Originally shared via email. For early access to UN job search success tips and advice, subscribe to the newsletter here.

After the interviewing Masterclass in January, I realized I missed covering a common interview challenge – how to avoid falling into the "We" trap – talking about all the things "we" did rather than what "I" did.
 

It's understandable that many struggle with this as we’re trained to be team players, giving credit, and acknowledging others. Teamwork is even a common UN core competency!

But in an interview, they’re evaluating you, not your team. So if you talk mainly from a "we" perspective, you risk the panel not hearing about what YOU are able to accomplish.

How do you solve this without sounding self-centered and anything but a team player?

Flex between the two, for example like this:

“Our team was tasked with X, and I was responsible for A. How I went about that was…”

 

“My team did Y, and my contribution was B, which I accomplished by C, D and...”

To find out if you tend to fall into the We-trap, do this:

• Record yourself answering sample interview questions on Zoom or Google Meet, for example.
• Extract the transcript and let AI analyze your I vs. We usage.
• Ask AI for suggestions on how to increase your I-usage while acknowledging your team, when appropriate.

Even if you're asked a question about teamwork, keep the I-perspective in your answer. They're looking for your contribution, in particular, to the team working well together. Makes sense?

Great team players make significant contributions. Proudly take credit for yours!