|
Career: Acing the Situational Interview
The phone rings. It’s a recruiter calling to let you know that all that hard work on your resume paid off and they’re inviting you to come in for an interview. You’re psyched up, until you hear about this new situational interviewing taking place -- now, you’re psyched out.
While situational interviews may be drastically different from what you know of standard interviews, they’re not impossible to conquer. Instead of a recruiter asking you factual questions -- such as, “So, what makes you experienced for this position?” or emotional questions like, “What would your coworkers say about you?” -- they ask situational questions. In situational interviews, the recruiter is looking to glean how a candidate handles real work situations, his or her problem-solving style and what the potential employee’s personality is really like.
To prepare for a situational interview, it’s not important to study your resume, but do study the buzz words in the job description. Look for qualifications that stand out, like time management, ability to multitask, autonomy, etc. These are key traits you’ll want to convey during your interview, and you’ll have to do so by illustrating the characteristics and giving specific examples, instead of just saying you possess them.
Snelling Staffing Services has compiled a list of some of the most common situational interview questions that a candidate is likely to be asked.
1. Describe a challenging work situation. What did you do to solve the problem, and what was the outcome?
2. Tell me about a time when you had to think on your feet and reach a decision quickly.
3. In your experience speaking with clients and customers, tell me about an instance when communication became challenging and how you overcame that.
4. Give an example of a time you were able to be amiable and warm as a communicator.
5. Describe a time when you were successful working in an unstructured environment.
6. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a co-worker and how you resolved it.
7. Can you describe a situation in which you had to think outside the box to solve a problem for a co-worker, client or customer?
8. Describe an instance in which you have disagreed with instruction or criticism from your boss and how you approached the situation.
9. Tell me about a time in which you had to really manage your time well, how you went about doing so, and how you were able to meet your goal.
10. Can you tell me about an instance in which you were able to positively motivate others?
In preparation for the interview, candidates should read through situational questions and focus on coming up with multiple scenarios from work history to illustrate his or her abilities. Tell your stories aloud. Keep your answers on target, make the scenarios relevant to the question and focus on the positive outcome. To structure your answer, focus on the following order: situation, action and outcome. If you keep the order in mind, the story should naturally progress to become well-rounded and on point.
Ask a friend or family member to ask you questions throughout the days or weeks leading up to your interview so that you can become comfortable telling your stories. Focus on keeping your answers positive and avoid the standard interview pitfalls. Never use profanity, bad-mouth a former or current employer or lie.
Even if you’re not interviewing now, keep a running list of examples from your current employment to draw upon down the road. Once you’ve gotten your stories straight, they should be just as familiar as your resume.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Snelling Staffing Services delivers temporary, career and professional staffing solutions to companies, with almost 200 offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.snelling.com.
More Articles
Feeling Underappreciated at Work? Demand Some Recognition!
If you’re feeling underappreciated at work, you’re not alone. Nearly 45 percent of global employees feel that their managers do not recognize them nor encourage them to use their talents
Acing the Situational Interview
The phone rings. It’s a recruiter calling to let you know that all that hard work on your resume paid off and they’re inviting you to come in for an interview. You’re psyched up, until you hear about this new situational interviewing taking place -- now, you’re psyched out. Here's everything you need to know so you score a great situational interview.
How to Ace a Phone Interview
More and more companies are using phone interviews before bringing job candidates in and you have to be memorable - not just with what you say, but how you say it. Those “ums” and “likes” you use in regular conversation could count against you like minutes ticking away in a parking meter.
Taking Control Over Your Public Speaking Fears
When various news agencies and psychological journals compile lists of common phobias, “sociophobia” -- the fear of being judged or criticized by others -- rates high. Specifically, the phobia of public speaking is one terror which many people cannot shake.
If You Work so You Can Travel, Why Not Travel for Work?
Do you still dream of exploring the world? Maybe seeing other places excites you or learning about
other cultures gives you a better understanding of yourself and your place in the world. If you’ve
always wanted to travel more, it can happen by choosing a career that will take you there.
You could teach English as a second language (ESL), join the Peace Corps, work on a cruise ship, be
a travel writer or photographer, or choose a career that embraces a little of each of these.
Don’t Compromise: You Can Find a Job That Fits Your Values
A coming shortage of skilled workers means the market is about to turn in favor of employees. Knowing this, many qualified professionals are now evaluating employment opportunities based on more than just salary, benefits and security. They are also seeking companies that respect, nurture and share their personal values.
Career Advancement For Tomorrow
While there are many tools candidates use to find a job -- recruiting Web sites, traditional ads,
or headhunters -- one of the best may be a temporary position.
Is a New Job in Your Future?
How to Evaluate Your Current Position and What You Should Expect.
Employees have raised the bar when it comes to job satisfaction, expecting their employers to
offer more -- whether it is salary, respect, work-life balance or even vacation time. If they’re
not getting what they feel they deserve, they might join the 30 percent of employees who are not
only open to new job opportunities, but who are actively looking for a new position
Career Mission: Find a Better Job
With every new year, changing jobs often tops the list of personal resolutions. But with so many
career paths to choose from, which offer the greatest opportunities? From civil engineers to
regulatory affairs associates, tomorrow’s hot jobs are within your reach.
Aerospace and Aviation Are More Than Modest Job Prospects
Are you an engineering student who is surveying the career landscape for the best job prospects and opportunities? If so, look to aerospace and aviation.
The New Office Environment Encourages Collaboration
Although people still spend approximately two-thirds of their day working individually, more so now than ever, businesses are relying on teamwork and creative collaboration to generate success. As this collaborative approach to business continues to grow, the landscape of the typical office is evolving to reflect this change.
| 