STAR Interviewing Technique Collection Web Articles drHo.doc

Page 4. STAR Interviwing Technique - Collection of Web ArticlesSTAR Interviwing Technique - Collection of Web ArticlesContentsSTAR Interviwing Technique - Collection of Web Articles1Behavioral Interviewing with STAR Method1- An introduction to STAR as an interviewing skill (MIT web site1)1Answering Interview Questions with STAR Method2(Sentient Recruitment Web Site2)2Example3Comment from Dr. Ho3Behavioral Interviewing with STAR Method- An introduction to STAR as an interviewing skill (MIT web site1)Read important comment from Dr. Ho at the end of this example regarding a flaw in the example.STAR means providing a situation, describing the tasks defined, the actions taken, and the results attained. It employs the principle that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Consequently, more employers are using this form of job interviewing technique to hire their employees.1. Provide a situation from your experience that fits the interviewers question. Clearly state the circumstances and be sure they relate to the question. How did the project originated? Who has done it before? What were the previous deficiencies and limitations? Did you initiate anything?2. Describe the tasks that resulted from the situation. This is where you can demonstrate your skill in analysis and planning. Describe how plans change during the course of the project. 3. Next, describe the actions or steps you took to complete the tasks. Give very specific details of what you did and how you did it. Explain the difficulties you overcame, resources required, co-operation needed, etc. These are the indicators on how you will behave in similar situations with a new employer.4. Finally, provide the results. This is where you will provide your prospective employer your potential impact on the company. Show your accomplishments in solving a problem others were not able, in coming up with a new algorithm（算法）, in developing a new methods, in discovering an unknown phenomenon, in making an experiment more reproducible, etc.Example1. Situation During my internship last summer, I was responsible for managing various events.2. Task I noticed that attendance at these events had dropped by 30% over the past three years and wanted to do something to improve these numbers.3. Action I designed a new promotional packet to go out to the local community businesses. I also included a rating sheet to collect feedback on our events and organized internal round table discussions to raise awareness of the issue with our employees.4. Result We used some of the wonderful ideas we received from the community, made our internal systems more efficient and visible and raised attendance by 18% the first year.1 Taken directly from /career/guide/star.html accessed 6 November 2010Blued italics in the above are added by Dr. HoComment from Dr. Ho to improve your STARAccording to my judgment, there is a flaw in this example. The answer in the results portion said, Used some of the wonderful ideas In using the STAR method, remember to give examples for everything. A few of the wonderful ideas should be given. Answering Interview Questions with STAR Method(Sentient （有知觉的） Recruitment Web Site2)The STAR method is:Read important comment from Dr. Ho at the end of this example regarding a flaw in the second example.1. S is Situation Sets the scene, background2. T is Task or Target Specifics of what is required, when, where, who3. A is Action What you did, skills used, behavior demonstrated, special characteristics4. R is Result Outcome, what happened?The STAR method technique will enable you to answer tough work related questions (not limited to job interviews) in a subtly（敏锐的，精巧的）, compelling and powerful manner.People like hearing stories, facts are easier to remember if wrapped in a story, stories tend not to be interrupted; stories are an ancient proven method of getting a message across! Listeners will remember more of your answers, and the messages within them, yet your message will be delivered in a friendly likable style. As far as job interviewing is concerned, your success ratio will go off the scale.How to build a STAR method StoryA Star story should be about 2 minutes long, and delivered with energy and enthusiasm about a real experience you have had (it does not have to be a work experience, as long as it describes a relevant skill or behaviour).ExampleQuestion: Have you ever lead a team before? This is another reason why the STAR method is so powerful. The above question is a terrible closed question. You could answer “yes” or “yes” on three separate occasions” and move quickly onto the next question. However, Leadership is an important skill, and you must not miss this chance to shine. Many would give the easy answer here, but you have a great chance to impress, and do all the interviewers work for them.Let us build a STAR method story answer1. Situation “Yes, a relevant example happened at my last company, where I was initially a software developer. I was in a team of six software developers, developing a new finance module for our core accounting product.” 2. Task “The project was critical as launch dates had been set with a lot of sales and marketing investment riding on the product being ready. However the project was behind schedule, when our team leader unfortunately became ill, and had to be out for an extended period of time. 3. Action I had been the sports team captain at school, where I loved the challenge and responsibility of leadership. So I volunteered to stand in, and by using my technical analysis skills, spotted a few small mistakes made in the initial coding, that were causing the sporadic errors, and slowing us down. I then negotiated with our product director a small bonus incentive for the team, and budget for two pizza evenings, so we could pull a couple of late night shifts to correct the coding and catch up with the critical project landmarks. 4. Result Though this took us 1.5% over budget, the software was delivered on time with a better than target fault tolerance. The project was seen as a great success as the additional project cost was minimal compared to the costs of delaying the launch, and the negative affect on our product branding. The team where delighted with the extra bonus and I have now been officially promoted to team leader as a result.You need to practice your answers aloud, to ensure its continuity and that you do not go over 2 minutes. The example above not only answers the leadership question asked, but also conveys that you have other skills and behaviors. I cannot stress how valuable learning this question answering technique will be for you. Life changing may sound like an exaggeration, but if you do not know it Yes, I feel life changing is an accurate description of what this can do for you.2 Taken directly from /star-method.html Accessed 6 November 2010Comment from Dr. Ho to improve your STARAccording to my judgment, there is a flaw in this second sample as well. The answer in the actions p