STAR InterviewsHi everyone, over the past year I' ve had two behavioral interviews where the STAR technique was utilized. In both interviews the same questions were asked verbatim but for some reason it' s difficult for me to provide answers giving specific situations and results. I work in HR and have used the STAR technique for interviewing candidates but for some reason I bomb out on the other side of the table. Another thing I noticed is that I tend to do better with one on one interviews as opposed to a panel which occurred with the STAR interviews. Any tips on tackling panel and STAR interviews? I am the opposite where I prefer panel interviews as opposed to one on one. I believe it is because in a panel I do not feel that I need to be as long-winded with my answers. When I am done answering, I can look to the next "panelist" and that indicates my answer is finished. Whereas in one on one interviews I always am made to feel that I need to keep expounding on my answer because there is such a long pause between questions. I cannot answer the other part of your question, because I have one for you. What is the STAR technique? It doesn't matter if you call it a STAR interview or anything else. You get asked questions regarding specific occurrences ("Tell me a time when a subordinate didn't do what they were supposed to and what you did about it.") and are supposed to relate a real, specific story. This is something you should expect in any interview (along with other "standard questions like "what did you like about your last job") and you can practice the answers. I took as many of these questions that I could find, wrote out the answers and practiced them. In some cases you can use the same answer for different questions. Then when asked, you give the practiced answer. This not only helps in your answering the questions but it is also a confidence booster knowing you are prepared for the interview. As for panel interviews, I like them. To me they are more discussion and you can sometimes catch certain aspects of the interaction among the panelists, especially if they are your future managers, peers and subordinates. I've only been on two panel interviews, but I also like them (for reasons that others have mentioned). Panel interviews give me more people to ask questions to. I mean, it is a two way street- not only are they looking to fill a position, but you're looking for a job where you're going to spend 1/3 of your weekdays in. It just gives me more of a chance to get the feel for the place and the people. I'll also agree with Chet- whether they call it a STAR interview or not, any average to decent interviewer not only wants to know your skills and aptitudes, but what you've done in work situations to illustrate them. I agree that practicing really helps. I've also journaled certain things that have happened at work that I'm able to use years later in job interviews. Another thing that I think works well is when they ask you a question such as "Do you take initiative?", I tack on "Tell me an example" in my head, so that I don't forget to give an example in my answer. The answers may be longer than what they are looking for, but at least they are learning not only your skills, but how you use them at work. | |
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Career Tips
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