INTERVIEW TIPS - 5 Ways to Prepare for Situational Interview Questions
Posted 20th August 2024 • Written by Marlo Lyons on hbr.org/ • • • • • •
To ensure you shine amid a pool of candidates, follow this method for answering situational interview questions with confidence:
1. Use a proven format.
Whether discussing a past experience or offering insights on a hypothetical situation, always answer using the STAR(T) or CARL method. STAR(T) stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. I also add a T for Takeaways. CARL stands for Context, Action, Result, Learning. Formatting your answers in one of these structured frameworks will ensure you’re communicating essential information concisely.
2. Focus on how your experience aligns with the job description.
Once of my clients, currently a lawyer transitioning to the role of COO, has spent his entire career in the legal field. Despite the technical nature of his legal background, his experience extends beyond the legal realm. As a shareholder in a firm, he actively participated in various operational functions, including strategic planning, P&L management, facilities management, training, and engaging in projects focused on organizational transformation and continuous improvement.
Although operations constituted only around 5% of his overall responsibilities as a lawyer, all of his situational interview answers highlight his proficiency in operational matters. Most importantly, he adeptly draws connections for the interviewer, illustrating how his diverse experiences align with the requirements outlined in each COO job description. For example, he highlights his experience in developing, implementing, and tracking KPIs to measure and report on the firm’s operational performance for the board, as well as his leadership of continuous improvement initiatives, including optimizing workflows between lawyers and paralegals, which resulted in increased efficiency and organizational effectiveness. Further, he touches on how his legal expertise would bring unique value to the position, citing examples such as his ability to review vendor agreements and other contracts without having to use costly outside counsel.
3. Tailor your stories to your audience.
Consider your audience when determining how much detail to add to your stories. For example, you might simplify technical language for a recruiter but include technical details for the hiring manager, who will want to know you perform the work and not just oversee it. Adjust your narrative throughout the interview process based on who you’re talking to.
4. Follow the two-minute rule.
Keep your answers concise, adhering to the “two-minute rule,” which means all answers should be under two minutes. Unfortunately, interviewers will eliminate candidates who cannot demonstrate the ability to simplify complex information or separate important from unimportant information. Practice your answers aloud and time yourself, refining them as necessary to be clear and focused.
5. Ask for feedback.
At the end of your answer to the question, always ask the interviewer, “Did that give you a clear understanding of how I would handle [the situation asked about]?” Or “Do you need any further details on that answer?” If the interviewer asks a follow-up question, listen carefully, then answer the exact question in three to five sentences. Continue to be concise and direct.
Anticipating and preparing answers in writing to the most common situational questions — such as how you solved a big problem, aligned stakeholders on a project, influenced someone to think a different way, worked with difficult personalities, or met a tight deadline — will ensure your answers are crisp and clear. Knowing exactly how you will approach common situational questions will help you stay calm and focused on highlighting how your unique strengths and experience make you the perfect candidate for the job.
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