During behavioral job interviews, one will be asked to share information which sheds light on their potential value as an employee. For example, an interviewer might ask the interviewee to describe an instance in his or her life where a particular type of achievement was demonstrated. These questions often play a key role in the hiring process, and one should prepare for these crucial questions by learning a technique prior to the interview itself.
One system for successfully answering these questions is known as the STAR Technique (or alternatively as the SAR and PAR techniques), which is an acronym for how to effectively impress your interviewer with your response.
Situation. Succinctly describe to your interviewer the situation that you were in, along with any necessary background information for appreciating the context. Be sure to be specific enough that your interviewer adequately understands the circumstances, but without getting lost in unimportant details.
Task. After providing a sufficient backdrop to your interviewer, explain exactly what it was that you had to do. This task need not be previous work experience—feel free to mention any relevant responsibility pertinent to the interviewer’s question. Also, be sure to clearly express any additional challenges that you were facing, such as time constraints or other pressures.
Action. Articulate to the interviewer the specific course of action that you took. It is perfectly acceptable if you are describing your actions as part of a larger team—simply be sure to mention your actions. While conveying your actions to the interviewer, it is essential that your strongest qualities are brought to light without explicitly mentioning them.
Results. Explain to the interviewer the impact of the actions that you just described. Quantifiable results will be more effective than your subjective analysis, so try to provide objective data wherever possible. Conclude your response by articulating not only what you achieved, but also what you learned in the process.
Now that the STAR technique has been explained, the next valuable step is to go over typical questions that are likely to be asked at an interview. While it is imperative not to simply memorize answers verbatim, it is best to be prepared for the types of questions which often come up at interviews. This will leave you in a position where you will be able to think on your feet during the interview itself.
It is likely that you will be asked to offer an example of a time when you experienced a particular challenge, such as facing multiple tasks simultaneously or a split-second decision. Other times, the question may be vaguer and up to your subjective interpretation, such as a question asking you to describe a difficult challenge that you have recently faced.
One should also be prepared to answer questions involving one’s ability to effectively work alongside others. This can be phrased in several ways, such as questions about instances where you had to deal with a conflict among colleagues, how you dealt with situations collaborating with unpleasant coworkers, or how you have effectively communicated with disgruntled customers.
Depending on the position, the interviewer may be particularly interested in your power of persuasion. Questions to be expected in such a scenario will involve instances where you convinced a coworker to change his or her mind, whether through a visual presentation, verbal reasoning, or any other technique. Your interviewer might be especially interested in situations where you were successful in motivating coworkers to boost their productivity.
A thornier group of questions for which one must be prepared ask the interviewee to explain past failures. This may involve a situation in which you had goals that were not reached or where you provided an incorrect solution to a fixable problem. This question may come in many forms, but it is a favorite of interviewers, and one should be particularly prepared to answer this group of questions with the STAR technique.
It is impossible to prepare for every type of question that might come up at an interview. Nonetheless, by mastering the STAR technique to answer questions effectively, one will be sufficiently prepared to rise above any question that your interviewer may summon.
