The transition from college to career can be overwhelming, especially the interview process. Applicants have to prove they can adjust well to a new role and be a resource to potential employers, all within the course of a 30-minute job interview. Here are four tips on how to highlight strengths during an interview so you can land your dream job:

1) Turn Tough Situations Into Positive Experiences

Almost every person has rough days, whether at home, school, or work. Think of those difficult situations you came across. How did you handle yourself? Looking back, what could be improved?

Having mediation skills and being able to negotiate solutions apply to most jobs. Show you are able to work under pressure by explaining the times you have been responsible for calming tensions or turning a situation from bad to good.

2) Be a Team Player

Many employers are looking for employees who can work as a member of a team. Have examples prepared and describe your role on the team. Outline your contributions while also speaking highly of those you worked with. These examples can highlight your communication skills as well as listening ability, both of which are sought after in the job market.

3) Challenge Yourself

If you have not given yourself a healthy challenge recently, I would advise you to do so. Go the extra mile on a project or take a leadership role in a club or activity. Whatever you do, make sure you have examples of times you did something challenging that helped you grow. Businesses are constantly looking for people who will push themselves to go above and beyond the company’s expectations.

4) Think of Failures

There have probably been times in your life that things did not go the way you planned. But, true failure is giving up on whatever your goal was, not having something go wrong. Think of a time when things did not go as you planned and you persevered. Show your potential employers that when something goes wrong, you can use your mistakes to find new solutions to move forward. From these examples you can show you are goal-oriented, driven, and that you can see problems from multiple angles.

When reading the requirements for a job, think of experiences that relate to the qualifications listed and show your potential employer how you can benefit the company. Handling difficult scenarios and staying positive in demanding situations are skills that are useful at all points in your life. Most importantly, be open to new experiences and an exciting path ahead of you.