When you’re applying for a job, it’s not enough to tell employers what you can do – you need to show them. Many applicants rely on vague statements like “I’m a great communicator” or “I work well under pressure.” But without evidence, these are just claims. By using specific examples from your work, studies, or volunteer experience, you can bring your skills to life and convince employers that you truly have what they’re looking for.

Why Examples Make a Difference

A concrete example acts as proof. It demonstrates how you’ve applied your skills in real situations and helps the employer picture how you work. This makes your application more credible – and more engaging to read.

Consider these two sentences:

• “I’m good at managing deadlines.”
• “When my team was preparing a major client presentation, I coordinated the design and content workstreams to ensure we delivered ahead of schedule.”

The second sentence tells a story. It shows what you did and what the outcome was. That’s the kind of detail that can make your application stand out.

How to Find the Right Examples

Start by thinking about times when you made a difference. These could come from a previous job, your studies, voluntary work, or even a personal project. Ask yourself:

• When have I solved a problem successfully?
• When have I learned something that improved my performance?
• When have I received positive feedback or recognition?

You don’t need the biggest or most dramatic story. What matters is that it clearly shows how you use your skills in practice.

Use the STAR Method as a Tool

A simple way to structure your examples is the STAR method:

• Situation – What was the context?
• Task – What was your role or responsibility?
• Action – What did you do specifically?
• Result – What was the outcome?

Example: “When I worked as a marketing assistant (situation), I was asked to improve engagement on our social media channels (task). I analysed audience data, created a new content plan, and introduced weekly performance reviews (action). As a result, our follower engagement increased by 35% in two months (result).”

This structure keeps your example clear, concise, and persuasive.

Tailor Your Examples to the Role

An example is only effective if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills the employer values most. Then choose examples that highlight those exact qualities.

If the role emphasises teamwork, describe a situation where you collaborated successfully. If it calls for initiative, share a story where you took the lead and delivered results. This shows that you understand what the employer needs – and that you can deliver it.

Make Your Language Dynamic

When describing your examples, use active verbs and concrete language. Write “I planned,” “I developed,” or “I implemented” instead of “I was involved in.” This gives a stronger impression of ownership and action.

Avoid too much jargon or internal terminology that might not make sense outside your previous organisation. Keep your language clear and accessible so that any reader can follow your story.

Connect the Example to the Job

Don’t let your example stand alone. After describing what you did, explain what you learned and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. For instance:

“This experience taught me how to stay organised and focused under pressure – a skill I believe will be valuable in the fast-paced environment of your company.”

This shows that you’re not just listing experiences but reflecting on them and applying what you’ve learned to future challenges.

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From Claims to Conviction

By using concrete examples, you transform your application from a list of claims into a compelling story about your strengths in action. You help the employer see you in the role – and that’s exactly what a strong application should do.

So next time you write, “I’m a great team player,” ask yourself: How do I know that – and how can I show it? The answer to that question is the key to an application that truly stands out.