INTERVIEW PREP – Compilation
STAR Method
When replying to a question use the STAR Method.
1. Situation- Provide context to your story. Determine 2 or 3 critical details that can help your
interviewer understand what happened. Basically, describe the importance of what
happened.
2. Task - Explain what now your goal was to help resolve the situation.
3. Action - Tell your interviewer what steps you took to accomplish the challenge. This part
should be the longest.
4. Result - Describe the outcome.
5. Be Positive - Always finish with a Great ending to the issue. Team First effort throughout the
whole story.
“Walk me through your process”
1. If asked “Walk me through your process”. Create step list of how for Ex. You did a recon
from prepping, to doing to completing. OR How you go about figuring out a problem or
process you created.
2. What is your weakness? (Answer: Taking on too much, while not asking for help. Also, not
liking to take breaks due to fear of loss of Momentum, which is nonsensical.)
3. “Give me an example of one of your Data recons” (Write out detail)
How to Convince people to act on your great ideas
1 - Give people a reason to listen to you - Due to people being busy their first thing that comes
to their mind is, should they even give you the time to listen. You have to convince them to give
you the time. How do you do that? See #2 below.
2 - Show people that you truly care about them & their needs / concerns - Empathy. Help
them see that you care. In order to persuade you have to understand their challenges. To do so
you MUST ask Open-Ended questions to expand the conversation toward the area you want to
go to.
When do you know you are making progress? They will begin to share more with you.
NOTE: Listen with intent. More questions than speaking.
3 - Give people a reason to trust you - Earn their Trust that you care, by following up from your
questions by showing them your understanding about their concerns. This will build connection
that is needed to create that trust that not only you understand their concern, but that you also
can see feel their concerns and what the effects maybe.
4 - Present your ideas in terms of pros & cons that will connect you w/ your audience. - This is
where you need to substantiate your case. This is where you match the concerns to the
solutions.
NOTE: This is where you provide to them the answers to their “What’s in it for me?” & “What’s
in it for the organization?” questions. Use this time to provide rationale for your ideas,
substantiate your proposals and fully justify your recommendations.
5 - Define the actions steps & clarify the process. - At this stage you’ve captured the ear and
maybe the full trust, but here you must now start providing the action plan with details.
NOTE: You cannot leave people motivated without specifying how we’re going to accomplish
our Goal. Providing these details will help reduce doubt, fear or ambiguity.
“Tell me about yourself”
1. Make the story compelling.
2. IMPORTANT:
A. Follow this Format:
1) Present –
- (Ex.) “I’m currently working for Company A as a Service Rep. I’ve recently been
leading a project that reduces the time spent on manual processes by
implementing automated chatbots that responses bd to simple questions. I is n
addition to this project, I spend a lot of time on the phone with clients,
answering questions, assisting in navigating our website.” --
- Present Statement =
A) High Level view of current role. Also, means stating Title, Role & projects
worked on.
B) Tie skills to new role.
C) Start with your relevant experience before shifting to your next role and be-
sure to highlight your transferable skills that apply to new role.
D) Share key accomplishments.
E) Tie to what the job needs.
2) Past –
- Do not reiterate the timeline on your resume that the reader can obviously see,
but instead focus on your professional ambition.
- (Ex.) “I’ve always enjoyed working with people and helping others, so I went to
school and received my associate’s degree in communication studies. While in
school one of my favorite classes was technical writing, which has become one
of my greatest strengths. My first job out of college was a technical writer at
Company A, which I enjoyed, although there was very little collaboration with
colleagues, and I spent 95% of my time working alone. After Company A, I
briefly took on a Sales role at Company B, where I learned a lot in the fast-paced
environment. The opportunity at my current Company, Company C, became
available, and I was able to combine my passion for technical writing,
collaboration, and helping people.”
(NOTE: Here you provided by starting a professional Timeline about the roles
you’ve led and MOST IMPORTANTLY you highlighted the skills you attained and
the work that motivates me.
- Past Statement =
A) What motivated your career shift? (This is for if you left your field.)
B) BONUS TIP: Show how your experience is a different industry provides you
with a uniquely valuable perspective.
3) Future –
- Make it strategic and align your personal goals to the company’s goals. Here
you must FULLY research company from their Mission Statement, to services
and business news.
- (Ex.) “Looking forward, I’m seeking more leadership opportunities as I think it’s
important to grow and be challenged. After managing several successful
projects in my current role, I found a new passion in leadership and mentorship.
I also want to be part of a company that contributes to the community, and I
was so impressed by how your company organizes multiple volunteer events
throughout the year.”
- Future Statement =
A) This is about Why do you want this role. In the sample above you explained
your passion, which show key attributes that are tied to role.
B) Mention Company research. And tie it to what you’re looking for.
C) Speak about what excites you. This makes you more relatable.
3. Conclusion Statement –
A. (Ex.) “And that’s what brings me here today for this awesome opportunity.”
B. Important Final Tips - A
1) Avoid reciting your resume.
2) Exclude personal information, UNLESS you know you can connect it to the position.
3) Prepare concise response.
4) Be Human. Don’t be robotic.
5) Make eye contact.
6) “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Interview Reminder Notes
1) Write out more structure of what you want.
2) Explain your journey from March 2020 to Today.
3) Let them speak. Then pause THEN answer.
4) ALWAYS SPEAK POSITIVELY
5) Slooooooow Down and feel you’re the Top Free Agent.
6) Write down in-depth Strengths & Weakness.
7) How to Assist Clients Rules -
A) Listen
B) Empathize
C) Transparency
D) Provide Results not to prove who is Right or Wrong, but to Earn their Trust.
8) Foundation -
A) Ask Questions.
B) Solve Problems.
C) Create Opportunities.