Simon Sineck’s Golden Circles and Your Career Development

Sample of a What-driven

• My name is Allison Carver and I s
I’ve helped companies of all sizes
over 15 years.

• My attention to detail and aptitu
allowed me to consistently comp
budget. I help companies have a
and long-term goals and how the

• The greatest asset I provide is im
budgets and completion. No one
time to reach their strategic goal
have to.

n Elevator Pitch…

specialize in Project Management.
s deliver on their strategic plans for
ude for structure and planning has
plete projects on time and on
better understanding of their short
ey can reach those more efficiently.
mproved predictability for project
e likes to spend excessive money or
ls and I help ensure that they don’t

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Sample of a Why-driven ele

Start with Why – A story or a statement tha
and what I am working toward:

I believe that everyone has an amazing capacity t
someone by our side, watching our backs and hel
actually done. My name is Allison Carver and I’m

Follow with a problem, situation or issue I’m

For over 15 years my ability to build structure, pro
become better and better and better. A huge key
organizational skills. Because I’m highly organized
parts quite easily, which reduces the stress of my
really good at.

End with the kind of opportunity I’m lookin

If we’re not moving forward, we’re moving backw
team that will push me to get even better. All tha
I will continue to learn goes to the person or com

evator pitch…

at communicates what I believe/who I am,

to achieve something great. If only we had
lping us get the things we want to get done,
the Lieutenant every General wishes they had.

m really good at making better:

ovide support and to advocate for others has
to my success in supporting others is my
d, I can manage projects with lots of moving
colleagues and allows them to do what they’re

ng for:

wards. I’m up for a challenge. I’m looking for a
at I have learned, all that I can contribute and all
mpany whose vision inspires me.

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Suggestions for Why Inte

First of all, research, research, re
An interview is like a date. Don’t
who you’re sitting across the tabl
take some time to research the c
person who will be interviewing y

erviews…

esearch:
you want to know a little about
le from? Before the interview,
company and, if possible, the
you.

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Suggestions for Why Inte

A. Start with Why:

Sample question 1: Tell me something about y
Instead of talking about where you’re from or
your last vacation, use the opportunity to tell y
story that provides some flavor of who you rea
from your childhood or something you do outs
especially if it embodies something you love to

Sample question 2: Why are you interested in
This is a trick question. It’s not really a questio
about you. What they really want to know is, w
work they do that inspires you? Though you ar
telling them about yourself.

Sample question 3: Where do you see yoursel
Happy. In a place where I can do what I love pe
working with people I care about and who care
want?

erviews (1)…

yourself.
where you took
your interviewer a
ally are. Tell a story
side of work,
o do.
n working here?
on about them, it’s a question
what is it about them or the
re talking about them, you’re

lf in five years?
ersonally and professionally;
e about me. Isn’t that what we all

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Suggestions for Why Inte

B. Be Honest
Sometimes we feel we need to co
insecurities by exaggerating our a
accomplishments. Ironically, truly
are much more powerful. Be hon
work history and your past salary

C. What are your weaknesses?
Answer with a strength: I’ve learn
in teams. When I have others to b
accountable to, I’m at my best. I f
I work alone.

erviews (2)…

over our
achievements and
y honest answers
nest about your
y.

ned that I need to work
brainstorm with and be
find that I struggle when

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Suggestions for Why Inte

D. Interview the Interviewers to
To help you learn how to determ
you during an interview, think of
define and reveal the corporate c
how you feel about working ther
in Gladstone’s Book, Click. Sampl

– Question: How are employees e
– Question: Describe the attribute

successful here.
– Question: How does the compa

erviews (3)…

Determine Fit
mine if a company’s a good fit for

questions and answers that will
culture and help you determine
re. This is the Click factor defined
le questions:

evaluated?
es of an employee that’s considered
any handle mistakes?

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Suggestions for Why Inte

E. Listen for Clues

• Do you really want to work in thi
• Look for culture match

F. Your thank you note

• A sincere expression of gratitude
• A brief recap of your understandi

challenges (showing that you liste
fill those needs
• End with Why: one or two strong
and what you can contribute.

G. Ask for feedback on how you

erviews (4)…

is culture?

e for the interview
ing of the company’s needs and/or
ened) followed by a how you can
g sentences to explain who you are

interviewed

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Suggestions for Why Interv

On the ride home after your interview,
so give it some direction! Ask yourself

• Did I give some sense of who I am?
• Did my passion for who they are come thr
• Did they see how I can contribute to what
• Does this job feel like a good fit?
• Can I imagine working there and being hap
• Did I say things that were consistent with
• Did I provide good examples that demonst
• What do I want to do differently next time
• Did I like the individuals that I met? Were
• Did I feel the interviewer was open and ho

they saw the value of what I have to offer?
• Will I take this job if they offer it to me?
• Do I have follow-up questions I’d ask if the
• Can I imagine working there for a long tim

views (5)…

, your mind may replay how it went,
these questions.

rough?
t they do?

ppy?
my resume and cover letter?
strate who I am and what I’m capable of?
e?
there any red flags?
onest? Did I feel that they “got me”; that
?

ey call me back and offer me the job?
me?

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In Summary, Simon show

Simon’s Inside out approach to th

to analyze ourselves and to prese

powerful way as we find jobs and
• Why Differentiates
• Builds trust in ourselves
• Gets us to where we are happ
• Best fit: Highest and best use o
• Most authentic way to presen
• Matches us with the culture o

Finally, Simon asks us “Do you w
your job?”

ws us a new way…

he Golden Circles gives us a way
ent ourselves in a new and more
d build our careers

piest
of our skills and personality
nt ourselves
of the organization

want to like your job or love

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