Student Success Blog

The Secret to Interviewing: SHARE Stories

Do you have an interview coming up that you want to crush? Or are you starting the job search process and are unsure of how to prepare for interviewing? If you want to learn how to prepare for the interview process effectively and efficiently, keep reading!   

Nobody was born knowing how to interview. This is something my dad has told me numerous times, many of which were before my most recent interview for a middle school history and social studies teaching position. Thankfully, I was hired for this position, but not without spending many hours preparing responses to the hundreds of potential questions I could be asked. Before my interview, I asked my family members for advice, which is when I learned about a foolproof method to simplify the interview process: SHARE stories. This method helped me and many of my peers to be hired for their dream position, but how does it work?


What are SHARE Stories?

SHARE stories provide a way to ensure that your learning experiences which qualify you for the position you’re interviewing for are clearly conveyed to interviewers. SHARE is an acronym, with each letter symbolizing a piece of the story you would tell to answer questions in an interview.


S – Situation

When telling a story to answer an interview question, you first want to explain the situation in which the learning experience took place. Here, you’ll focus on the who, what, where, when, and why of your story. Were you student teaching? What did your classroom look like? What unit were you teaching? What time of day was it? Were you completing your Kinesiology practicum? Who were you helping? What techniques did you use to support that individual’s physical and mental health? Were you completing your recreation management practicum? What park or agency were you working in? Who were you working with?


H – Hindrance

Next is the hindrance. This is the task, problem, or challenge you experienced that required you to take action. Think of this as the climax of a story. Was there a student you were unsure of how to help? Was there a patient that you didn’t know how to support? Was there an event that you and your team were unsure of how to plan?


A – Action

Then you have the action you took to solve the problem or help someone in overcoming a challenge. This is where interviewers are looking to hear what YOU did, not what others at your school, company, or park usually do. What actions did YOU specifically take to help that struggling student, patient, or team?


R – Result

Once you’ve taken action, what happened because of what you did? What was the result of implementing a new classroom management strategy? Did your patients’ health improve because you practiced a new technique you learned from your program? How was your event after trying out the new management strategy you took to your event planning team?


E – Emotion/End Result

Finally, you have the emotion you felt because of this experience. The “E” can also be what you learned from the “end result” of the story you are telling. This is usually what most people forget when they are telling a story. If you can include this in each of your responses, you will truly demonstrate your ability to learn and grow as an individual, which all employers should be looking for. Did you gain an increased sense of confidence in your abilities as a teacher, physical therapist, or recreation manager because of the action you took? Did you learn that your attention to detail or unwavering desire to learn is a strength you can apply to other situations?


Helpful Tips

The way my family members and I have successfully used this technique was, first, finding questions we thought we would likely be asked during an interview. For this, you can reach out to your professors, mentors, and supervisors and inquire about interviewing.

Then, you can put all those questions into a Microsoft Word or Google document, and put the SHARE acronym under each one. Once you think of a story or learning experience you’ve had that can answer the question, start filling in the letters of SHARE.

If you’re serious about using this technique, you could even put these questions and your SHARE stories on flashcards to decrease your recall time when you’re put on the spot during an interview.

Finally, remember, you got this! All you need to do is SHARE your story!


Sophia Castle Headshot

Sophia J. Castle

is pursuing her MED in Curriculum and Instruction (Secondary Ed – History and Social Science). After graduating in Spring 2024, she plans to teach middle school history and social studies.

She is also a founding member of the CEHD Student Success Advisory Board!


CEHD Study Abroad Opportunities

Are you interested in experiencing different cultures while completing your undergraduate degree requirements? Consider studying abroad!

Faculty from the College of Education and Human Development are leading engaging study abroad opportunities for Summer 2024. Keep reading for information about two of our upcoming trips to Europe and Mexico. 

Be sure to apply by the deadline of March 10, 2024!


BMX World Cup

European Model of Sport:
Netherlands & Germany

Program Dates: 6/24/2024 – 7/4/2024

Program Highlights:

  • Ten-day tour of 2 European countries
  • Cultural interpretations and their impact on European sport management and sport performance
  • Representatives of top international sport organizations will present a wide range of perspectives during the program. Topics will include the structure and characteristics of European sports, marketing and management in European sports, sports law, sport skill development, and sport performance in professional soccer, basketball, etc.

Learn more and apply

Watch a faculty interview about this experience!


Cancun, Mexico

The Mexican All-Inclusive Resort Business

Program Dates: 6/15/2024 – 6/22/2024

Program Highlights:

  • Students will spend a week exploring several all-inclusive resorts, learning firsthand about this industry’s economic drivers, public policy issues and operational challenges and opportunities.
  • Students will experience notable archeological and eco-tourism destinations to fully understand the Cancun market’s global appeal.

Learn more and apply

Watch a faculty interview about this experience!


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Student Town Hall with President Washington

On February 7 at 1:00 pm in the HUB Ballroom, University Life will host the first student town hall with the current university president, Gregory Washington.

This is an opportunity for students to voice ways for our college and schools to get support and resources! Don’t miss this chance to hear from President Washington and ask him your questions – register on Mason360 to save your spot!

Student Town Hall with President Washington flyer

2024-25 Scholarship Opportunity for Undergraduate Students

The Kimmy Duong Foundation is excited to announce The Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Program. This program is for undergraduate students enrolled in Washington, DC area institutions (including George Mason University) for the 2024-25 school year. Each undergraduate scholarship will be $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 annually. The scholarship is renewable annually for up to 4 years, for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The application portal is open until March 29, 2024, but only the first 250 applications will be accepted!


Join the Info Session:

A Kimmy Duong Foundation Scholarship Information Session is being held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 12:00 – 1:30pm in George’s on the third floor of the Johnson Center. This is a free event with lunch provided!


Qualifications:

These undergraduate scholarships are available to all US Citizens and permanent residents (except the 3 Gold scholarships that will be reserved for Vietnamese students from Vietnam, who have been accepted to US universities) who demonstrate:

  • Outstanding academic achievement
  • Strong leadership potential
  • A track record of service to the communities
  • Pride in their culture and heritage, and
  • A passion to apply their academic background to create a better world
  • Financial need
  • Special consideration will be given to students with unique situations, for example:
    • Low to moderate incomes
    • Single parents returning to school to improve their families’ lives, or
    • Students who are trying to recover from a past criminal record and improve their own lives
    • Attending the scholarship ceremony to accept the scholarship award

More Info & How to Apply:

For more details about qualifications, see the Qualifications – DC/VA/MD page.

To apply for a scholarship, see the Applying – DC/VA/MD page.

Loudoun County Public Schools Interviewing Day at Mason

All Mason degree-seeking students (undergraduate and graduate) and alumni are eligible to participate in the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Program. Later this month, Loudoun County VA Public Schools will be conducting interviews for teacher and school counselor positions for the 24-25 school year. Apply by January 26 to participate in the interview day on January 31 from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. Learn more about the job opportunities they are interviewing for (as well as the interview info) below.

LCPS GMU Interview Sign Up

Interview Information


When:

  • Application deadline: January 26, 2024; Interview date: January 31, 2024


Where:

  • University Career Services Office – Student Union Building 1, Room 3400


Related Jobs for Interview:


All Licensed Teachers & School Counselor Positions – looking for students (undergraduate & graduate) majoring in:

  • Elementary Education,
  • Early Childhood Education,
  • Mathematics Education,
  • Secondary Education, and
  • Special Education

How Students Can Sign Up For An Interview:


Step 1: Apply to one of the job postings above
Step 2: Select a time-slot through the interview schedule


Additional LCPS reps will be on campus that same day and hold office hours for students. This is an opportunity for students to speak with a LCPS recruiter for casual, informational conversations about various roles and an opportunity to get your resume reviewed by them!