How to answer an interview question with a long or short story?

Answer 1

When answering an interview question with a story, make sure the story is relevant. Let's say the question is about your leadership skills. A short - story answer could be 'I led a small team in a volunteer event. I assigned tasks clearly and we achieved our goal.' A long - story answer would be 'I had the opportunity to lead a small team during a volunteer event. There were people from different backgrounds and ages in the team. I started by getting to know everyone's strengths and weaknesses. Then I carefully assigned tasks according to their abilities. During the event, there were some unexpected situations, like a change in the schedule and shortage of some supplies. I remained calm, adjusted the plan on the fly, and motivated the team to keep going. We worked together, overcame all the obstacles, and finally achieved our goal. This experience taught me a lot about leadership, especially about being flexible and understanding the team members' capabilities.

Answer 2

Well, if the interview question is about your teamwork experience. For a short answer in the form of a short story, you might say 'In a group project, my teammate was sick. I took over some of his tasks and we still got a good result.' For a long - story answer, you can start like this 'In a group project once, one of my teammates got really sick right in the middle of it. At first, we were all a bit panicked because he had some crucial parts to do. But then I decided to step up. I quickly went through all his tasks, sorted out what I could handle and what needed others' help. I communicated with the rest of the team, and we redistributed the workload. We worked day and night, constantly communicating and adjusting. In the end, we not only completed the project but also built a stronger bond within the team. It was a great learning experience for all of us about adaptability and mutual support.'

Answer 3

One way is to first understand the essence of the question. If it's a question about your problem - solving ability, for example, 'Tell me about a time when you overcame a difficult challenge at work.' For a short story, you could simply say, 'At my last job, we had a tight deadline for a project. I worked extra hours and streamlined the process to finish on time.' For a long story, you can add more details like 'At my last job, we had a tight deadline for a project. I analyzed the tasks and found some parts that could be done more efficiently. I also coordinated with my team members better. I worked extra hours, not only to complete my part but also to help those who were falling behind. Through these efforts, we not only met the deadline but also got praise from the client.'