Most university students are absolutely terrified at interviews.
I mean cringe-worthy terrified.
Last week at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, I watched a room full of soon-to-be graduates struggle when asked to describe their accimplishments.
But here’s the thing – it’s not entirely their fault.
The whole system of traditional interview prep is broken.
Think about it – when was the last time you were captivated by someone listing their accomplishments?
Probably never.
But a good story?
That’s different.
That’s what really gets people leaning in and listening.
Last week, I had the opportunity to deliver a workshop to a group of University of Toronto, Mississauga students on two essential career skills: workplace communication and interviewing techniques
So we played around with this simple but powerful idea: instead of saying “I’m a great team player” (yawn), why not share that time you helped your project team turn things around when everything was going sideways?
It’s the difference between telling and showing, and it works like magic in interviews.
Here’s the cool framework we used (it’s called CAR, but don’t worry about the acronym):
Start with the challenge you faced
Talk about what you actually did about it
Share how it all turned out
The best part?
Watching these students light up when they realized they all had stories worth telling.
Whether it was from their part-time jobs, volunteer work, or group projects, everyone had moments that showed their true potential.
By the end of the workshop, these students weren’t just ready with interview techniques – they were ready to share their experiences in ways that would make recruiters remember them.
As a career coach, seeing these professionals grow is amazing.
Remember: tell your story with confidence – it’s your secret power to getting hired.
So next time you’re in an interview, don’t just answer questions – tell your story.
Trust me, it works.
