How do you compare responses to behavioral questions?

1 The STAR method

One of the most popular and widely recommended frameworks for answering behavioral questions is the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It helps you structure your response in a clear, concise, and relevant way, by providing the context, the goal, the steps, and the outcome of your example. When you compare responses to behavioral questions, you can use the STAR method as a checklist to evaluate how well they cover each element. A good response should have a specific and relevant situation, a clear and challenging task, a detailed and logical action, and a positive and measurable result.

2 The CAR method

Another similar framework for answering behavioral questions is the CAR method. CAR stands for Context, Action, and Result. It is similar to the STAR method, but it combines the situation and the task into one element, the context. The context should describe the background, the problem, and the objective of your example. The action should explain what you did, how you did it, and why you did it. The result should highlight what you achieved, what you learned, and what impact you had. When you compare responses to behavioral questions, you can use the CAR method as an alternative to the STAR method, especially if you want to be more concise and focus on the most important aspects of your example.

3 The SOAR method

A third framework for answering behavioral questions is the SOAR method. SOAR stands for Situation, Obstacle, Action, and Result. It is similar to the STAR method, but it emphasizes the obstacle or challenge that you faced in your example. The obstacle should describe the difficulty, the risk, or the conflict that you had to overcome. The action should demonstrate how you dealt with the obstacle, what skills or strategies you used, and what support or resources you leveraged. The result should show how you resolved the obstacle, what benefits or outcomes you delivered, and what feedback or recognition you received. When you compare responses to behavioral questions, you can use the SOAR method as a way to showcase your problem-solving, resilience, and creativity skills.

4 The PAR method

A fourth framework for answering behavioral questions is the PAR method. PAR stands for Problem, Action, and Result. It is similar to the CAR method, but it focuses on the problem that you solved in your example. The problem should describe the issue, the gap, or the opportunity that you identified or faced. The action should illustrate how you approached the problem, what steps or decisions you took, and what collaboration or communication you involved. The result should indicate how you solved the problem, what value or improvement you added, and what feedback or metrics you used. When you compare responses to behavioral questions, you can use the PAR method as a way to highlight your analytical, critical thinking, and innovation skills.

5 The SBI method

A fifth framework for answering behavioral questions is the SBI method. SBI stands for Situation, Behavior, and Impact. It is similar to the SOAR method, but it focuses on the behavior that you exhibited in your example. The behavior should describe what you did, how you did it, and why you did it in relation to the situation. The impact should explain what effect or influence your behavior had on yourself, others, or the situation. When you compare responses to behavioral questions, you can use the SBI method as a way to emphasize your emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?