<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve passed the\ntraditional interview and your skills and experience are a\nmatch! What\u2019s next? For many companies the follow up interview\nis the BEHAVIORAL interview. Is it possible to prepare for these\nsituational questions? YES! Possible and critical!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prospective employers use\nthe behavioral interview to determine your future behavior based on how you\nhandled past experiences. What are they looking for with these \u201cTell\nme about a time when\u2026\u201d type questions? They want to know how you handled\nboth setbacks and opportunities. Did you take responsibility or leadership\nfor problem solving? Were you a team player? How well did you communicate\nissues with others? Were you creative or logical in the solution? How\ndid you bounce back?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you ready for these\nquestions? PREPARATION BREEDS CONFIDENCE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To prepare: Research \u2013\nTake Notes \u2013 Practice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Research the company<\/strong> \u2013\nReview the website and understand the mission and values of the\ncompany. What is the culture of the company? Do you have experiences\nprofessionally or personally that demonstrate your fit? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Review the job description\nand list the skills needed<\/strong> – How have you demonstrated\nthese skills in the past? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Write down your story<\/strong> –\nStart with your resume. Review each position and recall your experiences,\nchallenges and obstacles along the way. Also consider your accomplishments,\nrecognitions, promotions or just praise from a former manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many experts recommend\nusing the STAR Method<\/strong> to\nwrite your story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n S –<\/strong>\u00a0Describe the\u00a0SITUATION<\/strong>\u00a0you were in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n T<\/strong> – What\u00a0TASK<\/strong>\u00a0was assigned to you?\u00a0What was the goal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A<\/strong> \u2013 What ACTION<\/strong> did you take to accomplish the\ngoal? <\/p>\n\n\n\n R<\/strong> \u2013 What were the RESULTS<\/strong> of your action? Did you\naccomplish your goal? What did you learn?<\/p>\n\n\n\n STAR Example \u2013 <\/em>(SITUATION) –<\/strong>Years\nago, I started my first marketing role in a new industry. Unfortunately,\nthe manager began an unplanned medical leave that day, and because it was a\nvery small office, I was assigned to train with the outgoing employee whom I\nwas replacing. <\/em>(TASK)<\/strong> –<\/strong><\/em>I had to learn a new system, industry and take\nover client prospects from a disgruntled employee who quickly told me I made a\nmistake leaving my old job for this one. Since it was a sales job, I knew\nI needed a positive outlook, but also needed to know how to use the system and\nfind where everything was located. <\/em>(ACTION) –<\/strong>During\nlunch, I networked with some of the other employees, hoping to get help from\nthem later. I also made a list of questions for my disgruntled friend and\nwas able to learn enough to get started. <\/em>(RESULT) –<\/strong>She\nwas gone by the end of the week. It turned out to be a great job\/company and I\nwent on to a long, successful career in the industry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n