How to Present a Vision for the Future in Interviews

Most professionals prepare for interviews by focusing entirely on their past.  Experience. Achievements. Results.   And yes, those things matter. But they’re only half the story.   In my latest Control Your Career episode with recruiter Orlando Haynes 🎙️, we talked about a critical (and often forgotten) element of interviewing: ✨ Your potential.   Too many candidates stop at “what I’ve done.” The standout ones connect it to “what I’m capable of next.”   This shift in language can change how hiring managers see you, not just as someone who checks boxes, but as someone who’s ready to grow, lead, and make a future impact.   Try this in your next interview: → Instead of only explaining what you have done, add what you’re ready to do next → Use forward-looking language: “In a role like this, I would…” or “Building on my experience, I’d bring…” → Tie your past success to the company's future goals   💥 Confidence in your capability, not just your history, is what sets you apart.   📺 Watch or Listen 🎧 👉 https://lnkd.in/ggMZvExg   #InterviewTips #JobSearch #podcast

We all see it - it's an employer's hiring market. Job descriptions are wish lists. Increased interview steps. Here's what job seekers should do ↓ Anytime managers start looking for perfection (which we know doesn't exist), I recommend shifting some percentage of your stories to emphasize leadership potential. In addition to convincing hiring teams you're qualified and can do the job, it doesn't hurt to sell them on your "potential" Proven ROI is foundational, yes. But help them understand what you're capable of in the future. Here are the top 'leadership potential' characteristics that I recommend infusing: 1. Critical Thinking – Ability to analyze problems and make sound decisions. 2. Communication Skills – Clear, concise, and effective communication across all levels. 3. Emotional Intelligence – Awareness of their own emotions and sensitivity to others. 4. Accountability – Takes ownership of outcomes and learns from mistakes. 5. Adaptability – Stays flexible and productive in changing environments. 6. Initiative – Proactively identifies opportunities and takes action without waiting to be told. 7. Collaboration – Works well with others, builds trust, and fosters team cohesion. 8. Influence – Can motivate and inspire people without relying on authority alone. 9. Resilience – Handles setbacks with a positive mindset and keeps moving forward. 10. Vision – Sees the bigger picture and aligns daily work with long-term goals. Here's an example of what this might sound like in an actual interview... "In my last role as a project manager at a tech company, I noticed that while teams were hitting targets, customer churn kept rising. Instead of treating it as just a customer success issue, I proposed a cross-functional task force to analyze the entire customer journey. We uncovered gaps between sales promises and product delivery. I led a plan to better align our product roadmap with customer feedback and launched a new onboarding program. Within a year, churn dropped 15 percent, and referrals grew significantly. This showed me that vision isn’t just big ideas—it’s about seeing connections others miss and uniting people around solutions." Simple yet effective. What traits would you add to this list?

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬? This question is standard when talking to people about their career goals. Yet I’ve received feedback from many individuals that dislike being put on the spot with this inquiry. In fairness though, it is not a bad question. Normally, it is utilized to help individuals create a framework for themselves that can be shared with others in the context of career development. So, the key is to leverage this question in a way that aids you in that dialog. The four key elements are 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦, and 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. Knowing that you will likely be faced with this conversation, reflect ahead of time on your long-term goals. Integrate consideration of your career, desired personal growth, relationships, and other aspects of your life that are important to you. Think carefully about how you can synthesize and share your thinking in a clear and concise manner. Be honest about your aspirations. No one is fully in control of their destiny but be open to speaking to what you are passionate about and where you hope those passions and interests will lead you. Be capable of explaining the ‘why’ of your interests as opposed to just the ‘what.’ Engage others in the discussion and let them know how they might be able to help. Demonstrate optimism about the possibilities. Even if you are currently facing challenges, express your hope and confidence in your ability to overcome them to achieve your goals. Successful individuals all share one key trait - the belief that they are going to thrive. Acknowledge the need for flexibility. This is where I’ve seen people get hung up in this conversation when they consider that their plans or circumstances might change. Note your vision but also reflect a willingness to be adaptable. There is nothing wrong with having a plan that is subject to change given opportunity and personal growth. Don't get stuck at the starting line pondering the possibilities. Even if you never face this question (unlikely), consideration of your future in a way that builds clarity for yourself, and others is essential. Otherwise, your journey will be one of decisions made in a reactive as opposed to proactive manner. Digging deep and challenging yourself on your ‘Why’ will give you clarity during those moments and give you a greater sense of confidence in your path and your choices. #growth #journey #optimisim