Common_Interview_QandA

How to Ace Your Interview in 2020

It’s 2020 and the job market is as competitive as it gets! Throughout the interview phase, there are some common interview questions that a candidate has to be prepared for in order to be equipped with the best response. Regardless of the job position you apply for, you will have to undergo behaviour-based questions in your interview.

Nervousness hits when it’s interview time. Your behaviour in real-life situations will be tested when you are interviewed. Of course, when you hear the words, “Tell me the time when you… “, you will suddenly find yourself dumbstruck, racking your mind on how to provide an apt response to such real-life situations. The STAR interview method will solve all your problems and get you that dream job that you are aspiring for.

Introducing the STAR Methodology

The STAR method is a technique that allows you to provide clear answers to interview questions, backed up by real-life examples. You tell your interviewer how you handled a particular situation at your workplace and came out successfully.

STAR is an acronym wherein key concepts: Situation, Task, Action, and Result are analysed.

These four components will keep your answer focused and to the point, in a real-life environment.

Situation is setting the scenario and relevant details in a particular situation. People work in various situations such as group work, meeting deadlines, voluntary work or working amid conflicts.

Task is the role you played in that situation and what your responsibility was in that role.

Action is the way in which you completed the task. You will have to outline your very own contribution to the task in each situation. Do not talk about group achievement, but keep the focus on yourself.

Result is the way the results were achieved using your ideas and accomplishments.

Sample Interview Questions-and-Answers using the STAR Response Structure

• Tell me about yourself.

Promotional activities like advertising are some areas that I specialize in. I have a special training certificate to support my degree and I also give lectures on selling strategies to my juniors. I keep myself updated on new innovations and technology. I intend to generate innovative ideas and strategies that will help me achieve higher goals. I have won many daily advertisements contracts and five contracts for special editions too in my company. I have been able to improve my company’s revenue by 30 percent year-on-year.

Hint: Talk about your career goals in life, your skills, strengths, and experiences through providing one or two sentences for each letter of S-T-A-R.

• Why do you want to work for this company?

I understand that the company requires a qualified project leader to lead the team in the latest software technology. As mentioned in my resume, I have many certificates showing the various areas in which I specialize. I use my spare time to expand my knowledge so that I am always updated with the current trend in technology. I have always been able to deliver the completed projects on time, irrespective of any critical situation. I have raised the revenue by 27 percent for my company, and have bagged many new contracts too. I believe I have the experience and qualifications required to fit into the company as a project leader. The values and endeavours of the company are high and I am well equipped to meet the challenges of the position, which have motivated me to apply for the job.
Hint: Highlight your impressions about the company and your preference for the company’s values and endeavours to prove that you are the right fit for the job.

• Did you experience any disagreeable situations with your co-workers and how did you iron it out?

I had to complete an important project and there was a bitter rivalry going on between two of my co-workers. This was hindering the completion of my project and I knew that more could be achieved under a pleasant atmosphere. I talked out the situation between both my colleagues, ironed out their differences and was able to create a harmonious atmosphere that helped in completing the project smoothly with unity. My supervisor appreciated my effort to bring in unity within my team and my ability to complete it with the best results.
Hint: Make sure you give importance to the role you played in that situation, not that of the team.

• What was the best strategy that you have used to further your company’s goals?

I was asked to improve the customer base for the company. I immediately set a goal of an increase of 40 percent for the next quarter. I collected various data about my customers. I ensured that I had a good interaction with my customers. I reached out to new customers and brought back customers who had left. By the end of that quarter, I was able to improve my customer base by more than 40 percent, which was appreciated by my superiors.
Hint: Be specific and precise, not vague. Highlight achievements.

• Did you experience any situation when you were not able to meet your client’s deadline?

There was one situation when I was given a complex project and a short duration. There was a huge delay because the data that I required from my client was being delayed. I, however, proceeded with much enthusiasm as I understood the challenge involved. Though the data required for the project kept trickling in at a slow pace, I completed the other aspects of the project. The last piece of data, however, went beyond the deadline and I had to submit the project. I gave various provisions to include the data within the project and was much satisfied that I had completed it from my side. My client was much impressed by my work.

Hint: Do not outline your faults, but highlight how you were able to solve the problem successfully with the desired result.

• Have you ever experienced a situation when you were not in perfect tune with your senior leader?

While working in the accounting department, my senior leader was a bit uptight about the auditing deadline. I was blamed for a few errors that were present in the accounting sheet, especially as I was new to the office. I did not immediately respond but looked into the accounting sheet. There were a few changes that had to be made. Though the fault was not mine, I quickly located the error, made the changes and submitted the accounts almost immediately. My senor officer was very impressed and praised me for rectifying the error fast and for not bring rebuffed by the accusation. Later, I learned through another colleague that my senior officer had been the cause of the error.

Hint: Be positive about yourself.

• Give me an example when you were faced with an unexpected situation and how you turned it around.

We were working on a proposal to get a major project sanctioned by a new client. We were well-equipped and had it ready on our digital device. However, just as we were ready to present our proposal, the audio connections in the client’s room failed. We were unable to use our digital device. However, I was well-versed in the entire layout of the proposal, I got up and elaborated on the various details, the logic behind it and the benefits of applying the logic in that project. The client was impressed by my logical presentation and the clarity of my thoughts. I was able to get the deal done for my company. My superiors appreciated my logical presentation that helped to clinch the deal.

Hint: Emphasize on your strengths and how it helped you pave through the situation

• Can you tell me about a time when you worked beyond your call of duty?

While working as a team on a project, we had the work divided between us. However, my colleague was finding it a bit difficult to finish his part of the task, as he was working on another project too. Apart from completing my work, I had to assist my colleague too. I put in some extra time, completed my work, helped him out and the project was presented without any delay. I had to work extra hours, but as I shouldered most part of the work, the project was successfully completed.

Hint: Show your enthusiasm for your job and the ability to handle all situations.

• If you have a very troublesome customer, do you think you can handle her effectively without upsetting the customer?

As a receptionist working in a large organization, I have to handle incoming calls, reply to emails, answer the phone, make fresh customer updates and answer my boss, all at the same time. Handling irate customers on the phone or directly is the most important part of my job. I keep my calm and reply in the most polite manner. I am known to handle the most troublesome customer, and all such customers are usually shoved on me as I am known to be patient, soft-spoken and can soothe fraught nerves easily.

Hint: Be to the point.

• What is your biggest weakness?

Project managers usually prefer ordinary and regular projects, but I love challenging jobs which is my weakness. Challenging jobs are more difficult to crack. But I spend extra time and devote myself to the difficult task until I solve it. Sometimes this disturbs my other work. However, I make sure that I complete the task on time and finish other regular office work too.

Hint: Frame your weakness positively and communicate your strength.

• Time for YOUR interview prep

The STAR format is easily explained so that you understand how questions are asked and how you can answer citing various real-life examples. Star methodology helps you elaborate on how you handle real-life situations

Identify questions that begin with

• Describe a situation in which you…
• Give me a specific example of a time…
• Tell me how you used your skill to…
• Tell me about a situation when you…

Here is one structure for you broken down into details:

“Can you tell me about a particular time when you had to work under enormous pressure”?

Here the STAR methodology is used to reply in the most satisfying manner. Each letter of the acronym is explained in this real-life situation to provide an apt reply.

Situation: A crucial project had to be completed on time, but my manager had to avail leave due to some emergency health issues and I was the best alternative to take the lead in that situation.

Task: I completed the task in a stressful situation using leadership skills. I got the work done on time, within a limited time frame. The task was accomplished.

Action Taken: I first evaluated the work at hand and worked out the best method to solve it. I then motivated my group to speed up work and allotted them specific tasks and time limits. This was the action taken.

Result of my work: I completed the task by dedicating more time to it and completed it successfully with good teamwork. My dedication towards the job and accomplishment was observed by my supervisor and I was shouldered with further responsible work that eventually earned me a promotion and pay increase.

You can use this framework to prepare for how you structure the answers for your interview questions.

Hints

• With practice and preparation, you will not be overwhelmed in any situation and you can respond aptly.
• Be precise, be clear and to the point.
• Don’t stammer and be calm when you answer, to impress your interviewer.
• Use only relevant aspects, be simple in your response and avoid negative remarks.
• Use STAR methodology

The situation, Task, Action, and Result will prepare you for any job interview. You can use this. We hope this has provided you with the support you need to be prepared mentally to address such interview questions.

Breathe! You got this!

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