Demonstrating Value

Making an Impact: Demonstrating Value 🌟

How to show interviewers you’re the superhero they need

The Toolbox Analogy 🧰

Imagine you’re a superhero with a magic toolbox. Inside this toolbox are special tools—some you learned from school, some from past jobs, and some you were just born with. When you go to an interview, you’re basically showing the interviewer what’s inside your toolbox and proving you can use these tools to solve their problems.

Today, we’ll open this toolbox together and see what’s inside!

1. Competency Demonstration 💪

What Is It?

Competencies are things you can DO really well. They’re your superpowers! When you demonstrate competency, you’re proving: “I don’t just know about this—I can actually do it!”

Simple Example

Think about riding a bicycle:

• Knowing about bicycles = You read a book about how bikes work
• Competency = You can actually ride the bike without falling!

How to Show It in an Interview

Use the STAR Method (like a superhero origin story):

Real Example

“At my previous job, our customer emails were piling up (S). I was asked to fix this (T). I created a simple sorting system where urgent emails got answered first (A). Response time dropped from 3 days to 6 hours ®!”

2. Transferable Skills 🔄

What Are They?

These are magic tools that work ANYWHERE—like a universal remote! You learn them in one place, but they help you everywhere.

The Universal Remote Analogy 📺

Imagine you have a remote that works with ANY TV—Samsung, LG, Sony, anything! Transferable skills are just like that. You learn them once, and they work at ANY job.

Top Transferable Skills

graph TD
    A["Transferable Skills"] --> B["🗣️ Communication"]
    A --> C["⏰ Time Management"]
    A --> D["🤝 Teamwork"]
    A --> E["💻 Computer Skills"]
    A --> F["🧩 Problem Solving"]

Examples by Background

How to Talk About It

“From my retail job, I learned to stay calm when 20 customers were waiting. That same calmness helps me handle multiple urgent tasks at once!”

3. Soft Skills Examples 🌈

What Are Soft Skills?

Hard skills = Things you learn from books (math, coding, typing) Soft skills = How you work with PEOPLE (kindness, listening, staying calm)

Think of It Like Ice Cream 🍦

• Hard skills = The ice cream cone (you can measure it, see it)
• Soft skills = The flavor (you experience it, feel it)

Both matter—but soft skills make the whole experience better!

The Essential Soft Skills

Real Interview Answer

“One soft skill I’m proud of is empathy. When a frustrated customer called to complain, instead of getting defensive, I listened to understand WHY they were upset. I said, ‘I hear you—that must have been really frustrating.’ The customer calmed down, and we solved the problem together.”

4. Problem-Solving Showcase 🧩

What Is Problem-Solving?

It’s being a detective AND a builder. First, you figure out what’s wrong. Then, you fix it!

The Leaky Bucket Story 🪣

Imagine you have a bucket that won’t hold water:

1. Find the problem → There’s a hole!
2. Think of solutions → Tape? New bucket? Patch?
3. Pick the best one → Waterproof tape!
4. Do it → Apply the tape
5. Check if it worked → Pour water—no leaks!

This is EXACTLY how problem-solving works at any job.

The Problem-Solving Framework

graph TD
    A["🔍 Identify Problem"] --> B["🤔 Analyze Causes"]
    B --> C["💡 Brainstorm Solutions"]
    C --> D["✅ Choose Best Option"]
    D --> E["🚀 Take Action"]
    E --> F["📊 Review Results"]

Interview Example

“We kept losing files because everyone saved them in different places. I analyzed the problem—no clear system. I brainstormed with the team, then created simple folder rules everyone could follow. After one month, we found files 80% faster!”

5. Collaboration Examples 🤝

What Is Collaboration?

Working together like a sports team. Everyone has a position, everyone passes the ball, and together you score goals!

The Pizza Party Analogy 🍕

Imagine planning a pizza party with friends:

• One person orders the pizza
• Another brings drinks
• Someone else sets up the table
• You pick the music

Nobody does everything, but together—AMAZING PARTY!

Keys to Great Collaboration

Real Interview Story

“During a product launch, I worked with designers, writers, and engineers. I scheduled daily 10-minute check-ins so everyone knew what others were doing. When the designer got sick, I helped adjust the timeline so we could still launch on time. The key was constant communication and flexibility.”

6. Decision-Making Examples 🎯

What Is Decision-Making?

Choosing the BEST path when you have many options. Like being at a crossroads and picking which way to go!

The Restaurant Menu Analogy 🍽️

When you’re hungry at a restaurant:

1. See all options → Read the whole menu
2. Think about constraints → Budget? Allergies? Time?
3. Weigh pros and cons → Burger is tasty but slow; salad is fast but boring
4. Decide → Burger! (It’s worth the wait)
5. Own your choice → No regrets!

The Decision Framework

graph TD
    A["📋 Gather Information"] --> B["⚖️ Weigh Options"]
    B --> C["🎯 Consider Impact"]
    C --> D["✨ Make the Call"]
    D --> E["📈 Learn & Adjust"]

Types of Workplace Decisions

Interview Example

“We had two vendors—one cheaper, one faster. I made a spreadsheet comparing cost, speed, and quality. I also asked the team which mattered most for our deadline. We chose the faster vendor because missing the deadline would cost us more than the price difference.”

Putting It All Together 🎁

Your interview toolbox is NOW FULL:

Your Confidence Boost 🚀

Remember: Every experience you’ve had—school, jobs, hobbies, even helping at home—has given you tools. The interview is just your chance to SHOW them.

You’re not asking for a favor. You’re offering VALUE.

And now you know exactly how to prove it.

Go get that dream job! ✨