Mastering Interview Techniques with W5 and S.T.A.R.

1. Interview Questions: W5 and S.T.A.R.

2. Interviews • After 7 seconds: assess professionalism (clean, tidy, appropriate clothing) • After 3 minutes: look for strong interpersonal skills – confident, friendly handshake, smile, comfortable eye contact, personalized greeting to interviewers • After 15 minutes – energy level and enthusiasm (voice, attentiveness, posture, self-confidence, body language, facial expressions, body language)

3. Interviews • Remember, after 5+ minutes, most interviewers have made a decision – positive or negative • Once the impression is negative, it is very difficult to get them to change

4. Two common methods for answering interview questions: • For all hypothetical and situational questions • For all behavioural questions

5. S.T.A.R. S – Situation: • Explain the situation involving the action you took • Circumstances surrounding: time, place, who, why T - Task: • What task did you have to manage, problem to solve, emergency to handle? • Who else was involved? A - Action: • What action did you take? • R – Results, benefits, reflection, learning that took place after

6. S.T.A.R. R - Results: • What were the results of your action? • Did anyone benefit? • Who was affected? • What benefit was there to your job, your life? • What did you learn from the experience? • Relate this back to your potential employer’s job offering • Note: This is the part everyone forgets, yet it is considered the most important piece!

7. S.T.A.R. Technique - example • Question: Give us an example of a time when you had to lead a team project. • Answer: • S. (Situation) Yes, for example, at college last semester, I was on a team of four in our Communications and our Ecology courses to complete a case study project.

8. S.T.A.R. Technique - Example • T (Task): The project involved both a researched and written report, but also a team presentation. The team started out well… but then one of our members got ill and could not complete his parts of the project. This happened late in the game, and we had to scramble to complete on time. • A (Action): I had been a sports team captain in high school, where I loved the challenge and responsibility of leadership. So I had volunteered to lead the team. When we got word of the illness, I called the team together and …

9. S.T.A.R. Technique - Example • R (Result): Although it meant more work for the remaining members of the team, I managed to direct the work so that both the report and the presentation were completed on time. Our professor commended our work, especially as three people had not only completed the work of four, but we had surpassed her expectations of the team. The team members said they had enjoyed working with me as their leader. I learned that I have not only the interest, but the capability to be an effective leader. I can bring that interest and that skill to your company.

10. W5 technique • Answers should take approximately 90 seconds • This is the average attention span • 70 seconds to state skill/ knowledge/ ability, and give an example of it by explaining: • What, Who, Where , When, Why and How • 20 seconds to restate skill and outline benefits transferable to the interviewer’s organization

11. W5 technique • For example: “What experience do you have organizing projects?” • Determine what skill is being evaluated (organizational skills) • Statement: “I have developed excellent organizational skills by working on two major projects. The one I will tell you about ended six months ago.”

12. W5 technique • Every statement you make must be true • Example you choose should be one that required similar competency to typical project your potential employer would have you complete • Don’t have a similar one?– • choose an experience from academic, extracurricular, or volunteer activities

13. W5 technique • Describe the what, who, when, where, why and how • Talk about the successful outcome or what you learned from the experience • Choose words that will help the employer visualize you in the experience • E.g. “It was five minutes before closing and the power went out…”

14. W5 Technique • Whenever possible, include positive feedback from supervisors, colleagues, professors, and others to reinforce your accomplishment • Humour can also be an effective tool if used appropriately – • Helps interviewer remember you

15. W5 Technique • Next step is one most people forget! • Tell interviewer what specific benefits or competitive advantage you can bring to the position because of the experience you have just described (i.e. relate to job you seek) • E.g. “As part of your team being formed, I would be able to coordinate…” • Interview Techniques - STAR Method - YouTube

16. S.T.A.R. AND W5: • Always refer back to the requirements of the position • Make a list of your “stories” that illustrate those skills or qualities • Then you have them at your fingertips at an interview • Try to have a repertoire of 8-10 “stories” at minimum