Unstructured interviews can be challenging. Unlike structured competency based interviews, where questions are predefined and follow a specific order, unstructured interviews are more conversational and fluid. This flexibility can make it difficult to know how to respond effectively, especially when the questions are open-ended or vague. Even though there is little to no evidence of unstructured interview questions helping organisations select the most appropriate candidates, they are still very common. The Past, Present, and Future model offers a practical way to navigate these interviews with confidence and clarity.
Understanding the Past, Present, and Future Model
The Past, Present, and Future model is a simple yet powerful framework that helps you organise your responses by dividing them into three key timeframes:
• Past: What have you accomplished or experienced?
• Present: What are you currently doing?
• Future: What are your goals or plans moving forward?
This structure not only helps you cover all relevant aspects of your experience but also ensures that your responses are clear and focused, making it easier for interviewers to understand your journey and potential. Unstructured interviews often lack the predictability of standard questions, requiring you to think on your feet and provide comprehensive answers without much guidance. The Past, Present, and Future model serves as a mental roadmap, guiding you through your response by giving you a clear structure to follow, no matter how open-ended the question.
How to Apply the Past, Present, and Future Model to Unstructured Interview Questions
Here’s how you can effectively use this model to answer different types of unstructured interview questions:
1. Broad Questions About Your Experience
Unstructured interviews often include broad questions like, “Tell me about yourself” or “Walk me through your career.” These questions can feel overwhelming because they give you so much freedom in how you answer.
Using the Model:
• Past: Start by briefly summarising your relevant past experiences, focusing on key roles or accomplishments that have shaped your career.
E.g: “I started my career in marketing, where I developed a strong foundation in branding and customer engagement. My most significant experience was leading a rebranding project that increased our market share by 15%.
• Present: Transition to what you are currently doing, emphasising how your present role builds on your past experiences.
E.g: “Currently, I’m working as a marketing manager at a tech startup, where I’m responsible for overseeing digital marketing campaigns and driving customer acquisition strategies.”
• Future: Conclude with your future aspirations and how the position you’re interviewing for aligns with your career goals.
E.g: “Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue advancing in a leadership role where I can drive innovative marketing strategies that contribute to business growth.”
2. Questions About Your Problem-Solving Approach
Unstructured interviews may include open-ended questions about how you handle challenges, such as, “How do you approach problem-solving?”
Using the Model:
• Past: Begin with an example of a problem you faced in the past and how you approached it.
E.g: “In my previous job, we encountered a significant drop in customer satisfaction due to a product issue. I led a cross-functional team to investigate the root cause and implemented a solution that improved our ratings within a quarter.”
• Present: Discuss how you apply those problem-solving skills in your current role.
E.g: “Currently, I use a similar approach to problem-solving by first gathering data, then collaborating with key stakeholders to develop and implement solutions.”
• Future: Explain how you plan to continue refining your problem-solving abilities and how they would benefit the company.
E.g: “In the future, I’m eager to tackle more complex challenges and explore innovative problem-solving techniques, such as leveraging data analytics for predictive insights.”
3. Questions About Career Goals and Aspirations
Unstructured interviews often probe into your long-term career plans with questions like, “Where do you see yourself in the future?” or “What are your career aspirations?”
Using the Model:
• Past: Reflect on how your previous experiences have shaped your career trajectory.
E.g: “My past roles in project management have given me a strong foundation in leading teams and managing complex initiatives, which has fuelled my passion for strategic leadership.”
• Present: Talk about what you are currently doing to progress toward your goals.
E.g: “At present, I’m honing my leadership skills by taking on larger projects and mentoring junior team members, which is preparing me for a more senior role.”
• Future: Describe your long-term career goals and how they align with the position you’re applying for.
E.g: “In the future, I aim to step into a director-level position where I can shape the strategic direction of the company and drive impactful business outcomes.”
4. Responding to Unexpected or Curveball Questions
Unstructured interviews often include unexpected, or “curveball” questions designed to assess your creativity or how you think on your feet, such as, “If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?” Although these make me cringe (and are absolutely not evidence based selection), you may be unfortunate enough to be asked such questions.
Using the Model:
• Past: Link your choice to a past experience or trait that is relevant.
E.g: “In my past experiences, I’ve always admired the resilience and teamwork of wolves, which is why I would choose to be one.”
• Present: Relate it to your current situation or working style.
E.g: “Right now, I approach my work with a collaborative mindset, much like a wolf in a pack, always striving to achieve goals as a team.”
• Future: Connect it to your future aspirations.
E.g: “Looking ahead, I aim to continue leading by example, much like the alpha of a wolf pack, fostering collaboration and guiding teams toward success.”
Summary
The Past Present Future model provides structure in ambiguity. The model gives you a clear framework to follow, helping you stay focused even when the questions are open-ended. It ensures comprehensive answers by covering your past experiences, current activities, and future goals, you can deliver well-rounded responses that touch on all the interviewer’s potential interests. It helps highlight growth, allowing you to showcase your development over time, emphasising how your past has shaped your present and how both will influence your future and finally it enhances storytelling – helps you craft a narrative that is both engaging and informative, making your answers more memorable.
Unstructured interviews can be unpredictable, but with the Past, Present, and Future model, you can navigate them with confidence. This simple yet effective framework helps you organise your thoughts, provide comprehensive answers, and showcase your growth and potential. Whether you’re responding to broad questions about your experience, explaining your problem-solving approach, or sharing your career aspirations, the Past, Present, and Future model ensures that you present a clear and compelling story every time.
So, the next time you face an unstructured interview, remember this model – it could be your key to success.
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