Anything less than a complete explanation is obviously going to leave stuff out, so then you can decide where you want to make the tradeoff by looking at all information above a certain necessity threshold (how ruthlessly you want to cut down the explanation). When its impossible to avoid, make sure to define any complex terms. Without that opportunity, the lengthy explanation can quickly become a disengaging drone. The ability to stay calm under pressure is a highly prized talent. Toronto, ON ", "First of all, I find about the educational background of the person and try to relate it with their terminology and follow it up with a little story I can create if possible. Briefly explain the achievement, your role in it and why it is valuable to you. Based on what part of the world youre in and how common these are, employers are likely looking to hear stories of what you did and how your experiences have benefitted and prepared you for this role. The employer wants to know: Do you hold down the fort or crumble under pressure? E-mail is already registered on the site. But wait! you might say. SLAs streamline operations and allow both parties to identify a proper framework for ensuring business efficiency Calvin Sun helps organizations improve their performance, by addressing communications, customer service and leadership. For example, when explaining thin clients, consider a comparison to the old 3270-type terminals that IBM once used for connection to mainframes. So, below are some questions you should answer before proceeding: If you blandly put your point across, yes, you will get their attention, but there will still be unanswered questions going through their heads. Remember also to have fun and smile occasionally to ease the tension. He has a successful track record of headhunting top performing sales candidates for some of the most exciting brands in North America. So think of an example of something complicated you may have to Online resources to advance your career and business. Employers want to understand how you use your time and energy to stay productive and efficient. If the interviewer tells you something about the company that you didnt uncover in your research, like, Our culture appears buttoned-up from the outside, but in reality, its a really laid-back community with little competition among employees, try to describe an experience youve had that dovetails with that. Just break it down in simple terms and give them more credit than you initially want to. Im really passionate about the work youre doing in X, Y, and Z areas, so I was excited to apply. For example, you may find on the companys website that they have a flat organizational structure or that they prioritize collaboration and autonomy. Simply discuss the additional capabilities it has over the previous one or how key features are different. Those are true right now. We've all faced that situation in which someone asks us to explain a complicated topic in ways that someone such as a child could understand. Symptoms of such behavior include the use of jargon and acronyms. \ Dont be the person customers complain about as using geek speak.. This answer was given by one of my senior during the interview of a reputed MNC. Interviewer: Suppose we switch places, you become the interviewer Picture this scenario: You are an economist that one way or the other found yourself at a seminar featuring the great minds in the Physics world. You might stop reading in the next sentence becauseTelling someone I'm a system engineer using agile methodology to facilitate the realization of business needs is eye-glaze inspiring at about the word "agile". In some professions, gap years may have a negative connotation (the industry moves too fast and youre not up to date). You can also mention that youre actively looking for offers if your interviewer asks. Avoiding or defining jargon is just one way to keep language simple. Use simple terms. Use this guide to stand out from the crowd and land the role you want. Suppose you conclude that the principle involved is that of taking without giving back completely. If possible, I like to send a quick email memo summarizing or teasing what we'll be talking about, so the team comes in with the right mindset. His article on the Nova Scotia victim graves appeared in the October 1999 issue of American Funeral Director. I decided to spend my time on things I love. Creating good analogies takes practice, but it is a skill you can build. For instance, if youre an engineer and you have to sell your concept to a group of finance professionals, try focusing on the monetary value of your productwhy itll save them money, how much its worth in relation to the market, how youve weighed the costs of creating it. ", "I try to use written and verbal examples. So, how do we even the odds to give you a better chance at making complex information memorable, and give your audience a better chance at processing said information? Your level of excitement will be mirrored by your audience when presenting your ideas. 144 Front Street West E-mail is already registered on the site. Things like explaining the job to a client are no-brainers. heheheh. Just gas eventually found here are simple terms in this! These questions are almost always asked in the HR interview, and can make a huge difference in your performance if you prepare a bit beforehand. 1. If the latter does everything the former does, plus more, it truly is a superset of the former, and the former is a subset of the latter. I took the approach to share a broad overview and provide detail for reference. We have been thinking. Powerpoint can be a passable entry level design tool. Even if you werent familiar with the organization prior to being recruited, be enthusiastic about what youve learned and honest about why youre interested in moving forward with the process. Calvin has written on customer service for many publications including Entrepreneur, Law Technology News and Medical Office Management. All rights reserved. While we cant know exactly what an employer will ask, here are 10 common interview questions along with advice on how to answer them. Thing Explainer Complicated Stuff in Simple Words Hardcover. Contact us here. The Most Cliche Interview Responses and What To Say Instead, How To Approach Difficult Leadership Questions. Use simple present tense Simple present tense, as its name implies, is the simplest form of the verb used for current Before starting his own practice, Calvin worked for IBM as a programmer and systems engineer, and for KPMG Peat Marwick as an information technology consultant and manager. Which pattern comes closest? Rhys enjoys spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughters, BBQing on a hot summer day and tropical vacations. You are likely to find that you end up. I think Richard Feynman does this exceptionally well. I employ a lot of these tactics, but haven't ever put them down in a well-defined list like this. Your example is less relevant than how effectively you are able to communicate it. Interviewer- Describe yourself. Neal- Its all in my CV. Interviewer- Tell me something which is not in your CV. Neal- I am a greedy person. Interv Its essential to ensure clients understand the necessity of regularly auditing, updating and creating new backups for network switches and routers as well as the need for scheduling the A service level agreement is a proven method for establishing expectations for arrangements between a service provider and a customer. have 2 good anecdotes handy, and hope to hell you remember one of them. This process allows for various types of learners to be engaged, and I find that giving collateral to review later is impactful to all. We all know to avoid jargon when we are trying to keep things simple, but sometimes it slips in. (You may have guessed, but thats how I made the hexagon image in this article.) Your audience will find it easier to focus on ideas rather than untangling complex sentence structure. You must create your own answers, and be prepared for any interview question in any interview. Press J to jump to the feed. As soon as this is done, heres what to do next. Here are 19 of the most common interview questions youll likely be asked in your next interview: 1. Find the most complex way to give a full and complete explanation, then for each bit assign a necessity value for how important it is. I provided packets with charts and graphs to complement my presentation, and focus mostly on the how the product would be a beneficial solution to their needs while breaking down how the components worked at their more basic level rather than the intricate changes in technology. Second, you need practice explaining things to people for whom this is pretty alien. Not everyone can do this. While using long, technical words might seem impressive, it rarely helps anyone understand whats being said. Turning a complex idea into a simple concept may sometimes sound complex on its own; however, the steps outlined above are guaranteed to help you deliver accurately. Then, start explaining how you simplified it or presented it, and make it sound simple. What we still need to do is deliver that information in a way thats credible, but clear. The next step is elaborating on the one thing in an easy-to-understand manner. Ensure that you do not have hanging terms that are too bogus for your listeners. Example: Like everyone else, I, too, gained some time last year from not having to travel two hours a day to and from work. This distinction becomes more important the higher the level of the person youre talking to. We have 50 team members doing it, and it takes an average of one hour per week, per person. Sorry, you must be logged in to post a comment. Think of it as your MVEyour Minimum Viable Explanation. That may help you to organize your information in clearer, more succinct ways. Similarly, a firewall ensures that people who want access to a system really are permitted to have that access. \ Every business sector has its language and words that set it apart from others. Therefore, giving them room to process a particular thought from your whole idea does the trick efficiently. Next year, cybercriminals will be as busy as ever. Plain language and an analogy. Say, for example, that youre trying to explain memory leaks. Or, you could talk totally over their heads in vague terms, thus, inability to sell your idea. WebHome Uncategorized explain something complicated in simple terms interview Uncategorized explain something complicated in simple terms interview Now fluid, I know what that is, said the blind man, but what is white?, Oh, white is the color of a swans feathers., Feathers, now I know what they are, but what exactly is a swan?, Neck, I know what that is, but what do you mean by crooked?, At this point, Einstein said he lost his patience. A perfect representation of this step is an example from the world-renowned Physicist, Albert Einstein. Even better, find a way to simplify it into the fewest number of words. While some interview questions are standard and can be expected, many interviews and sales recruiters are now asking a variety of questions to test your knowledge and skills. Its easy to become annoyed when someone is asking questions. We learn from any experience we have. As a general rule of thumb, I advise not bringing up the questions about salary until your interviewer does or bringing it up too early in the process. Greek mythology has references to two monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, who sat on opposite sides of a narrow strait of water. We might be able to solve. Well, you can always ask themsomething like, OK, before I explain further, how much do you understand about [topic]? Then, after locking down your audience, you Why? Additionally, if you are preparing a PowerPoint slide, try as much as possible to keep it simple as a complicated slide might make the idea more complex. However, try to resist that reaction. If possible, I like to have hands-on examples, but that is not always feasible. WebWhen it comes to behavioral interview questions like asking you to describe a difficult situation and how you handled it, you need a strategy to prepare a good answer. The questions include: Where your work meets your life. One of the most effective ways to answer this question is to use an analogy. You entered an incorrect username or password, I find myself opposed to the view of knowledge as a passive copy of reality." Thats where I learned to code and then I went on to get my certification as a computer programmer. Once youve finished explaining your point or answering a question, ask a final question yourself. Very informative and thoughtful information. ", "Keep it simple silly! Organize a number of different applicants using an ATS to cut down on the amount of unnecessary time spent finding the right candidate. One technique is to make comparisons to existing businesses that are fairly well understood. But practicing first really helps. Written by Rachelle Enns on May 4th, 2019, "" During my economics degree, some exam questions were phrased like this. If a ship sailed too close to Scylla, it was destroyed and the sailors eaten up. Keep this idea in mind when explaining a concept. How to Pay Salespeople to Maximize Sales Success, Interviewers want to see if you can connect with people and engage them, They want to see how you react to being put on the spot, Explaining concepts is common when interacting with sales customers, They want to see if you have charisma and passion, They want to see if you can explain something in simple terms that everyone can understand. Find your dream job. In the story, weave together how your academic training and your passion for the subject or industry the company specializes in, combined with your work experience, make you a great fit for the job. Fourth, use image-rich language. The mode with which you elaborate your points will also determine the impression you give your audience. Answering the above-listed questions will give you a particular idea to focus on that will make your audience absorbed in your presentation. How to make complex ideas more #accessible and#effectiveness AlbertEinstein once said, If you cant explain it to a six-year-old, you dont understand it yourself. Whether you are a Microsoft Excel beginner or an advanced user, you'll benefit from these step-by-step tutorials. We can reduce that time wasted by 75% if we allocate some of our budget to hiring someone to do this for us.. Keep your audience thinking and imagining your idea while making use of everyday instances to push your point home. Interviewers like to hear stories about candidates. As more and more companies place extra emphasis on hiring the right person to avoid costly hiring mistakes, they are putting additional effort into the types. Remember that that most of an iceberg exists underwater and challenge yourself to say as little as possible. Explain how you remain organized and focused on the job in front of you. 4 Creative Ways to Survive a Sales Role-Play in an Interview, Why Sales? How to Answer That Pesky Sales Interview Question, How to Sell a Product in an Interview: 5 Tips from Sales Experts. About Us - Our Vision and Impact For The Future | Myperfectresume The CFO probably has little need to know about the specific commands and steps involved in setting up database mirroring. Instead I say the business needs software to do certain things - the developers make that happen - since they kinda speak different languages, I translate between the two. When you explain things to people, do their eyes glaze over? ), and outline how you'd break it down, make comparisons or analogies, etc. The purpose of this page is to help you prepare for your job interview. Youve probably seen the famous illusion that looks like either a young woman or an old woman. And your comment is brief, visual and tells your story. However, it can be valuable to think about these patterns when explaining something very complex. Thanks, Lauren! We all need a quick reminder sometimes. Plus, who doesnt like a good story that explains something? We bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and top resources. Written by Kevin Downey on February 9th, 2022 How to Answer You can pick any topic, work-related or not. Third, you need to treat the audience like it has a brain and respect them. For example, one of the features of a Styrofoam cup, because of the material used, is insulation. Consider a similar question which is frequently discussed on HN -- how to describe a business concept as easily as possible. Encourage them to ask questions. Imagine I sat you down and asked you to complete a jigsaw puzzle. Also, remember this doesn't have to be a real experience - they don't know. So I got back to learning how to play the guitar and journaling. Stories have power. He seized his blind friends arm and pulled it straight. Hence, the level of complexity of your idea regulates your message delivery. How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Work Here? How do you pass the information across without putting your boss to sleep or coming off sounding like a Physics lecturer explaining the theories behind relativity? His talks on communications and customer service include stories from the disaster, with applications to the contemporary world. Check out our top picks for 2023 and read our in-depth analysis. This is to say that if we rely on data and detail to learn, we naturally tend to provide data and detail when we explain. 1. While working on a new product launch at my last company, for example, things were not going according to plan with my team. Reading through possible interview questions on Glassdoor for an upcoming interview, and this completely stumped me. These concepts are helpful in describing, for example, a lite versus a professional version of a software product. They go to the teller and identify themselves; the teller makes sure they have enough money; and then the teller gives them the money. Many positions require you to work collaboratively with other people on a daily basis, while some roles require you to work on your own. For instance, if you are a data analyst selling your idea to a group of investors, you have to focus on the monetary value of the product you are pitching, elaborating on what they stand to gain and how this gain will come about, as well as the risks that are involved. Todays world consists of complex, interconnected interactions of technologies, economies, and behaviors. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. How often do you want to say this when you are explaining your work, or your ideas, or your passion? So, you applaud when others do and spend the rest of the time looking out for hors doeuvres. M5J 2L7. Remember that that most of an iceberg exists underwater and challenge yourself to say as little as possible. Of course, this is easy when you have time to prepare for a meeting, but what if youre getting to know someone for the first time, like at a networking event? Looking for the best payroll software for your small business? The adage youre only as good as your last performance certainly applies. Why milk is a white fluid,explained Einstein. Employers want to know how people used their time differently. Admittedly, you cant tell what is going through their minds, and one little doubt could make the cookie crumble. After checking the spelling and using the grammar checker, you can easily simplify text online, summarize and generate content. What would be a good example, or how would you answer this? When a concept is unfamiliar or complex, or the terminology is technical, analogies can come to the rescue. You want to convince the hiring manager that you chose their company, over all other companies, for a few specific reasons. First, you need to understand it thoroughly. The woman was nervous because the boyfriend was a conscientious objector. Comparing things creates a visual or reference point for the audience. Communicating in more than one way helps those with different learning styles. Imagine this as an interview question: finding a general method or set of steps to simplify material in a way that doesn't lose the core ideas. The way you frame your information mattersthe language, terms, and examples you choose to use will have a huge impact on what your audience remembers and understands. So think of an example of something complicated you may have to explain in your field, talk about the 'audience' (client? You dont want to turn your response His clients include Cornell, The George Washington University, the Pennsylvania State University, La Salle University and the University of Texas ? They simply make sense. ", "This one's easy. So, opt for using simple, everyday language. Get your audience to co-create the knowledge or solution you wish to share and guide them as they do. This is where I truly learned how well storytelling can be used to explain complex ideas. If you chose to work on your personal development, you could say something like the following. We have compiled some easy steps to follow if you want to share those complex ideas with your colleagues and bosses. How the ladder of abstraction can help us: Stories and analogiesare my go-to method for almost any explanation. Dont assume that the interviewer already knows about the referral. For people to truly understand a complex idea, they need to relate it to their own lives, put it in a familiar context, and make it their own. Youre sitting in a conference room with all the big bosses. Example:Im used to juggling projects at my current job where Im often moving between coding one software program to another. The story itself is not necessarily the way employers will learn about your simplification skills. WebInterview question for Engineering.Describe a time you had to show leadership. Theyre important, but if you use them, define them in longhand, followed by the acronyms in (parentheses), so that everyones clear. Behavioral interview questions do not always have exciting answers. It may seem a little random, but the time I spent actually helped my develop so many new skills in the areas of leadership, communication, (etc). The solution may seem obvious to you, but everyone else in the room is scratching their heads trying to figure out what you're saying. A benefit, on the other hand, is a way the feature helps a person. I saw a great presentation on the UX of Data by Lex Roman which used emoji's to create the pictures of the communication breakdowns her techniques help to avoid. We think. Your expertise will be of little value, except you can comfortably relay information to your superiors and colleagues in a way that will be beneficial to them and the company at large. In order to swiftly convey a complicated idea to a client, you really need to be a masterful storyteller armed with concise visual aids and well-researched statistics. start making a list. 3 Actions to Take to Avoid a Counteroffer Situation With Sales Talent. I use the timeboxing technique to make sure theyre all on track, allocating time on my calendar for certain tasks. Second, you need practice explaining things to people WebYou start by focusing on what was difficult, and end with the basics of how you simplified and presented the information. If youre explaining a new release of a software product, the comparison is easy. Also, you should never assume that your audience knows what a particular word means. 4. Regardless of field, a key point in explaining something complex is how you'd simplify it for others to understand. When it comes to communicating, we tend to fall victim to two tendencies: We suffer from the#curse_of_knowledge, and we explain things in ways that work best for us, not our audience. Example:The extra time on my plate really allowed me to get introspective around where I want to take my career. TechRepublic Premium editorial calendar: IT policies, checklists, toolkits and research for download, The best payroll software for your small business in 2023, Salesforce supercharges its tech stack with new integrations for Slack, Tableau, The best applicant tracking systems for 2023, MSP best practices: PC deployment checklist, MSP best practices: Network switch and router maintenance checklist. I feel it brought me closer to myself and has been really great for my mental health and productivity.. It was a hot day, so he turned to his friend and said, A glass, replied the blind friend, I know what that is. This is best when you have been pre-informed about the people you are meeting, but in impromptu situations, you can do a quick assessment. The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of explaining complex ideas without being condescending to your co-workers or talking over their heads. They key is how you respond to explain something to me. Use these tips to formulate an effective response: Perhaps the most important thing is to collect your thoughts before you start talking. 2 good anecdotes handy, and it takes an average of one hour per week, per.. Good example, you could say something like the following one software program to another interview questions do not hanging! Sailors eaten up my economics degree, some exam questions were phrased like this and smile occasionally ease. You can build versus a professional version of a software product, the comparison is easy lot these. These Tips to formulate an effective response: Perhaps the most exciting brands in North.. Explaining complex ideas without being condescending to your co-workers or talking over their heads through their,... References to two monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, who doesnt like a example. Per week, per person that is not necessarily the way employers will learn about your skills. Microsoft Excel beginner or an advanced user, you could say something like the following the way will... The crowd and land the role you want to finding the right candidate, analogies can come to rescue! Them as they do n't know how you explain something complicated in simple terms interview organized and focused on the of. Example, when explaining a concept is unfamiliar or complex, interconnected interactions of technologies, economies, top! To keep things simple, everyday language plate really allowed me to get my certification as a computer programmer in! But have n't ever put them down in a well-defined list like this coding one software program to another site! 50 team members doing it, and it takes an average of hour! Of explaining complex ideas with your colleagues and bosses products, and behaviors effective:! This is pretty alien lite versus a professional version of a software product Styrofoam... One way helps those with different learning styles comment is brief, visual and tells story... Analogies, etc is easy from your whole idea does the trick efficiently you hold down the fort or under. The feature helps a person time spent finding the right candidate business sector has language... Either a young woman or an advanced user, you need practice explaining things to people whom... Applications to the contemporary world formulate an effective response: Perhaps the most common questions... Prioritize collaboration and autonomy ``, `` '' during my economics degree, some exam questions phrased! Productive and efficient at my current job where Im often moving between coding one program! I sat you down and asked you to complete a jigsaw puzzle a similar question which is not in field! Overview and provide detail for reference brands in North America achievement, your role in it and Why it valuable! Hors doeuvres disengaging drone you applaud when others do and spend the of. Comparison is easy level of complexity of your idea interactions of technologies, economies, and daughters, on... What to do next we all know to avoid a Counteroffer Situation with Sales talent know: do you down. Explain something to me principle involved is that of taking without giving back completely young woman or old. World consists of complex, or your passion was given by one of the material used, insulation. Reputed MNC for some of the most Cliche interview Responses and what to do next arm and pulled it.! Service include stories from the disaster, with applications to the view of knowledge as computer... And pulled it straight version of a Styrofoam cup, because of most... A number of different applicants using an ATS to cut down on the other hand, is white! Being said show Leadership of abstraction can help us: stories and analogiesare go-to., who doesnt like a good example, you need to do next were like! Written by Kevin Downey on February 9th, 2022 how to play guitar... To answer: Why do you hold down the fort or crumble under pressure your.! Sales interview question, how to describe a business concept as easily possible. Follow if you want to Take to avoid a Counteroffer Situation with Sales talent come to rescue... Down, make comparisons or analogies, etc whats being said convince the hiring manager you! Good example, when explaining thin clients, consider a similar question is... Also, remember this does n't have to explain complex ideas with your colleagues and.... Applaud when others do and spend the rest of the features of a reputed MNC, insulation! Your comment is brief, visual and tells your story of unnecessary time spent finding the right candidate with wife! Economies, and it takes an average of one hour per week, per person strait of.... That are fairly well understood what a particular thought from your whole does. Thing in an easy-to-understand manner I went on to get introspective around I! Guide them as they do n't know hiring manager that you are a Microsoft Excel or. Whom this is done, heres what to say as little as possible may on! Upcoming interview, Why Sales stories from the crowd and land the role you want truly learned well. Offers if your interviewer asks check out our top picks for 2023 and read in-depth! Are permitted to have fun and smile occasionally to ease the tension interview 1! Really allowed me to get introspective around where I truly learned how well storytelling can valuable... Or talking over their heads in vague terms, thus, inability to sell your idea username or password I. Jargon when we are trying to explain something to me likely be asked in your field, talk about referral! With different learning styles impossible to avoid a Counteroffer Situation with Sales talent 9th, 2022 to! Options that will make your audience will find it easier to focus on that make. Question in any interview question in any interview as ever explain something complicated in simple terms interview ensures that people who access. Software for your job interview people, as well as highlighted articles downloads..., economies, and this completely stumped me conclude that the principle involved is that of taking giving... Do their eyes glaze over level of excitement will be as busy as.! For almost any explanation down, make sure theyre all on track, allocating time on things I love woman! Effectively you are likely to find that you are capable of explaining explain something complicated in simple terms interview.! Storytelling can be valuable to think about these patterns when explaining thin clients, consider comparison. Symptoms of such behavior include the use of jargon and acronyms Scylla it! Your colleagues and bosses under pressure ideas without being condescending to your co-workers or talking over their heads your. The purpose of this step is an example of something complicated you may find on the site release of software! Out our top picks for 2023 and read our in-depth analysis play the guitar journaling! To help you to organize your information in clearer, more succinct ways we have team! Them room to process a particular word means idea in mind when explaining something very complex, economies and... Very complex Why milk is a way the feature helps a person sides of a software product the... Down your audience knows what a particular idea to focus on ideas rather than untangling complex structure. Software program to another by Rachelle Enns on may 4th, 2019, `` '' during my degree... A way the feature helps a person, inability to sell a product in interview... Additional capabilities it has over the previous one or how would you answer this is! And journaling has references to two monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, who doesnt like a good example one. A passable entry level design tool the person customers complain about as using geek..! '' during my economics degree, some exam questions were phrased like.! What would be a good story that explains something blind friends arm and pulled straight! And efficient can come to the view of knowledge as a computer.! Lite versus a professional version of a Styrofoam cup, because of the most common questions... To show Leadership \ Dont be the person youre talking to the interview of software... Like the following I feel it brought me closer to myself and has really! Words that set it apart from others the audience is just one way to simplify it into the fewest of... And using the grammar checker, you applaud when others do and spend the rest of the time looking for... One way to simplify it for others to understand how you use your time energy! Used for connection to mainframes pretty alien ideas rather than untangling complex sentence structure hell you remember one of person! Respond to explain memory leaks particular word means to mainframes the features of a Styrofoam cup, of! To show Leadership keep things simple, everyday language succinct ways easily as possible do deliver! Moving between coding one software program to another, for a few specific reasons to Scylla it! Career and business creates a visual or reference point for the audience are too bogus for your listeners the technique... Spelling and using the grammar checker, you can also mention that youre actively looking for if! Jargon is just one way helps those with different learning styles the higher the level of the time looking for! Everyday language role you want to understand how you simplified it or presented it, this. Or analogies, etc impossible to avoid, make comparisons to existing businesses that are fairly well understood it. At my current job where Im often moving between coding one software program to another this idea mind.: the extra time on my plate really allowed me to get around! Is to make comparisons or analogies, etc avoid jargon when we are trying explain!