How To Answer Behavioral Interview Questions
If you struggle to give concise answers to interview questions or are unsure how to share your accomplishments during an interview without sounding boastful … then the STAR interview response technique can help.
This method of answering interview questions will provide a framework to give concrete examples or proof that you possess the experience and skills for the job at hand.
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. This strategy is particularly helpful in response to competency-focused questions, which typically start out with phrases such as, "Describe a time when..." and "Share an example of a situation where...."
Below is more detail of the STAR interview response technique, and examples of how to use it.
What Is the STAR Interview Response Technique?
The STAR interview response technique is a way of answering behavioral interview questions - which are questions about how you have behaved in the past. Specifically, they are about how you have handled certain work situations. Employers typically will analyze the job description, define the skills and qualities that high-level performers have exhibited and then ask you behavioral questions specific to that because past performance can be a good predictor of the future.
For example, employers might be looking for proof of problem-solving skills, analytical ability, creativity, perseverance through failure, writing skills, presentation skills, teamwork orientation, persuasive skills, quantitative skills, or accuracy.
Examples of behavioral interview questions could sound like:
Tell me about a time when you had to complete a task under a tight deadline.
Have you ever gone above and beyond the call of duty?
What do you do when a team member has not complete their responsibilities at work?
STAR is an acronym for four key concepts. By employing each key concept, the job candidate will provide a comprehensive answer. The concepts in the acronym comprise the following:
Situation: Describe the context within which you performed a job or faced a challenge at work. For example, perhaps you were working on a group project, or you had a conflict with a coworker. This situation can be drawn from a work experience, a volunteer position, or any other relevant event. Be as specific as possible.
Task: Next, describe your responsibility in that situation. Perhaps you had to help your group complete a project within a tight deadline, resolve a conflict with a coworker, or hit a sales target.
Action: You then describe how you completed the task or endeavored to meet the challenge. Focus on what you did, rather than what your team, boss, or coworker did. (Tip: Instead of saying, "We did xyx," say "I did xyz.")
Result: Finally, explain the outcomes or results generated by the action taken. It may be helpful to emphasize what you accomplished, or what you learned.
How to Prepare for an Interview Using STAR
Since you won’t know in advance what interviewing techniques your interviewer will be using, you’ll benefit from preparing several scenarios from the jobs you’ve held.
First, highlight (with a highlighter) all of the skills and/or experiences that are listed in the job description. Then, consider specific examples of occasions when you displayed those skills. For each example, name the situation, task, action, and result.
Whatever examples you select, make sure they are as closely related to the job you’re interviewing for as possible. You can also take a look at common behavioral interview questions, and try answering each of them using the STAR technique.
Examples of Interview Questions and Answers Using STAR
Example Question 1
Tell me about a time you had to complete a task within a tight deadline. Describe the situation, and explain how you handled it.
Example Answer 1
While I typically like to plan out my work in stages and complete it piece by piece, I can also achieve high-quality work results under tight deadlines. Once, at a former company, an employee left days before the imminent deadline of one of his projects. I was asked to assume responsibility for it, with only a few days to learn about and complete the project. I created a task force and delegated work, and we all completed the assignment with a day to spare. In fact, I believe I thrive when working under tight deadlines.
Example Question 2
Tell me about a time you showed initiative on the job.
Example Answer 2
Last winter, I was an account coordinator, supporting the account executive for a major client at an ad agency. The account executive had an accident and was sidelined three weeks before a major campaign pitch.
I volunteered to fill in and orchestrate the presentation by coordinating the input of the creative and media teams. I called an emergency meeting and facilitated a discussion about ad scenarios, media plans, and the roles of various team members in relation to the presentation.
I was able to achieve a consensus on two priority ad concepts that we had to pitch, along with related media strategies. I drew up a minute-by-minute plan of how we would present the pitch that was warmly received by the team based on our discussions. The client loved our plan and adopted the campaign. I was promoted to account executive six months later.