How to prepare for behavioral interview questions?

After what sometimes can be an exhausting process of applying for different positions, comes the interview stage. Before the interview, we start to think about all the potential questions and how to answer them. Sometimes, we overthink it or overanalyze it. The unknown is not something our brain is fond of. That's where the preparation comes in handy. It helps us envision possibilities and it soothes our brain giving us some idea of what awaits us.

While preparing for my first interview, I discovered a specific method called the STAR method that helped me feel more confident when going into the interview.

What is the STAR Method?

It is a technique used to respond to behavioral interview questions. These questions usually begin with phrases such as, "Share an example of..." or "Tell me about a time when..." and often directly relate to key competencies or skills required for the job.

You can structure your answers to these questions using the STAR technique which provides a framework for crafting compelling responses that showcase your skills and experiences.

It's an acronym that stands for Situation, Tasks, Actions, and Results.

Situation: Describe the context or scenario you were in. Provide enough detail to give the interviewer a clear understanding of the situation you faced.

Tasks: Talk about the specific tasks or objectives you needed to accomplish within that situation. What were you responsible for, and what goals were you aiming to achieve?

Actions: Describe the actions you took to accomplish the task. Focus on your contributions and highlight the skills you utilized.

Results: In the end, discuss the outcomes or results of your actions. What did you learn? What was achieved as a result of your efforts? Quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your impact.

How to Use the STAR Method in Interviews

Prepare Stories: Research common behavioral interview questions and prepare STAR-based examples that demonstrate your skills and experiences that are in line with the position you applied for.

Focus on Results: Emphasize the outcomes of your actions and the impact you made. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to add credibility to your responses.

Example:

During my previous role as a project manager, our team was tasked with launching a new product within a tight deadline. (situation)

My task was to coordinate cross-functional teams, develop a project timeline, and ensure that everything was met on time and within budget. (task)

I conducted meetings with team members to delegate responsibilities, created a detailed project plan, and established regular communication channels to monitor progress and address any issues promptly. (action)

As a result of our efforts, we successfully launched the product one week ahead of schedule, exceeding sales targets by 10% and receiving positive feedback from clients and stakeholders. (result)

Applying the STAR Method in CV Writing

While mostly it is used for answering behavioral questions, this method can help you effectively showcase your accomplishments in your CV and demonstrate your suitability for the desired position to potential employers.

Use it to make your bullet points effectively highlight your achievements:

Example:

Led a cross-functional team to implement a new CRM system, resulting in a 15% increase in efficiency and a 10% reduction in response time.

Benefits of Using the STAR Method

STAR method enables you to tell your story while showcasing your skillset, and achievements with a more detailed approach. It enables you to also make your CV more engaging to the person reading it. And, in the end, having prepared examples using the STAR method can boost your confidence and make it easier to go through all those steps in the interviewing process. I know it helped me.