Work Strategically!
"10 Secrets for Career Change Success"
Discover why midlife is the PERFECT
time to change careers!
"Exactly what I needed to take the stress and chaos out of my job search!"
Did you know...?
†Lee Hecht Harrison study
People
who work with a Career Coach find jobs 15 - 46% faster than those who don't!†
who work with a Career Coach find jobs 15 - 46% faster than those who don't!†
Is it time to get serious about YOUR job search?
Request your free
Career Strategy Session with
Kim Avery,
The Midlife
Career Change Coach.
Your free 30 minute session will focus on YOUR goals, and a strategy to pursue them with confidence!
Career Strategy Session with
Kim Avery,
The Midlife
Career Change Coach.
Your free 30 minute session will focus on YOUR goals, and a strategy to pursue them with confidence!
†Lee Hecht Harrison study
Behavioral Interviews
If you want to know how successful someone will be in the future, look at their past. This is the basis of all behavioral interviews.
In fact, research shows that 55% of the time the past really is a good predictor of future job performance. Contrast that to the 10% success rate of traditional interviewing and it's clear why this type of interview is on the rise.
Typical questions usually begin something like this:
- Describe a time when you...
- Give me an example of...
- How have you handled...
- In what way did you help your employer...
- What specific goals did you achieve when you...
However, the question is phrased, always remember that the interviewer is screening your answer through only one grid, "Why should I hire you instead of someone else?"
Respond to each of these questions with a success story following this format:
S.T.A.R.
1. S/T - Situation or Task: When asked one of the questions above, answer with an example that best highlights your expertise. Put the story into context and briefly tell it from beginning to end. What happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it occur? What was the successful conclusion?
Use hard data, such as numbers or percentages, whenever possible.
2. A - Action: Relate the specific action you took to tackle the project or respond to the situation.
3. R - Results: Companies are in business to make money. Thus, their bottom-line concern is always their R.O.I. {return on investment}. Delineate the measurable outcome that was achieved. How much money was made or saved? How was efficiency increased? What other people or departments benefitted from this success? How did this success move the company ahead of the competition?
The range of behavioral interview questions you may be asked is almost limitless. The best way to prepare is to arm yourself with a collection of success stories that can be used in a variety of situations. Then evaluate each one.
- Is it specific? Have you included precise time, date, and details?
- Does it include desirable competencies? Have you picked an incident that highlights skills this employer needs?
- Is it measurable? Have you described the results with specific numbers and evidence of a measurable impact?
Behavioral interviews are on the rise. Arrive at the interview with your quiver full of success arrows and you will clearly out score the competition.
For more great resources, follow these links:
Job Interview
Job Interview Quiz
Free Interview Answers
Common Interview Questions
Interview Illegal Questions - A List
Illegal Interview Questions - How to Handle
Job Interview Etiquette
Interview Thank You Letters
Sample Interview Thank You Letter