This usually comes near the end, when the panel has heard your examples and wants a summary it can write on the scoring sheet. It is the panel handing you their job for one minute: match this candidate to the advert. Candidates who answer with adjectives (“hardworking, honest, fast learner”) or with need (“please give me a chance”) score low, not because the panel is unkind but because there is nothing to tick.
- 1Before the interview, pick the three requirements the advert lists first or repeats most. Those are the heaviest lines on the scoring sheet.
- 2For each one, prepare one proof: what you did, where, and a number. Not “I have reporting experience” but “I delivered 24 monthly reports on time”.
- 3Add one thing that makes you different and useful to them: you speak the local dialect of the field area, you know the district's committees, you can start on Monday, you already use their software.
- 4Say it in that order: “You need A, B and C. I have done A… B… C… In addition, I…” Then stop. Confidence is a short, complete answer.
Your advert asks for three things: [A], [B] and [C]. On [A], I [did what, where, number]. On [B], I [did what, number]. On [C], I [did what, result]. One more thing I bring is [local knowledge / language / availability / tool], which means I can [benefit to them] from the first week.- Do not compare yourself with the other candidates. You have not met them, and “I am better than the others” sounds arrogant to a Somali panel and to an international one.
- Do not beg. “I really need this” and “please give me a chance” move the panel from scoring to pity, and pity does not get written on the sheet.
- Do not repeat adjectives. If you must use a word like “reliable”, follow it immediately with the fact that proves it.