until later in life that I realized how much of a gift it is to talk and connect with people.

Now, I ensure that when I'm talking with someone, I listen to them. I take time to understand others' perspectives and what they're saying. And I make sure not to interrupt them. It's been a work in progress, but this change in my behaviour has helped me build better relationships with the people around me.

We get a lot of feedback every day - well intended or not. Focus on listening to these carefully, consider them, and build them into your character if you find them useful. However, never question your intention and your core values. Feedback is someone else’s subjective point of view from the context of the other that may not be compatible with your context.

When it comes up during an interview, tell and practise that you listen to any feedback and adopt what helps you grow and learn.

Stress

No one enjoys feeling stressed out at work, but it's a reality of many jobs. Employers want to know that you'll constructively handle stress with a good attitude. I can tell them that I typically respond to stress by trying to take some time for myself to clear my head. For example, after a tough meeting where I felt like I didn't quite get my point across, I'll walk outside to clear my mind and return fresh. That way, I can approach the next meeting with a new perspective and be more successful.

Take a step back and analyze the situation. Ask yourself what's causing the stress and how you can address it. For example, if I'm feeling overwhelmed with a project at work, I'll break it down into smaller tasks that I can complete individually.

Suppose the company is unwilling to accept that one of the best ways to manage stress is not pushing through, but the opposite and that vulnerability is a value, not a weakness. That is not your place to go because you will get unmanageable stress without support.