Confidence is crucial in any interview. In this lesson, you'll learn how to appear and sound confident to make a strong impression.
You are meeting with a client, but you don't fully know the details of the project; therefore, you are not ready for the meeting. The client asks you for an update on the project. What will you do?
Read the case with your teacher.
THE SITUATION
The Horizon Global Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development, aims to improve access to financial services for underserved populations.
Rural areas in Peru face significant economic challenges, with many residents relying heavily on government assistance programs. However, accessing these benefits is difficult for most, as traditional banking infrastructure is scarce. Beneficiaries often travel long distances to collect their payments from a few government-operated bank branches, leading to considerable time and expense. Additionally, traveling with cash exposes individuals to potential risks, such as theft.
To support rural communities, the Peruvian government operates a large network of stores, AndeMart, consisting of over 18,000 locations. These stores supply basic necessities, including food, clothing, and household goods, to isolated regions. Backed by a system of centralized warehouses and a fleet of delivery vehicles, the AndeMart network ensures consistent service to even the most remote areas.
THE PROBLEM
Horizon Global Foundation wants to know whether AndeMart can serve as a foundation for delivering essential financial services. The initiative would begin by enabling these stores to distribute government benefit payments, reducing reliance on distant bank branches. Over time, the program could expand to include savings accounts, utility bill payment options, microloans, and insurance products, helping to build financial stability and economic opportunities in rural communities. A survey was carried out targeting rural residents across three distinct regions of Peru. Participants were presented with various statements about the idea of collecting their government benefits at their local AndeMart store. They were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with each statement.
THE QUESTION
The average responses to some of the key questions are summarized below for each region. What insights do you draw from this data? How would you interpret the trends?
These tips will help you express yourself with confidence in the interview.
- Showing Confidence
- Especially with math, make reasonable estimations instead of complex calculations.
- Make sure you know how to read numbers properly.
- State assumptions when data is missing instead of hesitating or getting stuck.
- Actions
- Speak louder than you think you need to. Don’t yell, but don’t mumble either.
- Sit up straight and look the interviewer in the eye! Don’t slouch.
- Choose your words wisely. Avoid “maybes” and “perhaps.”
- Use your hands as much as you can. Try to be animated when you talk.
- A Little Extra
- When you have enough data and analysis to support your argument, the last thing to do is give a recommendation. What do you think should be done? What should the next steps be?
- When you have enough data and analysis to support your argument, the last thing to do is give a recommendation. What do you think should be done? What should the next steps be?
Analyze the facts of the case you read. Take everything you learned in the last few lessons and see how far you’ve come!
- Ask questions
- Show curiosity
- Persuade effectively
- Display pure logic
- Analyze
- Show confidence