Background
Vanessa faced a significant life change when her partner relocated from Kent to Preston. While excited to begin this new chapter, she knew it came with challenges—particularly securing a fulfilling role in procurement. Vanessa aimed high, applying to a local company renowned for its rigorous hiring process and high standards. The role offered not just a career boost but also the chance to align her professional values with a respected organisation.

Challenge
The company set a high bar, requiring candidates to demonstrate not only technical skills but also a strong alignment with its core values. Vanessa needed to confidently convey her expertise while threading the company’s values through her responses to competency-based questions.

Although experienced, Vanessa felt uncertain about how to stand out and highlight her fit for the role in a competitive market.

Approach
Together, we embarked on a structured three-session preparation plan designed to ensure Vanessa would feel confident and well-prepared:

1. Researching Company Values
   • We delved into the company’s mission, vision, and values, identifying their emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and integrity.
   • We translated these values into actionable behaviours that Vanessa could reference from her own career experience.
2. Competency-Based Question Strategy
   • Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result), we brainstormed examples from Vanessa’s career that aligned with the company’s values.
   • For each competency question, we tailored her answers to ensure the company’s values were seamlessly integrated.
3. Mock Interviews
   • We conducted realistic practice interviews, fine-tuning Vanessa’s delivery to showcase confidence and professionalism.
   • Feedback focused on phrasing, tone, and highlighting key achievements without losing sight of the company’s priorities.

Outcome
Vanessa’s preparation paid off spectacularly. Not only did she secure the role, but she also achieved a £10,000 salary increase—a testament to her preparedness and ability to demonstrate her value to the organisation. The company noted her deep understanding of their ethos and her ability to connect her experiences to their vision.

Reflection
This case study illustrates the power of thorough preparation, aligning personal and professional values with those of a prospective employer. By focusing on tailoring responses to reflect the company’s ethos, Vanessa was able to stand out in a competitive field and achieve a career milestone.

Her success is a reminder that preparation and a value-driven approach can open doors to new opportunities—even in the face of major life changes.