Interview Prep
Behavioral. Case. Technical...
You name it, and there's an interview style to match. Today's candidates need to be prepared to succeed in multiple interview settings.
S.T.A.R. Method for Answering
Situation: Provide a clear image of the scenario to the interviewer. (e.g. "In my previous brand management role, I worked on creating social media content for the company utilizing Facebook and Instagram."Question 1: Tell me about a project you managed.
S: What is the story you’re trying to tell?T: What was your role in the situation?
A: How did you apply your own skills to the situation?
R: What outcome did this achieve? What is the result?
"In my last role as a Compensation & Benefits HR Intern, I was tasked with analyzing existing pay levels for the electric division of the company. I completed market research on salary and hourly wages at competing companies and discovered the company was slightly underpaying for certain roles that were also experiencing high turnover. I prepared a report in Excel and designed an accompanying slide deck to present to senior leadership. They agreed with my recommendation to increase pay in line with market rates and implemented it for the next cohort."
Question 2: Tell me about a time when you had to work in a group and there was a conflict. How did you handle it?
Craft Compelling Answers
Want to tell a potential employer that you’re creative? A problem solver? Flexible? Well-worn phrases won’t help you get the job, but concrete examples will!
Don’t say |
The story you need to tell |
Highly qualified |
Highlight your accomplishments in previous jobs. Emphasize your specific skills and note any certifications you have earned. |
Hard worker |
Explain exactly how you've gone the extra mile for your job. For instance, did you regularly meet tough deadlines, handle a high volume of projects, or tackle tasks outside your job description? |
Team player |
Provide examples of how you worked with colleagues or individuals in other departments to meet an objective or complete a project. |
Problem solver |
Highlight a difficult situation you encountered and how you handled it. |
Flexible |
Describe how you responded to a major change at work (or in your schoolwork) or dealt with the unpredictable aspects of your job. |
People person |
Can you offer examples of your strong communication skills? Can you describe how you’ve worked with co-workers and customers? |
Self-starter |
What can you contribute immediately to the company or to the department you work in? Describe how you took action when you saw an issue that needed to be fixed. |
Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.