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90 COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 47. Tell me about a time when you leveraged your past ex-

perience to advance your career.

Situation: After years of teaching biology to ninth-grade students, I

wanted to change gears and be a teacher consultant, a position in which I
would train high school educators on how to include the ideas in current sci-
ence textbooks in their lesson plans.

Action: I contacted a friend who was a textbook sales representative

and asked whether he could serve as a reference, using his affiliation with his
employer, Advanced Books. Because of our longstanding friendship, he
agreed to vouch for my qualifications.

Result: As a result of my experience and his recommendation, I was

offered a train-the-trainer position. And that is how I began my career in
coaching and mentoring teachers.

Question 48. Give an example of how you put the company’s needs

ahead of your career goals.

Obstacle: Because of financial reasons, the Merit Company down-

sized several departments. Afraid that their positions were in jeopardy, many
co-workers embarked on job searches. Ultimately, a third of them offered their
resignations within three months.

Action: On the other hand, I reaffirmed my commitment to the organiza-

tion, and instead of looking for a new opportunity, I concentrated my efforts on
ensuring that the company stayed afloat. This meant that I managed my tasks
as well as took over the work of ex-employees. Without protesting, I tackled
each assignment, bringing work home and working overtime when necessary.

Result: Though upper management continued its layoff efforts, my

dedication to the company was recognized and I never received a pink slip.
In fact, I survived several downsizing cycles. It was a bumpy few years, but
the company made it through its economic crisis.

Question 49. Tell me about a time when you assumed a position or

took on a task that was below your experience because you knew it would
lead to better opportunities.

Situation: Though I had many years’ experience running a small

catering company, I was excited to learn of an opportunity to be a prep cook
for the well-known organization Delectable Catering. Knowing that I would

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