Interviews can be daunting, especially when applicants are unsure of the direction they may take. Mastering strategies for effective interviewing can help you navigate this challenge with confidence. To excel in behavioral interviews, it’s crucial to use proven methods that help structure your responses.
In our latest blog, we explore three evidence-proven interview techniques—STAR, CAR, and SOAR methods—that enhance your interviewing skills and effectively communicate your achievements.
The Situational-Task-Action-Result (STAR) Method
The STAR method is a key component of strategies for effective interviewing. It offers a structured approach to answering behavioural interview questions, such as “Describe a situation when you faced a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.” It helps you provide clear, concise, and relevant examples for these types of questions.
- Situation: Set the stage by describing context where you performed a task or faced a challenge at work. Provide a personal experience, ideally last two to three years.
- Task: Explain the actual task or challenge that was involved.
- Action: Detail the specific steps you took to address the challenge.
- Result: Describe the outcome(s) of your actions and quantify them if you can.
Example:
- Situation: In my previous role, my team faced a backlog of applications in addition to a surge of new applications that needed to be processed within a short timeframe.
- Task: I coordinated the team to ensure we processed all applications efficiently within the given timeframe.
- Action: I organized daily team check-ins, redistributed workloads, and provided support where needed.
- Result: We completed work on time and exceeded licensee expectations, resulting in a 20% overall satisfaction rate with stakeholders when we conducted our annual survey.
The Context-Action-Result (CAR) Method
Similar to the STAR method, The CAR Method helps you answer behavioral questions by outlining the Context, the Action you took, and the Result of your actions.
- Context: Describe the situation or challenge you faced.
- Action: Explain the steps you took to address it.
- Result: Describe the outcome(s), quantifying them if you can.
Example:
- Context: Our Council focused on advocating for the profession, while we prioritized public protection through regulation. This led to major conflicts.
- Action: As Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, I proposed and subsequently implemented a new training program for current and future Council members during onboarding.
- Result: Tensions between the Council and staff noticeably decreased, and we could work together much more effectively. This was especially evident during our strategic planning process. We were able to develop a strategic plan fully aligned with our mandate. Council approved it 35 days faster than in previous strategic planning processes.
The Situation, Obstacles, Actions, and Results (SOAR) Method
This method structures your response by focusing on the Situation, Obstacles, Actions, and Results. Just as in the two other methods discussed above, this approach helps you effectively communicate and analyze your experiences.
- Situation: Set the scene for your answer.
- Obstacle: Identify any challenges you encountered.
- Action: Describe the actions you took to overcome the challenge.
- Result: Explain the positive outcomes of your actions.
Example:
- Situation: We were facing a significant messaging and branding challenge.
- Obstacle: The public we’re mandated to protect lacks an understanding of who we are and what our role is.
- Action: I led a public stakeholder outreach process to determine the main challenges with our current branding and messaging, the results of which were used to inform the re-branding and accompanying strategic communications plan to improve public awareness and understanding.
- Result: The follow-up survey showed a 57% improvement in public awareness and understanding of our organization’s mandate.
Preparing for other interview questions
Overall, do not forget to prepare for other interview questions that usually come up. Check out our guide on Top Interview Questions and Answers to Secure Your Dream Job so you can be prepared for all aspects of the interview.
In summary, the STAR, CAR, and SOAR methods provide structured approaches for answering behavioral interview questions. By outlining the Situation, Task/Obstacle, Actions, and Results, you can present relevant examples of your skills and achievements. Using these strategies for effective interviewing will help you communicate your strengths effectively and help you exceed your interview performance.
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