Use the STAR Technique for Answering Behavioral Interview Questions
When answering behavioral questions in an interview (“Tell me about a time when...” or “Give me an example of a time when you . . .”), it’s easy to include too much detail, miss the point, and forget to include the result or impact of what you did. The STAR technique provides a concise and thorough framework for organizing responses to behavioral interview questions. Practice your responses to behavioral questions using the STAR technique to tell your stories smoothly and precisely directed to the employer’s questions.
Describing specific situations and experiences adds credibility to your responses regarding your qualifications for the position. As you recount your experiences, be sure to touch on the STAR points: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Situation:
A class project, student activity, volunteer experience, or job, etc.
Example: As a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a student organization with members . . .
Task:
Goal, problem to be solved, or improvement to be made, etc.
Example: . . . I suggested establishing a mentoring program for area junior high school students to increase their interest in math and science and as a way for engineering students to explore careers in teaching.
Action:
Planning and implementation done to reach a goal, or solve a problem, etc.
Example: I formed a committee to research the idea and then develop procedures, policies, and marketing plans. To recruit participants, we designed a direct-mail postcard to send to all mechanical engineering students. After presenting our proposal to a local middle school science teacher, we were welcomed into the classroom.
Result:
The outcome, impact, influence, or change resulting from your action, etc.
Example: Ten pairs of students were active in the mentoring program last year. As seniors, two engineering graduates entered the teaching profession, and the junior high students started an engineering club after school. We have already started organizing this year’s program with the same teacher.
Common Behavioral Interview Questions
1. Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem.
2. Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
3. Give an example of a goal you didn't meet and how you handled it.
4. Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it.
5. Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
6. How do you handle a challenge?
7. Have you been in a situation where you didn't have enough work to do?
8. When you’ve made a mistake, how do you handle it?
9. Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
10. Did you ever make a risky decision? Why? How did you handle it?
To Review:
Situation
Give the backdrop for your story. For example, you might describe your experience as a member of a student cohort, professional organization, volunteer organization, etc.
Task
Explain a problem, project, or question that needed to be solved or an improvement to be made.
Action
Describe what you did to resolve the problem or implement the solution.
Result
Tell the impact or influence of your actions. Interviewers love facts and figures, so if possible, provide quantitative data.