Employers use behavioral questions to evaluate a candidate’s experiences in determining the applicant’s potential for success. Behavioral questions will center around skills, qualities, and abilities important for success on the job. It is common for employers to ask prospective candidates behavioral questions during an interview.
This provides an opportunity for the candidate to share their skills, articulate the value they bring to the organization, highlight their experiences, and share their personal brand of who they are to the employer. It is essential to use the S.T.A.R. Method when responding to behavioral questions in an interview to showcase one’s skills, strengths, and experiences.
For this assignment, you are expected to write three behavioral stories implementing the S.T.A.R. Method. Students can use past experiences to create their own behavioral stories from past or current experiences, such as internships, class projects/assignments, volunteer opportunities, employment, leadership experiences, etc., to formulate their responses.
On the next page, there are examples of behavioral questions employers might ask during an interview along with the responses incorporating the S.T.A.R. Method to these questions. Please implement the S.T.A.R. Method into your behavioral responses by completing the S.T.A.R. Method Worksheet. Please view the S.T.A.R. Method formula below to help you formulate your interview responses for further guidance.
Table 1.1
(S)Situation / (T) Task (A)Action
Explain the setting in detail and setting the tone for the experience.
S.T.A.R. Method:
Describe actions taken to resolve the problem or conflict. This should be your key focus area.
(R)Results
Give conclusion, resolution, or lesson learned from the situation/experience
1. Tell me about a time you worked on a team environment and you encountered conflict. How did you handle it?
Skill Demonstrated: Communication and problem-solving skills
Situation/Task: I was working in a team of five in my Liberal Studies class. One of our team members continually failed to show up for group meetings or turn in assignments.
Action: After talking with other group members, I approached the team member to find out more about their lack of participation. After finding out that they had a family illness they were dealing with, we worked out a plan for them to contribute to the project, but on a smaller scale.
Result: Our team bonded after understanding the team member’s situation. The team member, after our discussion, contributed significantly to the assignment. We received an A on the project!
2. Describe an experience involving a deadline. What methods did you use and were you able to accomplish the task on time?
Skill Demonstrated: Time-management skills and Communication
Situation/Task: This semester I had several projects and assignments in my classes. My timemanagement skills allow me to balance my extracurricular activities as a student-athlete and maintain a 3.8 GPA in my academic studies.
Action: At the beginning of the semester, I utilize my planner to prioritize assignments and projects for different classes. I can complete deadlines in advance because of my ability to multitask and communicate when I need help. For example, I take the initiative to visit my professors during office hours to ask questions for more clarification on assignments.
Result: My determination and time-management skills strengthened my ability to receive a high passing grade for my courses. I received a 3.8 GPA this semester, which demonstrates my strong work ethic in all my projects.
3. Describe the most significant written document, report, or presentation you have completed? And why were you successful?
Skill Demonstrated: Organizational skills
Situation/Task: In my public speaking course, I had the opportunity to work with three classmates on a group project. The group met throughout the semester to assign all group members different tasks to meet the deadline. As part of the assignment, it was essential for all group members to meet once a week to discuss weekly reports from their assigned sections.
Action: After the group meeting, I took the initiative to create a google document with notes from the group discussion, which included the responsibilities of each member. I kindly asked for everyone’s availability and created a schedule that worked for all group members. I kept a record of all the group meeting discussions, which was helpful for group members to reference.
Result: This allowed the group to use their time productively and effectively in completing the project. Our group received an A on the project! In addition, the professor used our project as an example to show prospective students how to complete this project.
Resources for students:
• Visit the Career Services Website to access the Behavioral Interviewing STAR Responses PDF
• Please reference the S.T.A.R Method Table 1.1 for additional examples
• Visit the Career Services Website to access the Successful Interviewing Guide PDF.
Behavioral Interviewing Rubric (15 pts)
CRITERIA EXCELLENT
Behavioral question #1
Tell me about a time you worked in a team environment and you encountered conflict? How did you handle it?
-Student responses were answered in depth.
-Responses were supported in depth with relevant details by utilizing the S.T.A.R. Method.
AVERAGE UNACCEPTABLE
-Student responses were partially answered and/or lacked being descriptive and detailed.
-Student responses were vaguely answered and/or omitted answering the question.
SCORE: 5 4 3
Behavioral question #2
Describe an experience involving a deadline. What methods did you use and were you able to accomplish the task on time?
-Student includes insightful and critical reflective connections between behavioral questions with previous/current experiences.
-Student responses were answered in depth.
-Responses were supported in depth with relevant details by utilizing S.T.A.R. Method.
-Student makes insightful and critical reflective connections between behavioral questions with previous/current experiences.
SCORE: 5 4 3
Behavioral question #3
Describe the most significant written document, report, or presentation you have completed? And why were you successful?
-Student responses were answered in depth.
- Responses were supported in depth with relevant details and /or by utilizing the S.T.A.R. Method.
-Student makes insightful and critical reflective connections between behavioral questions with previous/current experiences.
-Responses were supported with partial details and/or to some degree utilized the S.T.A.R Method.
-Student makes partial connections between behavioral questions with previous/ current experiences.
-Student responses were partially answered and/or lacked being descriptive and detailed.
-Responses were supported with partial details and/or to some degree utilized the S.T.A.R Method.
-Student makes partial connections between behavioral questions with previous/ current experiences.
-Student responses were partially answered and/or lacked being descriptive and detailed
-Responses were supported with partial details and/or to some degree utilized the S.T.A.R Method.
-Student makes partial connections between behavioral questions with previous/ current experiences.
-Responses were not supported with sufficient details and/or did not utilize the S.T.A.R. Method.
-Student makes no connections between behavioral questions with previous/current experiences.
-Student responses were vaguely answered and/or omitted answering the question.
-Responses were not supported with sufficient details and/or did not utilize the S.T.A.R. Method.
-Student makes no connections between behavioral questions with previous/current experiences.
-Student responses were vaguely answered and/or omitted answering the question.
-Responses were not supported with sufficient details and/or did not utilize the S.T.A.R. Method.
-Student makes no connections between behavioral questions with previous/current experiences.
