An often-overlooked approach to gaining insight and reaching your career goals is to understand what problems need to be solved. When people are looking for a job, interviewing or even researching possibilities, we often find that folks concentrate on what they are going to say – sometimes to the point where they are unable to be present in the moment.
We invite you to try a different approach, practice a new strategy. First of all, listen closely in the discussion whether it’s with an individual, a panel or even in a written communication, for what the problems are – those that are overt and those that are underlying. Ask yourself, what challenge does this individual or organization face in the future? What are they trying to “solve?” Get a feel for their problems and then reflect on your talents and abilities and how you can be a “solution” to the problem. Remember, every person you talk to has some issue or problem they are trying to solve. Learn what those issues are and you have a direct means for demonstrating your value; sharing how you can make the difference; and showing how you can be a solution for the problems they face.