*Read on for my tips on finding, strengthening and communicating your values…*

The Challenge: Speaking about Personal Values in a Job Interview

Many of my clients come to me for business English coaching for job interviews, a high-pressure situation where clear and confident communication is key. You have practised answering common questions about experience and skills, but what about deeper questions on your personal values? Recruiters often want to know about the guiding principles that shape how you work, make decisions, and interact with others.

Questions like:

What values are important to you in the workplace?
How do you demonstrate problem-solving/teamwork/leadership in your work?
Can you give an example of a time when you stayed true to your values?

These can be difficult to answer, especially in a second language. The challenge isn’t just about vocabulary or grammar, it’s about clarity and confidence.

You might struggle to find the right words to describe your values or feel unsure about how to connect your values to real-life work experiences.

However, when communicated well, personal values can set you apart from other job candidates. Employers don’t just hire based on skills, they also look for people who align with their company culture and mission. That’s why it’s important to be able to speak about your values with confidence and authenticity.

To make this process easier, I want to show you how to use a visual metaphor…

🌸Imagine your personal values as flower buds waiting to bloom. 🌸

But flowers don’t grow on their own, they need attention and care. The key question is:

What do you need to put in your watering can to help your values bloom?

This simple idea will help you structure your answers in a clear and meaningful way. Let’s explore how!

Imagine your core values as flower buds ready to bloom (sketch it! ✏️)

Step 1: Identifying Your Personal Values (The Flowers in Your Garden)

Firstly, you need to find out what your values are. Do any of the words in my title image resonate with you? Still not sure? You could try taking a quiz or simply speaking with people who know you well. It is worth taking time to do this and don’t worry your values can change over time too, so it’s worth revisiting this activity. Try to choose between 5 to 10 words. Here’s a prompt to help you get started:

Imagine your ideal work environment: what values would be blooming there?"

Next write your chosen words down or sketch out a plant with one of your core values in each flower bud.

Step 2: Nurturing Your Values (What’s in Your Watering Can?)

Well done for choosing your values, but what do these words really mean to you? How can you strengthen your values?

My next key question is:

What do you need to put in your watering can to help your values grow?

If honesty is a value, the watering can might contain clear communication and integrity.

If teamwork is a value, it might contain active listening and collaboration.

Add actions which support your values or help your values grow into your ‘watering can’.

Step 3: Expressing Your Values in a Job Interview

Once you’ve identified your values (your flowers) and the actions that nurture them (what’s in your watering can), the next step is learning how to confidently talk about them in a job interview.

1. Connect Your Values to Your Work Experience

Employers don’t just want to hear what your values are, they want to see how you apply them in real situations. Instead of just saying, “I value teamwork,” show it with a story.

A great way to structure your answer is by using the STAR method, which helps you give clear and compelling examples:

S – Situation: What was the context?
T – Task: What was your responsibility?
A – Action: What did you do?
R – Result: What was the outcome?

Let’s say one of your values is collaboration. Maybe you have actions like active listening, teamwork, and supporting others in your watering can. Here’s what you could say in an interview:

Interviewer: Can you give an example of a time you demonstrated collaboration at work?

Candidate’s Answer (Using STAR Method):
"In my role as a customer service representative, our team had a high volume of customer inquiries during a product launch (Situation). My responsibility was to handle incoming requests, but I noticed that some colleagues were struggling to keep up (Task). To support the team, I suggested we create a shared response template for common questions and divide tasks more efficiently. I also offered to mentor a new colleague who was unfamiliar with the process (Action). As a result, we reduced response time by 30% and improved customer satisfaction, while also strengthening team morale (Result)."

This answer shows collaboration in action rather than just stating it.

3. Practice Common Value-Based Questions

To prepare, think about different values that are important to you and create STAR answers for each. Here are some common interview questions you can practice with:

Tell me about a time when you showed adaptability at work.
Describe a situation where you had to solve a problem.
Can you give an example of how you learned a new skill?

By practicing these answers out loud, you’ll feel more confident and natural when speaking in the interview. Especially if you keep the STAR framework in mind to help you structure your answer.

Conclusion: Grow Your Confidence and Ace Your Interview

Effectively communicating your personal values in a job interview is an impactful way to stand out. By using the flower and watering can metaphor, you can:

· Identify your key values and understand what they mean to you.

· Find the right words to express them clearly and authentically.

· Use structured storytelling (like the STAR method) to highlight your values in action.

But just like a plant, confidence grows with care and attention! 🌱

If you want personalised coaching to refine your answers, improve your fluency, and gain confidence for your next job interview, I’d love to help. In my Business English training and language coaching, I offer personalised guidance to help you:
✔ Speak about your values naturally and persuasively.
✔ Master professional vocabulary and interview techniques.
✔ Practice with expert feedback in a supportive learning environment.

📩 Get in touch and book a free discovery call to learn more.

Resources and further reading:

How to Find, Define, and Use Your Values, Irina Cosma, Harvard Business Review

Core Values in the Workplace: 80 Powerful Examples, Hanna Keiling, Indeed Career Guide

How to Use the STAR Method Interview Response Technique, Indeed Career Guide

📖 Drive, Daniel H. Pink (Canongate, 2010)